Insight
Chinese polyolefins resin exports – opportunistic or fundamental?
*Please note that this report only includes an Excel data file if this is indicated in "What's included" below
Report summary
As China becomes self-sufficient and adds significant capacities, the country will actively participate in the international markets, particularly for polypropylene. The industry witnessed a glimpse of Chinese export capabilities in recent global supply constraints in Feb/Mar. For example, China exported 400 kt of polypropylene, which is an increase of 500% and 300% during the same period in 2019 and 2020.
Table of contents
- Executive summary
- Background: Why did Chinese exports of polyethylene and polypropylene increase in Q1-2020?
- Will China become an exporter of polyolefins?
- Will robust demand growth impede Chinese ability to export polypropylene resin over the next five years?
- Learning from other self-sufficient polymers
- What can Chinese producers do?
- Where will Chinese exports go?
Tables and charts
This report includes the following images and tables:
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Global HDPE prices spike in March, CFR China prices lower than CIF Middle EastGlobal polypropylene prices rise significantly in North America and EuropeChinese polyolefins export in large volume to India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, and small volume to Africa and South Asia
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Capacity addition in the next five years will increase Chinese polypropylene self-sufficiency to 130%Chinese polypropylene overcapacity will be more severe than polyethylene overcapacityChina imports PVC and PS to meet domestic demandSmall assets occupied a large percentage of Chinese polypropylene capacityRegional polypropylene deficit
What's included
This report contains:
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