PMDI Export
In July 2025, China exported 64,100 tonnes of polymeric MDI, down 18% year‑on‑year and down 24.8% month-on-month, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC).
China’s polymeric MDI exports from January to July amounted to 476,500 tonnes, down 34% year-on-year.
Exports to ASEAN Countries and India Rise, With Pronounced Regionalization Trend
From January to July, cumulative exports from China to most of Top 10 destinations fell year-on-year, with the exceptions of India, Vietnam, and Thailand, which recorded increases. The polyurethane supply chain is exhibiting an increasingly pronounced regionalization trend. U.S. tariff policies have disrupted global trade flows, accelerating a shift from globalization toward regional trade for China’s polymeric MDI exports.
China’s FTAs with ASEAN economies, and geographic proximity, have also encouraged Chinese appliance, textile and automobile manufacturers to invest in or relocate production to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and other nearby countries. These shifts hedge the trade uncertainty and reduce supply chain disruption risks of enterprises.
Table 1: China’s Top 10 PMDI Export Destinations, Jan-Jul 2025
|
No. |
Export Destination |
Export Volume (tonne) |
Export Value (US$1,000) |
Share (%) |
YoY Change |
| 1 | Russia | 50,309 | 111,730 | 10.6% | -2.2% |
| 2 | Netherlands | 44,852 | 58,270 | 9.4% | -49.7% |
| 3 | Turkey | 38,863 | 64,410 | 8.2% | -18.6% |
| 4 | India | 35,570 | 62,330 | 7.5% | 18.3% |
| 5 | USA | 30,697 | 36,140 | 6.4% | -82.1% |
| 6 | S. Korea | 30,625 | 52,560 | 6.4% | -30.6% |
| 7 | Vietnam | 23,790 | 46,480 | 5.0% | 0.1% |
| 8 | Brazil | 23,075 | 38,500 | 4.8% | -14.5% |
| 9 | Thailand | 22,366 | 41,740 | 4.7% | 5.7% |
| 10 | UAE | 22,301 | 42,360 | 4.7% | -31.1% |
| Others | 154,100 | 273,660 | 32.3% | - | |
| Total | 476,548 | 828,170 | 100.0% | -34.0% |
PMDI Import
In July 2025, China imported 42,300 tonnes of polymeric MDI, up 70.1% year-on-year and up 85.6% month-on-month.
China’s polymeric MDI imports from January to July totaled 205,400 tonnes, up 16.9% year-on-year. Monthly imports had ranged between 20,000-35,000 tonnes from January through June, but surged to 42,000 tonnes in July, driven by higher imports from Saudi Arabia and South Korea, the increase from Saudi Arabia was particularly notable.
China imported 19,700 tonnes of polymeric MDI from Saudi Arabia in July, up 50.7% month-on-month. January-July imports from Saudi Arabia totaled 92,200 tonnes, up 27.6% year-on-year. Strength in China’s PMDI market in May-June, combined with relatively low price levels in the Middle East and Europe (around USD 1,700/tonne), encouraged increased Middle East shipments into China.
Imports from South Korea also rose (Jan-Jul volumes up 27% year-on-year), but Korean goods carried a higher price, compared with the prices imported from Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Table 2: China’s polymeric MDI Imports, Jan-July 2025
| No. | Import Source | Import Volume (tonne) | Import Value (US$1,000) | Share (%) | YoY Change |
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | 92,167 | 124,970 | 44.9% | 27.6% |
| 2 | Japan | 53,810 | 77,270 | 26.2% | -14.3% |
| 3 | S Korea | 48,593 | 94,700 | 23.7% | 27.2% |
| Others | 10,838 | 22,250 | 32.3% | - | |
| Total | 205,408 | 319,190 | 100.0% | 16.9% |
To navigate today’s volatile PMDI market with confidence, PUdaily’s Pricing Intelligence Service provides you with daily prices, pricing charts, weekly market reviews, and in-depth commentary across key regions including China, the Middle East, ASEAN, Europe, and more. Whether you’re monitoring export trends or tracking import shifts and pricing from major suppliers like Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea, our insights help you anticipate changes, optimize sourcing, and make informed decisions.
