The top ten polymer materials with the highest import dependence in 2024, the domestic substitution market is extensive!

In 2024, the import volume of POE is approximately 780,000 tons, a growth of 12.7% compared to 2023, with an import dependence of about 95%. The technical challenges lie in the copolymerization process of α-olefins (1-octene/1-hexene) and catalysts, which have been monopolized by Dow Chemical.

The Wanhua Chemical Research Development of POE equipment has started operation, this year products will enter the market. The East Meets East jointly developed by Shandong East Meets East Petrochemical Industrial Development Corporation with Tsinghua University's Research Institute of New Energy has overcome Taussig's catalyst monopoly.

In 2024, the import volume of mPE (Metallocene Polyethylene) is approximately 680,000 tons, accounting for 92% of the domestic total demand, which means that the import dependence on mPE is 92%. The technical challenges include controlling the catalyst activity, precise control of molecular weight distribution, and other quality indicators pose certain technical difficulties.

Shanghai Petrochemical has begun mass production of molybdenum-linear low-density polyethylene (mLLDPE) with an annual capacity of about 50,000 tons.

The development of metal-catalysts for petroleum-methane conversion (PME) has made significant progress, with industrial applications of PME-18 being realized.

In 2024, the import volume of PI is estimated to be around 23,000 tons, including products such as PI films, resins, and fibers, with a domestic import dependency of about 85%. The technical challenges in the process lie in the stability of the high-temperature polycondensation process and the spinning technology of high-temperature resistant fibers.

Domestic Xinmaterial and Ruihua泰 can produce electronic-grade PI film products, but they still heavily rely on imports for aerospace-grade products.

In 2024, the import volume of EVOH is approximately 65,000 tons, with an import reliance exceeding 90%. The technical challenges include continuous production of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and optimization of barrier properties, both of which are relatively difficult.

Sinopec has begun to lay out plans for this product, with a scheduled commissioning date of 2026 and a planned production capacity of 50,000 tons per year.

In 2024, foreign imports are approximately 12,000 tons, with an import dependency rate of about 80%. Although demand is not large, domestic production cannot yet meet market needs. The technologies for monomer purification (synthesis of difluorobenzophenone) and high-temperature melt processing are not fully mastered domestically.

Jilin Zhongyan High Molecular Material can produce this product, with its capacity expanded to 3,000 tons per year; however, high-end medical-grade products still rely on imports.

In 2024, the import volume is approximately 450,000 tons, including backlight modules and polarizing film base film, with an import dependency of 75%. The requirements for nanoscale surface flatness (Ra < 0.5nm) and low birefringence control are very strict.

Domestic Dongcai Technology and Yuxing Co., Ltd. can produce mid-to-low-end products, while high-end MLCC base films are imported from Mitsubishi Chemical.

In 2024, the import volume is approximately 120,000 tons, with an import dependency rate of 70%. The main technical challenges lie in the dimethylphenol oxidation polymerization process and hydrolysis-resistant modification.

Blue Star Group has a production facility with a capacity of 20,000 tons per year, which can meet the demand for low dielectric products used in 5G base stations.

2024 imported volume is approximately 55 million tons (VA content of ≥28%);

Actual domestic production of the product has reached 300,000 tons, but high-end solar panels still heavily rely on imports, mainly sourced from South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In 2024, Lianhong Xinke's EVA production capacity will be 150,000 tons/year, with approximately 80% of the material being photovoltaic.

After Dongfang Shenghong acquired Silbond, it upgraded its facilities, and by 2024, the production capacity of photovoltaic grade EVA will reach 700,000 tons. Together, these two companies account for over 40% of the domestic photovoltaic grade EVA production capacity, significantly reducing reliance on imports.

About 2 million tons of vegetable protein imported into China in 2024, mainly used in the automotive and electronics industries, with an import dependence of about 65%.

Kai-Sai Bio's production capacity is 100,000 tons per year, but its production cost is about 30% higher than petroleum-based products, making its competitive advantage unclear.

High-end modified materials are primarily imported from Aimans.

In 2024, the import volume was about 80,000 tons, with an import dependence of approximately 55%. Due to its extremely high molecular weight (typically over 1 million) and unique properties, it has important applications in fields such as aerospace, medical devices, and national defense industry. However, the main technical challenges lie in processing and forming, performance optimization, and material modification.

The 2024 Shanghai Hubei Union Chemical Industrial Corporation has completed a UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) plasticization production plant with a production capacity of 5,000 tonnes per year, and a steel production capacity of 6,000 tonnes per year.

Henan Watson Super-High began production in 2023 of the world's first 30,000 ton/year slurry loop continuous UHMWPE unit, bringing total capacity to 40,000 tons/year.

The primary imports for lithium-ion battery separators and bulletproof materials come from DSM (Netherlands) and Braskem (USA), with domestic production primarily focused on low-end fiber-grade products.