China to account for entire global polystyrene capacity additions by 2030

China is poised to significantly expand its polystyrene production capacity by 2030, driven by rapid and sustained demand from packaging, electronics, and construction industries. China is likely to be the only country to account for entire expected polystyrene capacity additions worldwide by 2030, according to GlobalData, the data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, Polystyrene Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2030, reveals that China is likely to witness total polystyrene capacity additions of 1.21 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) during 2025-30 from three planned and one announced project. One project each is being planned in India and Malaysia; however, their capacity details are currently unknown.

Nivedita Roy, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Polystyrene is a low-cost, lightweight synthetic plastic valued for its good insulating properties and is widely used in packaging, construction insulation, and food-service items. As the world’s largest manufacturing economy, China has a massive demand for polystyrene to package goods for both domestic consumption and exports.”

In China, the highest capacity addition is expected from the Lianyungang Hongda New Materials Technology Lianyungang Polystyrene Plant, which has a nameplate capacity of 0.31mtpa. Located in the Jiangsu province, the plant is anticipated to commence production of polystyrene in 2028. Lianyungang Hongda New Materials Technology Co Ltd is the designated operator of this plant, while Wuxi Xingda Foam Plastics Materials Co Ltd holds 100% equity stake in the project.

The next highest capacity addition is also from another project in the Jiangsu province – Lianyungang Petrochemical Lianyungang Polystyrene Plant 2, with a capacity of 0.40mtpa. It is expected to come onstream in 2026.

The remaining capacity additions in the country are from PetroChina Guangxi Petrochemical Company Qinzhou Polystyrene Plant and PetroChina Urumqi Petrochemical Company Urumqi Polystyrene Plant. The Qinzhou plant is expected to commence operations this year, while the Urumqi plant is to start production in 2029. They are expected to add 0.30mtpa and 0.20mtpa of production capacity, respectively. China National Petroleum Corp holds the entire stake in both these projects.