Plastics in Primary Forms Market

The article analyzes the global market for plastics in primary formses, projecting steady growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the next eight years. Detailed data on market performance, trends, and key players are provided, highlighting countries with highest consumption, production, and import volumes. Polyethylene and polypropylene are identified as the major types of plastics in primary forms in terms of volume and value. Key factors driving market growth and pricing trends are also discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for plastics in primary formses worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 579M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1,318.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Plastics in Primary Forms

In 2022, global consumption of plastics in primary formses stood at 500M tons, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 4.2%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global plastics in primary forms market revenue reached $967.8B in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.1%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (104M tons), the United States (53M tons) and India (44M tons), with a combined 40% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +5.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($169.1B), the United States ($103.9B) and India ($74B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 36% of the global market. Japan, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Korea and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +7.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of plastics in primary forms per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (183 kg per person), South Korea (177 kg per person) and Japan (177 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were polyethylene in primary forms (85M tons), polypropylene in primary forms (77M tons) and pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (33M tons), with a combined 39% share of global consumption. Polyolefins other than polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms, urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms, expansible polystyrene in primary forms, polycarbonates (in primary forms), polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters), amino resins, polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms, polyurethanes in primary forms, polymers of styrene in primary forms (excluding polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers), unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, melamine resins in primary forms, phenolic resins in primary forms, plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, non-plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones in primary forms, polymers of vinyl acetate in aqueous dispersion in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms, silicones (in primary forms), urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, cellulose and its chemical derivatives in primary forms, alkyd resins in primary forms, epoxide resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and other vinyl chloride copolymers in primary forms, polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl ester polymers other than vinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms, polyacetals in primary forms, styrene-acrylonitrile (san) copolymers in primary forms, natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, fluoropolymers, other polymers of halogenated olefins in primary forms, vinyl acetate polymers in primary forms other than in aqueous dispersion and ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 61%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for polycarbonates (in primary forms) (with a CAGR of +5.4%), while consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of plastics in primary formses in terms of market size were polyethylene in primary forms ($108.7B), polypropylene in primary forms ($103.7B) and polyolefins other than polypropylene ($58.4B), with a combined 30% share of the global market. Acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms, polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters), urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, polycarbonates (in primary forms), polyurethanes in primary forms, polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), amino resins, expansible polystyrene in primary forms, silicones (in primary forms), petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones in primary forms, polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms, natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms, polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers), urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, cellulose and its chemical derivatives in primary forms, polymers of styrene in primary forms (excluding polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers), phenolic resins in primary forms, epoxide resins, plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, fluoropolymers, melamine resins in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms, non-plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl ester polymers other than vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and other vinyl chloride copolymers in primary forms, alkyd resins in primary forms, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms, polymers of vinyl acetate in aqueous dispersion in primary forms, polyacetals in primary forms, styrene-acrylonitrile (san) copolymers in primary forms, ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms, other polymers of halogenated olefins in primary forms and vinyl acetate polymers in primary forms other than in aqueous dispersion lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 70%.

Silicones (in primary forms), with a CAGR of +6.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consumed products over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Plastics in Primary Forms

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in production of plastics in primary formses, when its volume decreased by -0.1% to 493M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 494M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, plastics in primary forms production contracted to $813.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 10% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $869.8B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (91M tons), the United States (64M tons) and India (37M tons), together comprising 39% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were polyethylene in primary forms (84M tons), polypropylene in primary forms (77M tons) and pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (33M tons), with a combined 39% share of global production. Polyolefins other than polypropylene, urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms, expansible polystyrene in primary forms, polycarbonates (in primary forms), amino resins, polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms, polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers), polyurethanes in primary forms, polymers of styrene in primary forms (excluding polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers), unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, melamine resins in primary forms, phenolic resins in primary forms, plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, non-plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones in primary forms, polymers of vinyl acetate in aqueous dispersion in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms, silicones (in primary forms), urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, cellulose and its chemical derivatives in primary forms, alkyd resins in primary forms, epoxide resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and other vinyl chloride copolymers in primary forms, polyacetals in primary forms, polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl ester polymers other than vinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms, styrene-acrylonitrile (san) copolymers in primary forms, natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, fluoropolymers, other polymers of halogenated olefins in primary forms, vinyl acetate polymers in primary forms other than in aqueous dispersion and ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 61%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading produced products, was attained by polycarbonates (in primary forms) (with a CAGR of +5.5%), while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of plastics in primary formses in terms of market size were polypropylene in primary forms ($94.9B), polyethylene in primary forms ($91.6B) and polyolefins other than polypropylene ($51.5B), with a combined 29% share of global production. Acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms, polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters), polyurethanes in primary forms, polycarbonates (in primary forms), polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), amino resins, expansible polystyrene in primary forms, silicones (in primary forms), unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, petroleum resins, coumarone-indene resins, polyterpenes, polysulphides, polysulphones in primary forms, natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms, urea resins and thiourea resins in primary forms, polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms, phenolic resins in primary forms, plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers), cellulose and its chemical derivatives in primary forms, epoxide resins, polymers of styrene in primary forms (excluding polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers), melamine resins in primary forms, fluoropolymers, non-plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers and other vinyl chloride copolymers in primary forms, polyvinyl alcohol and vinyl ester polymers other than vinyl acetate, alkyd resins in primary forms, polymers of vinyl acetate in aqueous dispersion in primary forms, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms, polyacetals in primary forms, styrene-acrylonitrile (san) copolymers in primary forms, ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms, other polymers of halogenated olefins in primary forms and vinyl acetate polymers in primary forms other than in aqueous dispersion lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 71%.

In terms of the main produced products, silicones (in primary forms), with a CAGR of +5.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Plastics in Primary Forms

In 2022, overseas purchases of plastics in primary formses decreased by -3.3% to 171M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 4.6% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 177M tons, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, plastics in primary forms imports rose slightly to $375.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 42%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (26M tons), distantly followed by Germany (9.2M tons) and India (8.4M tons) were the major importers of plastics in primary formses, together committing 25% of total imports. Turkey (7.3M tons), Italy (6.9M tons), the United States (6.4M tons), Belgium (5.7M tons), Vietnam (5.4M tons), Mexico (5.2M tons), Poland (4.5M tons), France (4.3M tons), Indonesia (4.2M tons) and Canada (3.5M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of plastics in primary formses. At the same time, India (+7.1%), Vietnam (+7.0%), Poland (+4.8%), Indonesia (+4.6%), Mexico (+2.9%), Turkey (+2.7%) and Canada (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +7.1% from 2012-2022. Belgium, the United States, Italy and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($48.9B) constitutes the largest market for imported plastics in primary formses worldwide, comprising 13% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($24.2B), with a 6.4% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 5% share.

In China, plastics in primary forms imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.1% per year) and the United States (+3.4% per year).

Imports By Type

Polyethylene in primary forms was the major type of plastics in primary formses in the world, with the volume of imports resulting at 48M tons, which was approx. 28% of total imports in 2022. Polypropylene in primary forms (22M tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (12M tons), polyolefins other than polypropylene (12M tons) and acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (7.8M tons). All these products together held approx. 31% share of total imports. Polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms (6.1M tons), polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms (4.4M tons), amino resins (4.2M tons), polycarbonates (in primary forms) (4.1M tons), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms (4.1M tons), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms (3.9M tons), polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters) (3.8M tons), polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) (3.6M tons), polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) (3.4M tons), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms (2.9M tons) and expansible polystyrene in primary forms (2.6M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports of polyethylene in primary forms increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, amino resins (+7.8%), polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters) (+5.4%), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms (+5.2%), acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (+4.0%), polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms (+3.2%), polyolefins other than polypropylene (+2.8%), pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (+2.4%), polypropylene in primary forms (+2.3%), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms (+1.6%) and expansible polystyrene in primary forms (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, amino resins emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +7.8% from 2012-2022. Polycarbonates (in primary forms), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms and polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms (-5.8%) and polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) (-8.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Polyethylene in primary forms (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms and polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) saw its share reduced by -3.1% and -4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms ($72.2B) constitutes the largest type of plastics in primary formses imported worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by polypropylene in primary forms ($33.5B), with an 8.9% share of global imports. It was followed by polyolefins other than polypropylene, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of polyethylene in primary forms imports stood at +2.7%. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: polypropylene in primary forms (+2.2% per year) and polyolefins other than polypropylene (+3.2% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average plastics in primary forms import price stood at $2,193 per ton in 2022, picking up by 5.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was fluoropolymers ($20,948 per ton), while the price for polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms ($846 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by non-plasticised mixed polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (+3.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastics in primary forms import price amounted to $2,193 per ton, surging by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($2,954 per ton), while Indonesia ($1,787 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+2.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Plastics in Primary Forms

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of plastics in primary formses, when their volume decreased by -4.5% to 164M tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 172M tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, plastics in primary forms exports shrank slightly to $344.3B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $350.4B, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports By Country

The United States (17M tons), Saudi Arabia (16M tons), South Korea (14M tons), China (13M tons), Belgium (11M tons), Germany (10M tons), the Netherlands (7.6M tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (6.9M tons), Singapore (5.9M tons), Thailand (5.1M tons), the United Arab Emirates (4.5M tons) and France (4.5M tons) represented roughly 70% of total exports in 2022. Iran (4.3M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($41.7B), China ($29.6B) and Germany ($29.2B) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 29% share of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +10.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Polyethylene in primary forms represented the largest type of plastics in primary formses in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 47M tons, which was near 28% of total exports in 2022. Polypropylene in primary forms (22M tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (13M tons), polyolefins other than polypropylene (12M tons) and acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (8M tons). All these products together took near 33% share of total exports. Polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms (6.6M tons), amino resins (4.3M tons), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms (4M tons), polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms (3.9M tons), polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters) (3.7M tons), polycarbonates (in primary forms) (3.5M tons), polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) (3.5M tons), polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) (3.1M tons) and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms (2.7M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyethylene in primary forms exports of stood at +2.5%. At the same time, amino resins (+5.8%), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in primary forms (+4.8%), acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (+3.9%), polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms (+3.7%), polyesters in primary forms (excluding polyacetals, polyethers, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyethylene terephthalate, other unsaturated polyesters) (+3.5%), polypropylene in primary forms (+2.8%), polyolefins other than polypropylene (+1.3%), pure polyvinyl chloride in primary forms (+1.2%) and polyamide -6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 in primary forms (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, amino resins emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012-2022. Polycarbonates (in primary forms), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (abs) copolymers in primary forms and polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) (-8.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Polyethylene in primary forms (+3 p.p.) and polypropylene in primary forms (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while polymers of ethylene in primary forms (excluding polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) saw its share reduced by -3.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms ($64.3B) remains the largest type of plastics in primary formses supplied worldwide, comprising 19% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by polypropylene in primary forms ($31.2B), with a 9% share of global exports. It was followed by polyolefins other than polypropylene, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of polyethylene in primary forms exports amounted to +1.8%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: polypropylene in primary forms (+2.3% per year) and polyolefins other than polypropylene (+1.8% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average plastics in primary forms export price stood at $2,097 per ton in 2022, increasing by 2.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 38%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was fluoropolymers ($20,916 per ton), while the average price for exports of polyethylene terephthalate and other polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms ($875 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by urea and thiourea resins (+3.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastics in primary forms export price amounted to $2,097 per ton, increasing by 2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 38%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,812 per ton), while Iran ($1,047 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform