End-use Markets for Plastics in China

China s plastics industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in China due to the rapid development and soaring demand in such plastics end-use markets as packaging, agriculture, consumer products, construction, automotive and other general industry. Total end-use plastics demand reached 19.7 million tonnes in 1998 and advanced to 32.9 million tonnes by 2003, increasing by 10.8% annually. Total plastics production increased to 16.9 million tonnes in 2003. China also imported 16.5 million tonnes of plastics, a record high, in 2003. 

32 Plastics China Technologies, Markets and Growth Strategies to 2008 

Packaging, construction and automotive markets offer the best growth opportunities for plastics development. The increasing demand for plastic packaging is a result of the rapid development of industrial goods, chemical products, consumer products, food, appliance and other industries in China. The packaging industry had consumed 5.3 million tonnes of plastics in 1998 and advanced by 12.8% annually to 9.6 million tonnes by 2003. 

In recent years, the Chinese construction market has been booming. The construction of new commercial and residential buildings is increasing rapidly due to the surging demand for office buildings, hotels and residential apartments throughout the country. Plastics end-use demand in the construction industry was about 2.9 million tonnes in 1998 and rose to 4.8 million tonnes in 2003, or a 10.6% annual growth. 

Consumer products such as plastic shoes, furniture, appliances, toys and others have exhibited strong growth in recent years. China is one of the largest exporters of shoes and toys to the world. Plastics consumption in consumer products achieved 5.7 million tonnes in 1998 and increased to 8.2 million tonnes in 2003. 

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