China's PSF exports hit record high in 2024

According to the China Customs, uncombed or uncarded PSF exports of China reached 119kt in Dec, 2024, up 32.2% year on year, but down 1.9% month on month. Imports were about 9,000 tons, flat year on year and up 8.4% month on month.

In 2024, the exports amounted to 1.318 million tons, an increase of 9.4% from 2023, to be the highest during 2019-2024, and since the pandemic, the exports have been rising year by year.

In terms of the top 10 export destinations in 2024, Vietnam remained the largest export markets, with a volume of 278,040 tons, up about 25.04% from 2023, with a proportion of 21.1%. Pakistan ranked the second place, with a volume of 142,742 tons, up 16.99% year on year, and its proportion reached 10.8%. Exports to Indonesia saw the largest decline, down by 34.6% year on year. Exports to Turkey and the Bangladesh also declined obviously, down by 30.55% and 20.1% respectively. The exports to the United States continued to reduce from the trade war in 2018, and its proportion only reaching 3.4%.

The PSF exports continue to grow in 2024, hitting a record high further. The growth is mainly attributed to the obvious price advantage of Chinese PSF on international market due to low polymerization costs, industrial chain upward shift of exports and part of replacement of viscose by PSF.

In 2025, export volumes are expected to maintain growth. However, due to limited new capacity and rising Chinese domestic demand, the growth rate of exports is anticipated to slow down.