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Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

IBISWorld IBISWorld Beijing, China Last Updated: November 2024 2651

Revenue

$198.4bn

2024

$198.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

304k

Businesses

1,632

Wages

$X.Xbn

Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China industry analysis

China is now the world’s largest producer and consumer of basic plastics and synthetic resins. Revenue for the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry is expected to grow at an annualized 2.8% over the five years through 2024, to total $198.4 billion. This expansion is largely due to the development of the downstream industries, like plastic products manufacturing, a key consumer of industry’s products. However, industry revenue has been volatile in the past five years, mainly affected by the fluctuations in prices of basic plastics and synthetic resins.
Basic plastics and synthetic resin output in China is expected to increase at an average rate of 5.4% in the past five years to 2024, to 126.5 million tons. Industry exports are expected to reach $35.0 billion in 2024, and accounting for 17.7% of total industry revenue, up from 10.5% in 2019. Competing imports are expected to reach $43.3 billion in 2024, and accounting for 21.0% of domestic demand, down from 27.1% of domestic demand in 2019.
Profit is estimated to account for 5.7% of industry revenue in 2024. Existing players are struggling against shrinking profitability and seeking ways to cut cost by improving management or technology. The rising prices of the raw materials used in basic plastics and synthetic resin manufacturing have also squeezed industry profit margins over the past five years.
Industry demand is anticipated to remain relatively stable over the next five years. Revenue is forecast to increase at an annualized 2.5% over the five years through 2029, to $224.5 billion. With new production lines being put into use each year, competition in the industry is projected to intensify. Additionally, the Chinese Government is anticipated to increase its regulation of the industry with respect to environmental protection and energy efficiency, consequently increasing the barriers to entry.

Trends and Insights

  • Industry output has increased constantly. China is now the world’s largest producer and consumer of basic plastics and synthetic resins. Industry output will increase at an average rate of 5.4% in the past five years to 2024.
  • PP, PE and PVC are major product segments. PP, PE and PVC are the top product segments of the industry and are expected to jointly represent over 70% of industry revenue in 2024.
  • Industry operations are concentrated in the eastern regions. East China is the most developed areas for the industry, with over 40% of the industry’s output.
  • The industry has a moderate concentrate level. The top four industry participants have a joint market share of 21.4% in 2024.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $198.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Extensive downstream industries have supported industry demand

  • Basic plastics and synthetic resins are major synthetic materials in the world, widely used in agriculture, construction, automobiles, machinery, electronics and other fields, playing an important role in human life and social development.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Rapid growth of downstream industries will support industry demand

  • Downstream industries of basic plastics and synthetic resin products are quite extensive, and the overall downstream demand is closely related to the economic development.

Biggest companies in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
23,577.8
PetroChina Company Limited
14,815.7
Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd.
2,255.7

To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the largest segment of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China.

Trends and Insights

Polyethylene is the largest contributor to industry revenue

  • Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic resin made by polymerizing ethylene monomers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies operating in the Basic Plastic and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry produce primary plastic materials from oil and natural gas products. Major products of the industry include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polystyrene (PS).

What's included in this industry?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Polyethylene (PE)Polypropylene (PP)Polystyrene (PS) Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)Other products

Companies

China Petroleum & Chemical CorporationPetroChina Company LimitedNingxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd.

Purchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

OLEFINPOLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)POLYETHYLENE (PE) POLYPROPYLENE (PP) POLYSTYRENE (PS)ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE (ABS)

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Industry output has increased constantly. China is now the world’s largest producer and consumer of basic plastics and synthetic resins. Industry output will increase at an a...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

PP, PE and PVC are major product segments. PP, PE and PVC are the top product segments of the industry and are expected to jointly represent over 70% of industry revenue in 2...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Industry operations are concentrated in the eastern regions. East China is the most developed areas for the industry, with over 40% of the industry’s output.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The industry has a moderate concentrate level. The top four industry participants have a joint market share of 21.4% in 2024.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Sinopec and PetroChina have strong market position. Basic plastics and synthetic resin are the downstream products of petroleum industrial chain. Sinopec and PetroChina have ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of PetroChina Company Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for PetroChina Company Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The industry has a medium regulation level. Production and operation of industry companies must company with laws and regulations in China. Industry regulation level is incre...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Industry profit margins have been volatile. Industry profitability is affected by fluctuations in raw material costs, downstream demand and pricing levels. Industry profit ma...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China in 2024?

The market size of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China is $198.4bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China industry in 2024?

There are 1,632 businesses in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing market in China?

The biggest companies operating in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing market in China are China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, PetroChina Company Limited and Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd.

What does the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China include?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE) are part of the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing in China?

The company holding the most market share in China is China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation.

How competitive is the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Basic Plastics and Synthetic Resin Manufacturing industry in China.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in China include:

  • National Bureau of Statistics China
  • General Administration of Customs
  • People’s Bank of China

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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