Last year, ICIS estimated that China’s PP capacity exceeding its demand was 6.9m tonnes. This is expected to reach 11.6m tonnes in 2025, which would be an increase of 68%. As recently as 2009, China’s PP capacity was 4.4m tonnes short of local demand.
Asian Chemical Connections
China’s C2 and C3 capacity in 2025 forecast to be 121% and 179% more than local demand
China’s ethylene capacity exceeding demand is forecast to increase by 6.3m tonnes in 2025 – 121% higher
Two connected words of the year for 2025: “Protectionism” and “China”
LOTS OF FOCUS has been on the Trump effect on the US trading relationship with China. But we need to think more broadly than this. I see a significant risk that next year we will see trade tensions increasing between other countries and China for the reasons described in today’s post
The “sound and fury” of new China stimulus and PE and PP spreads
New China stimulus in 2025 seems unlikely to be able to fully address long-term economic challenges
Five personal predictions for chemicals markets in 2025
IT IS THAT time of the year again when analysts need to put their reputations on the line and make forecasts for the following year. So, see above the slide with my five forecasts for 2025 with detailed descriptions in the main text of the post.
China, global chemical trade flows and the need for better analysis
THERE is nothing new in this pattern in the case of some of these polymers. What’s new could be the willingness to absorb Chinese surpluses
Tariffs, infinite improbabilities and US PE exports to China
The US has gained lots of ground in China because of lower import tariffs and its strong production-cost position. What happens next
As you plan for 2025, a reminder of the big shift in market fundamentals
IT IS the gap between earlier expectations of China’s chemicals demand growth and the new growth realities that largely explain record levels of global oversupply.
The developing world outside China to the rescue, but not for a long time
A full recovery next year? If you think this is likely, then think again
China versus the rest of the developing world: The great reordering of polymers demand
IN THE FIRST OF a special series of blog posts, I am going to examine Turkey’s chemicals and polymers demand growth prospects. This will be followed by posts on Vietnam, Mexico, India, Brazil and Indonesia.
These will be amongst the countries in the Developing World ex-China region that will eventually replace China as the main drivers of global chemicals demand.