China is anticipated to be at the forefront of global ethylene capacity additions by 2030. This growth is expected to be driven by the country’s vast manufacturing base and its burgeoning domestic demand for ethylene derivatives. As the largest importer of ethylene, China’s move towards expanding its capacity is a strategic effort to reduce reliance on imports and boost its domestic petrochemical industry.
By 2030, there will be a total of 26 projects in China, which are projected to add an overall capacity of 33.03 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). Among these, 19 projects are currently under construction, with an estimated capacity addition of 21.43mtpa. The remaining 11.60mtpa capacity is expected to be added by seven projects in the pre-construction stage.
The major capacity addition in the country is from a project in pre-construction- ‘Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Longkou Ethylene Plant 3’, which is situated in Longkou. It is expected to come online in 2030, with a capacity of 5.20mtpa. Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Ltd is the operator of the plant with a 100% equity stake.
Upcoming ethylene capacity additions (mtpa) in China, 2025-2030
The ‘SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Zhangzhou Ethylene Plant’ and the ‘Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Panjin Ethylene Plant’ are two noteworthy upcoming projects in the country. Both projects are under construction and are likely to add a capacity of 1.80mtpa and 1.65mtpa, respectively.
Additionally, the ‘CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Huizhou Ethylene Plant 3’ and ‘Exxon Mobil Corporation Huizhou Ethylene Plant 1 represent other significant capacity additions in China, each with 1.60mtpa. Both projects are located in Guangdong and are projected to begin operations in 2026 and 2028, respectively.
Further details of global ethylene capacity and CapEx analysis can be found in GlobalData’s new report, Ethylene Market Analysis and Forecast by Products, Capacity Additions, Top Countries and Active and Upcoming Projects to 2030.
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