US Antidumping Case on Chinese and Vietnamese Polypropylene Imports

Key Highlights:

• Indian Market Snapshot: Prices range from ₹96,000 to ₹1,03,000/MT across Bhiwandi, Mundra, Rajkot, and Delhi.
• Global Trade Pressure: U.S. manufacturers file antidumping petitions against Chinese and Vietnamese PP imports.
• Plant Shutdowns: Multiple planned outages across China, Malaysia, and Thailand affecting global PP supply.
• Market Outlook: Potential for price fluctuations and regulatory changes in the next 12–13 months.

Current Polypropylene Prices Across Indian Markets

• In the Indian polypropylene market, MRPL PPHP TQ FILM (HF010) is priced at ₹99,000 per metric ton in Bhiwandi. 
• Meanwhile, HMEL PPHP IM (M12RR) is available in Mundra at ₹97,500 per metric ton, and MARLEX PPHP RAFFIA (HGX030SP) is priced at ₹96,000 per metric ton in the same location.
• In Rajkot, MRPL PPHP LAMINATION (HY035R) is being offered at ₹1,01,000 per metric ton. Additionally, HALDIA PPCP RANDOM (M312 - PRIME) is listed at ₹1,03,000 per metric ton in Delhi.

Polymer Demand and Supply: Surge in Low-Cost PP Imports

• The US polypropylene (PP) corrugated box market has been under increasing pressure due to a surge in imports from China and Vietnam. Between 2022 and 2024, the volume of these imports grew nearly fivefold, significantly impacting domestic manufacturers.
• Local producers, including CoolSeal USA, Inteplast Group, SeaCa Plastic Packaging, and Technology Container, have raised concerns over the aggressive pricing strategies of foreign competitors. These companies allege that PP imports from China and Vietnam benefit from subsidies and are being dumped into the US market at unfairly low prices.
• The US packaging industry relies heavily on PP corrugated boxes due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. However, domestic manufacturers are struggling to compete with the influx of low-cost imports. If left unchecked, the excess production capacity of Chinese and Vietnamese manufacturers could further saturate the US market, intensifying pricing pressures and potentially leading to plant closures or reduced local production. 
• The antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed with the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission highlight the severity of the situation and call for immediate corrective measures.

Polymer News: Global Supply Chain Updates & Plant Shutdowns

• In China, Zhongan Lianhe will shut its 350,000-ton/year PP plant from 26th March to 5th April, while Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has delayed the shutdown of its 100,000-ton/year No.1 PP unit to 24th March–4th May. 
• Additionally, Hengli Petrochemical plans to halt its two 200,000-ton/year PP units in Dalian in April, and PetroChina Langang will briefly shut its 110,000-ton/year plant starting 24th March.
• Meanwhile, Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem) in Malaysia is set to restart its two 450,000-ton/year PP units by end-March after prolonged maintenance. 
• In Thailand, IRPC has permanently closed its No.1 and No.2 PP units (combined 160,000 tons/year) due to commercial reasons. 

Expert Opinion: Regulatory Impact & Market Outlook

• With the ongoing investigation into antidumping and countervailing duties, the market is expected to experience fluctuations in pricing and supply chains over the next 12 to 13 months. Should preliminary determinations favor the petitioners, provisional duties could be imposed, increasing import costs and offering temporary relief to US producers. 
• A final ruling, expected in Q2 2026, may lead to permanent duties, altering import dynamics and potentially stabilizing domestic pricing. In the short term, market participants should prepare for regulatory shifts that could impact procurement strategies and pricing structures.