China's PP capacity hits record 52.8 mln t/y, cementing net exporter status

China's PP industry has reached a pinnacle of capacity in the year, triggering a monumental shift in its global trade dynamics. Domestic PP supply now vastly outpaces downstream demand, reshaping China's role in the global PP supply chain.

China's polypropylene (PP) capacity reached a record 52.815 million t/y as of 12 November 2026, up 31.3% from 2025. The sharp expansion has driven a structural shift in trade flows: imports are projected to fall 21.6% year-on-year to 2.64 million tonnes in 2026, while exports are expected to rise