China to account for 25% of global polyethylene capacity additions by 2030

China is poised to significantly expand its polyethylene production capacity by 2030, backed by its heavy demand from packaging, consumer goods, and construction industries. Contributing about a quarter of the expected capacity additions worldwide by 2030, China is set to be a major player in the global polyethylene market, according to GlobalData, the data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, Polyethylene Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2030, shows that China is likely to witness a total polyethylene capacity additions of 14.08 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) from 34 planned and six announced projects between 2025 and 2030.

Nivedita Roy, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Polyethylene is a highly versatile petrochemical with a wide range of industrial and commercial uses. Its high demand from the automotive sector, coupled with the robust growth of plastics industry in China, is propelling the market forward in the country.”

In China, the highest capacity addition is expected from the Zhejiang Petrochemical Daishan Polyethylene Plant 7 (Swing), which has a nameplate capacity of 0.70mtpa. Located in the Zhejiang province, the plant is anticipated to commence production of polyethylene in 2029. Zhejiang Petrochemical Co Ltd is the designated operator of this plant.

In addition, Donghua Energy (Maoming) Co Ltd is planning two projects: Oriental Energy Maoming Polyethylene Plant 1 and Oriental Energy Maoming Polyethylene Plant 2 in the Guangdong province. Both are expansion projects and are expected to come onstream in 2028, each with a capacity of 0.50mtpa.

Moreover, Fujian Sinopec Aramco Refining and Petrochemical Zhangzhou Polyethylene Plant 2 in Fujian province, and BASF Zhanjiang Polyethylene Plant in Guangdong province, represent other significant capacity additions in the country, each with a production capacity of 0.50mtpa.