Which Country Imports the Most Polystyrene in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Polystyrene, In Primary Forms - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2016, the amount of polystyrene imported worldwide amounted to 20M tonnes, coming up by 2% against the previous year figure. Overall, polystyrene imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when import increased by 5% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, global polystyrene imports attained its maximum volume of 20M tonnes in 2007- however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, polystyrene imports totaled $20B in 2016. Overall, polystyrene imports continue to indicate a slight descent. Global polystyrene import peaked of $27B in 2011- however, from 2012 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Polystyrene Importing Countries in the World

1. China (4,639.5 million USD)

2. Germany (1,237.3 million USD)

3. USA (1,162.3 million USD)

4. China, Hong Kong SAR (1,090.9 million USD)

5. Italy (777.8 million USD)

6. Turkey (698.3 million USD)

7. Thailand (476.6 million USD)

8. France (451.6 million USD)

9. Netherlands (336.9 million USD)

10. Belgium (304.6 million USD)

11. Japan (202.9 million USD)

12. South Korea (175.6 million USD)

Polystyrene Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of polystyrene imports in 2016 were China (2.9M tonnes), South Korea (2.1M tonnes), and Belgium (1.7M tonnes), together finishing at 34% of total import. It was distantly followed by China, Hong Kong SAR (1.1M tonnes), and the U.S. (935K tonnes), together committing 10% share of total polystyrene imports. Germany (775K tonnes), the Netherlands (723K tonnes), Italy (541K tonnes), Japan (537K tonnes), France (529K tonnes), Turkey (509K tonnes), and Thailand (482K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of polystyrene imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Thailand (+2.7% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($4.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported polystyrene worldwide, making up 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Germany ($1.2B), with the share of 6% of global imports. It was followed by the U.S., with the share of 6%.

In China, polystyrene imports plunged by an average annual rate of -2.7% over the period from 2007-2016. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.4% per year) and the U.S. (+2.2% per year).

Polystyrene Import Prices By Country

The average polystyrene import price stood at $1,015 per tonne in 2016, reducing by -8.5% against the previous year. In general, polystyrene import price continues to indicate a slight drop. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when import increased by 25% from the previous year level. Global polystyrene import peaked of $1,408 per tonne in 2013- however, from 2014 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was Germany ($1,597 per tonne), while South Korea ($82 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of polystyrene import prices was attained by Japan (+1.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global polystyrene market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• polystyrene market share
• polystyrene prices
• polystyrene industry
• polystyrene sales
• polystyrene import
• polystyrene export
• polystyrene market forecast
• polystyrene price forecast
• key polystyrene producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 3903 - Polymers of styrene, in primary forms.

Source: World: Polystyrene, In Primary Forms - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025