# Polystyrene and EPS: Movement

Why foam is moulded near users, not shipped

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/movement/

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 m
exports $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 | – |

 UN Comtrade 2024, reported by each country (exports by exporters, imports by importers), all partners. Some countries (for example Russia and Iran) do not report, so their shares are missing. HS codes can be broader than the tile: check the code before reading a share as the whole market.

#### 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. |  |  |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/trading/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/links/index.md)