Episode 1477: Think Tank: Sale of stockpiles explains China’s massive wartime export boost

Episode 1477: Think Tank: Sale of stockpiles explains China’s massive wartime export boost

June 25, 2026 · 38 min · Episode 1477

About this episode

The episode discusses China's record chemical exports amid falling production and high inventory levels, with insights from industry analysts.

From March to May, China has exported record amounts of chemicals despite falling production as companies work through huge inventories built up over the past few years. China chemicals production has fallen, but exports are soaring Inventory levels in China are much higher than people suspected Higher prices mean that this is now being exported China operators still run despite poor economics, domestic demand They have been stockpiling, now selling this inventory May data confirm the trend is continuing 20% of global olefins supply has been disrupted by the Middle East war 45% of Asia ethylene supply outside of China was offline in April Record capacity additions mean oversupply will continue for 5-10 years From 2030 China will add less new capacity In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior polyolefins analyst James Wilson and ICIS senior consultant John Richardson.

People in this episode

Host: Will Beacham

Guests: James Wilson, John Richardson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: China, ICIS

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