2020 China Styrene Import Volume to Slid
From 2015 to 2018, China’s styrene import volume kept dropping, due to continuous rises in China’s styrene capacity and the anti-dumping investigation. By the end of 2018, China’s styrene import dependence degree decreased to 26%.
In 2019, the import volume of styrene increased slightly to 3,243kt, as China’s styrene capacity did not increase significantly as expected while the demand for styrene grew steadily. During 2019, the structure of China’s styrene import origins stayed stable, and Saudi Arabia was the largest supplier of China’s styrene imports.
In 2020, China’s styrene import volume is predicted to edge down, given domestic rapid capacity expansion, overseas unit turnarounds and the public health event. The export volume would remain at a low level, hampered by global styrene trade barriers and an unobvious competitive advantage in production cost.
