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:
- Global HDPE prices spike in March, CFR China prices lower than CIF Middle East
- Global polypropylene prices rise significantly in North America and Europe
- Chinese polyolefins export in large volume to India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, and small volume to Africa and South Asia
- Capacity addition in the next five years will increase Chinese polypropylene self-sufficiency to 130%
- Chinese polypropylene overcapacity will be more severe than polyethylene overcapacity
- China imports PVC and PS to meet domestic demand
- Small assets occupied a large percentage of Chinese polypropylene capacity
- Regional polypropylene deficit
What's included
This report contains:
