PODCAST: China polymer markets ‘worst in 25 years’

BARCELONA (ICIS)–China’s polymers are in bad shape as demand collapses amid a big uptick in capacity additions; global markets beware.

• Common Prosperity reforms slow economy
• End to debt-fuelled growth
• Construction sector collapsing
• Aging population, Zero-Covid policy drag growth
• Export markets slow down
• China polymer markets “worst in 25 years”
• Negative China growth forecast 2022 for high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density PE (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP)
• Worst contraction since at least 1990
• China polymer capacity increases rapidly, leading to oversupply, more exports
• China exports overcapacity, falling prices around the world

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior consultant for Asia, John Richardson.

Editor’s note: This podcast is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the presenter and interviewees, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.

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