China’s Styrene Capacity Expansion Continues

China’s Styrene Capacity Expansion Continues

China’s styrene capacity expansion continues in 2017. Four sets of styrene units with total capacity of 735kt have been put into use this year. China’s styrene capacity is expected to reach 8,979kt/a by the end of 2017, up by 8.9% year-on-year. The operating rate of styrene units hits a new high in 2017 in line with high profits. China’s styrene capacity will keep growing fast in the next three years, according to SCI study. Capacity expansion of downstream industries also brisks up. However, some small and medium-sized downstream plants are shut down or running at lower loads due to the strict environmental protection inspection. Downstream industries are faced with a round of shuffle.

How will China’s styrene market supply and demand go against the backdrop of rapidly growing supply and much slower growth of demand? How will foreign suppliers to deal with the growing market share of Chinese-made styrene resources? Will the imported resources from South Korea, Taiwan area and U.S. maintain the cost advantage once China’s anti-dumping conclusion on these resources are established?

2017–2018 China Styrene Market Annual Report will analyze and capture the market state in 2017 and forecast the market up to 2022, based on first-hand data collected by SCI and official data announced by China authorities.