Massive industrial demand to spur China to lead global polypropylene capacity additions through 2030

China is poised to significantly expand its polypropylene production capacity by 2030, owing to its massive demand from automotive, packaging, and construction industries. Accounting for about 40% of the expected capacity additions worldwide by 2030, China is expected to be the dominant player in the global polypropylene production, according to GlobalData, the data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, Polypropylene Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2030, shows that China is likely to witness total polypropylene capacity additions of 21.87 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) during 2025-30 from 41 planned and nine announced projects.

Nivedita Roy, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Polypropylene is a versatile thermoplastic polymer made from propylene, with diverse applications due to its strength, chemical resistance, and low density. High demand from the vast industrial and consumer base in China, coupled with the cost-effective manufacturing, is propelling the market in the country.”

In China, the highest capacity addition is expected from the Fujian Yongrong New Materials Company Putian Polypropylene Plant, which has a nameplate capacity of 1.10mtpa. Located in the Fujian Yongrong New Materials Company Putian Complex, the plant is anticipated to commence production of polypropylene in 2029. Fujian Eversun New Material Co Ltd is the designated operator of this plant and  holds 100% equity stake in the project.

Fujian Eversun is planning one more plant in the same complex – Fujian Yongrong New Materials Company Putian Polypropylene Plant 1, with a capacity of 0.90mtpa. It is expected to come onstream next year.

Jinzhou Petrochemical Co is also planning two projects in Liaoning province – Jinzhou Petrochemical Company Jinzhou Polypropylene Plant 2 and Jinzhou Petrochemical Company Jinzhou Polypropylene Plant 3, with respective capacities of 0.60mtpa and 0.90mtpa. The Plant 2 is expected to start operations this year, while the Plant 3 is anticipated to come online in 2028. Both are being planned in the Jinzhou Petrochemical Company Jinzhou Complex.

Moreover, SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Zhangzhou Polypropylene Plant 2 in the Fujian province, and the Sinopec Great Wall Energy Chemical Ordos Polypropylene Plant in Inner Mongolia represent other significant capacity additions in the country, with production capacities of 0.55mtpa and 0.53mtpa, respectively.