Development status of China's dioctyl phthalate (DOP) industry in 2022

1. Industrial chain

Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) is an organic ester compound and a commonly used plasticizer. The main reaction in the production of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) is esterification, where phthalic anhydride and octanol generate dioctyl phthalate and water under catalyst and heating conditions. Dioctyl phthalate is an important universal plasticizer mainly used in the processing of polyvinyl chloride resin. It can also be used in the processing of high polymers such as chemical fiber resin, acetic acid resin, ABS resin, rubber, etc. It can also be used in paint making, dyes, dispersants, etc.

2. Yield

As of the end of 2021, there are a total of 25 enterprises producing dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China. In 2021, the total production of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China was 1.2881 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 6.5%. The monthly production remained basically unchanged throughout the year.

3. Import and export situation

In 2021, China's dependence on imports of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) increased. In 2021, the import volume of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China was 38143.17 tons, a year-on-year increase of 140.6%; The import amount was 67143700 US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 336.8%.

In 2021, China's DOP imports will mainly come from Taiwan, China Province, Malaysia and South Korea. The import volume is 26196.73 tons, 6409.55 tons, and 4535.56 tons respectively; The import amount is $4600.18, $1090.54, and $768.99 respectively.

From the export situation of dioctyl phthalate (DOP), in 2021, China's export volume of DOP was 329.9036 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 106.5%; The export amount was $56.9793 million, a year-on-year increase of 242.4%.

In 2021, the top three destinations for China's export of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) (29173200) were Vietnam, Egypt, and Indonesia, with export quantities of 4686.21 tons, 3765.20 tons, and 3614.00 tons, and export amounts of 7.7542 million US dollars, 6.6195 million US dollars, and 5.7869 million US dollars, respectively. In addition, Taiwan, China, Australia, North Korea, Malaysia, Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico and Bangladesh rank in the top ten.

4. Apparent consumption

DOP is mainly used for the production of PVC plastic soft products, with the main consumption areas being PVC film, PVC artificial leather, plastic shoes, wires and cables, accounting for almost 80% of DOP usage. In recent years, China's apparent consumption of DOP has shown a downward trend. In 2021, the apparent consumption of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China was 1.2932 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 6.1%.

5. Price situation of dioctyl phthalate (DOP)

In 2012, the price of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China reached 12978 yuan/ton, showing a rapid decline for three consecutive years since 2013. From 2016 to 2020, there were two consecutive years of increase and two consecutive years of decrease. In 2020, the price of DOP in China returned to the era of 10000 yuan, reaching 10339 yuan/ton, a year-on-year increase of 40%. In 2021, there was a slight decrease, with a price of 9801 yuan/ton.

From January to July 2022, the price of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) in China showed an inverted "V" shaped trend, rising first and then falling. In July 2022, the price of DOP was 8791 yuan/ton; The year-on-year growth rate was -43.77%, which is lower than the average of 35.959%, putting pressure on the growth rate.

From the perspective of the average import and export prices of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) (29173200), in 2021, the average import and export prices of DOP (29173200) in China increased compared to 2020, with an average import price of 1760.31 US dollars per ton and an increase of 790.73 US dollars per ton compared to 2020; The average export price is 1727.15 US dollars per ton, an increase of 685.30 US dollars per ton compared to 2020.