Polystyrene and EPS: Movement
Why foam is moulded near users, not shipped
What this tab covers How it moves between countries: share of output traded, physical form and transport, the largest exporters and importers, main routes, India's trade, and handling rules in transit.Trade in 2024 UN Comtrade, HS 390311
World exports $2.21 bn 82 reporting exporters · about 1.25 m t Largest exporter China 19.1% of world exports Largest importer Poland 12.5% of world imports India imports $3.25 mexports $3.86 m #78 importer · #29 exporter
Where it is exported from and imported to, 2024
Chart: World map of the largest trade flows
Exporter (size = share of world exports) Importer (share of world imports) Shipping chokepoint UN Comtrade 2024, HS 390311: shares of reported world exports and imports by value. Country-to-country route lines are not available for this commodity yet. Hover a circle for values.HS 390311: largest exporters
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 19.1% | $421.7 m | 327k |
| Netherlands | 14.9% | $329.3 m | 190k |
| Türkiye | 9.8% | $216.8 m | 139k |
| United States | 8.2% | $181.6 m | 86k |
| Belgium | 7.3% | $161.6 m | 66k |
| Canada | 6.6% | $145.0 m | 71k |
| France | 6.2% | $137.5 m | 77k |
| Greece | 4.1% | $89.7 m | 56k |
HS 390311: largest importers
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 12.5% | $481.5 m | 257k |
| United States | 10.1% | $388.7 m | – |
| Germany | 5.8% | $223.3 m | 120k |
| Italy | 4.9% | $188.4 m | 107k |
| France | 4.7% | $181.0 m | 98k |
| Mexico | 3.7% | $143.7 m | 70k |
| United Kingdom | 3.3% | $126.2 m | – |
| Romania | 2.6% | $99.9 m | 61k |
HS 390319: largest exporters
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 11.3% | $348.3 m | – |
| China | 11% | $339.1 m | 220k |
| United States | 8.6% | $263.5 m | 192k |
| Malaysia | 7.5% | $231.0 m | – |
| South Korea | 6.7% | $204.2 m | 181k |
| Italy | 5.5% | $168.2 m | – |
| Germany | 4.9% | $149.6 m | 96k |
| Singapore | 3.7% | $112.6 m | 104k |
HS 390319: largest importers
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 13.6% | $564.0 m | – |
| Germany | 6.5% | $269.5 m | 158k |
| Türkiye | 4.5% | $187.7 m | – |
| Italy | 4.3% | $179.7 m | 120k |
| Mexico | 4.2% | $175.0 m | – |
| Poland | 3.7% | $151.8 m | 84k |
| Malaysia | 3.7% | $151.5 m | 201k |
| United States | 3.4% | $141.9 m | – |
How it moves
| Measure | Figure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Share traded | about 25-30% of GPPS and HIPS crosses borders (indicative); EPS beads are traded, but foam products are moulded near users because they are about 98% air | ||
| How it moves | GPPS and HIPS pellets in 25 kg bags or big bags in containers; EPS beads in lined octabins, kept cool so pentane does not escape. | ||
| Routes and chokepoints | Northeast Asia to South and Southeast Asia; Europe intra-regional; Gulf styrene to India through Hormuz. | ||
| India | India imports PS and EPS beads mainly from Northeast and Southeast Asia, and all its styrene monomer; HS 390311: India imported $3 million (0.1% of world imports, rank 78) and exported $4 million (0.2% of world exports, rank 29); HS 390319: India imported $59 million (1.4% of world imports, rank 21) and exported $50 million (1.6% of world exports, rank 19) (UN Comtrade 2024). | ||
| Handling in transit | GPPS and HIPS are not dangerous goods. EPS beads are UN2211 (polymeric beads, expandable, evolving flammable vapour), Class 9; pentane release needs ventilation. Styrene monomer feed is UN2055, Class 3. |