Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

U.S. - Polystyrene, In Primary Forms - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Polystyrene Prices in the United States

U.S. Polystyrene Import Price per Ton in August 2022

In August 2022, the polystyrene price per ton amounted to $2.6K (CIF, US), shrinking by -2.8% against the previous month. Over the last seven months, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in June 2022 when the average import price increased by 7.6% m-o-m. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $2.6K per ton in July 2022, and then shrank slightly in the following month.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In August 2022, the country with the highest price was Canada ($2.9K per ton), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($1.8K per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Polystyrene Import Prices by Type

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplied products. In August 2022, the product with the highest price was expansible polystyrene in primary forms ($2.7K per ton), while the price for polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) amounted to $2.3K per ton.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by polystyrene in primary forms (+3.2%).

U.S. Polystyrene Imports

In August 2022, approximately 36K tons of polystyrene were imported into the United States; picking up by 25% on July 2022 figures. The total import volume increased at an average monthly rate of +5.4% from January 2022 to August 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain months. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when imports increased by 27% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in August 2022.

In value terms, polystyrene imports surged to $93M (IndexBox estimates) in August 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from January 2022 to August 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +8.5% over the last seven months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on August 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.3% against March 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2022 when imports increased by 33% month-to-month. Imports peaked in August 2022.

U.S. Polystyrene Imports by Type

Expansible polystyrene in primary forms (24K tons) and polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) (12K tons) were the main products of polystyrene imports to the United States.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the biggest increases were in polystyrene in primary forms (with a CAGR of +7.8%).

In value terms, expansible polystyrene in primary forms ($65M) constituted the largest type of polystyrene supplied to the United States, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) ($28M), with a 30% share of total imports.

U.S. Polystyrene Imports by Country

In August 2022, Mexico (18K tons) constituted the largest polystyrene supplier to the United States, with a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, polystyrene imports from Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (5.6K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by South Korea (4.4K tons), with a 12% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly growth rate of volume from Mexico totaled +1.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Canada (+0.5% per month) and South Korea (+22.7% per month).

In value terms, Mexico ($45M) constituted the largest supplier of polystyrene to the United States, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($16M), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with an 11% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly growth rate of value from Mexico totaled +6.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Canada (+2.3% per month) and South Korea (+26.5% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the polystyrene market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

Prodcom 20162035 - Expansible polystyrene, in primary forms
Prodcom 20162039 - Polystyrene, in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene)

Country coverage:

United States

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

Take advantage of the latest data
Find deeper insights into current market developments
Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2024
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
12. Exports and Growth, By Product
13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
14. Production Volume and Growth
15. Exports and Growth
16. Export Prices and Growth
17. Market Size and Growth
18. Per Capita Consumption
19. Imports and Growth
20. Import Prices
21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024