PMDI Export Trends
In July 2025, China shipped 64,100 tonnes of polymeric MDI, marking an 18% decline year-on-year and a 24.8% drop month-on-month, according to the latest China PMDI export data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC). From January to July, cumulative exports reached 476,500 tonnes, down 18% compared to the same period last year.
Rising Exports to ASEAN and India Highlight Regionalization
While exports to most of China’s top 10 destinations fell year-on-year, shipments to India, Vietnam, and Thailand increased. This reflects a growing regionalization trend in China’s polymeric MDI trade. Global trade uncertainty, particularly U.S. tariff policies, has accelerated the shift from broad globalization to regional PMDI trade, impacting both supply chains and pricing strategies.
Additionally, China’s free trade agreements with ASEAN countries and geographic proximity have encouraged manufacturers in appliances, textiles, and automotive sectors to relocate or expand production in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. These regional shifts mitigate supply chain risks and hedge against trade uncertainties, reinforcing China’s position in regional polymeric MDI exports.
PMDI Import Dynamics
China’s polymeric MDI imports surged in July 2025, reaching 42,300 tonnes, up 70.1% year-on-year and 85.6% month-on-month. From January to July, total imports climbed to 205,400 tonnes, representing a 16.9% annual increase. Monthly imports had stayed between 20,000–35,000 tonnes until June but jumped in July due to increased shipments from Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
Imports from Saudi Arabia were particularly strong, totaling 19,700 tonnes in July, a 50.7% month-on-month increase. Cumulative imports from Saudi Arabia for January–July reached 92,200 tonnes, up 27.6% year-on-year. The combination of a strong domestic PMDI market and comparatively low Middle East prices (~USD 1,700/tonne) boosted shipments into China.
Imports from South Korea also rose, with January–July volumes up 27% year-on-year, although Korean goods carried slightly higher pricing compared with Saudi or Japanese imports.
Navigating China’s PMDI Market
To manage the volatile PMDI market in China, PUdaily’s Pricing Intelligence Service provides comprehensive daily polymeric MDI prices, charts, and market reviews. From tracking export trends to ASEAN and India to monitoring import pricing from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Japan, our insights equip businesses to make informed sourcing and pricing decisions, anticipate market shifts, and optimize supply chains across China, the Middle East, ASEAN, and Europe.
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