Malaysia: Market for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) 2025

Market Size for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in Malaysia

In 2021, the Malaysian polystyrene in primary forms market increased by 6.4% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a abrupt contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in Malaysia

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 84%. Polystyrene in primary forms production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, the amount of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) exported from Malaysia expanded notably to X tons, growing by 12% on the year before. In general, exports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 148%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 106%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for polystyrene in primary forms exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, polystyrene in primary forms exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Thailand (X tons), with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China amounted to +35.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+3.2% per year) and Thailand (+8.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) exports from Malaysia, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China amounted to +26.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+0.8% per year) and Thailand (+5.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polystyrene in primary forms export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Singapore (-0.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, purchases abroad of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) decreased by -10.1% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 69%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms imports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 61%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Japan (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of polystyrene in primary forms to Malaysia, with a 37% share of total imports. Moreover, polystyrene in primary forms imports from Japan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), threefold. Singapore (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Japan amounted to +41.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+74.2% per year) and Singapore (-4.2% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X), Singapore ($X) and the United States ($X) constituted the largest polystyrene in primary forms suppliers to Malaysia, with a combined 59% share of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese), Thailand, Spain, Hong Kong SAR, Germany, Australia, the UK, Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Among the main suppliers, Australia, with a CAGR of +83.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average polystyrene in primary forms import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 24%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (-0.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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