GITNUXREPORT 2026

China Chemical Industry Statistics

China's vast chemical industry leads globally with extensive production and growth.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production in China was 15.2 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 2

Tires production totaled 850 million units in 2022.

Statistic 3

Pharmaceutical intermediates output reached 2.8 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 4

Pesticides production was 4.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 5

Lithium battery chemicals demand was 1.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 6

Fine chemicals market size was 450 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 7

Synthetic fibers production hit 60 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 8

Paints and coatings output was 28 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 9

Detergents and surfactants production totaled 12.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 10

Electronic chemicals consumption was 800,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 11

Bio-based chemicals production reached 1.2 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 12

Water treatment chemicals market was 150 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 13

Adhesives output was 9.8 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 14

Dyes production totaled 1.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 15

Catalysts market size hit 120 billion RMB in 2023.

Statistic 16

Rubber chemicals consumption was 1.8 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 17

Food additives production reached 3.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 18

Explosives output was 4.2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 19

Carbon black production hit 7.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 20

Flavors and fragrances market was 80 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 21

Plasticizers production totaled 5.6 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 22

Resins (non-petchem) output was 18 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 23

Inorganic pigments production reached 2.4 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 24

Polymer additives market size was 200 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 25

Veterinary chemicals output was 650,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 26

Cosmetic raw materials consumption hit 1.9 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 27

Refractory materials production totaled 35 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 28

The total revenue of China's chemical industry was 17.8 trillion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 29

Chemical industry profit margin averaged 5.4% in 2023.

Statistic 30

China's chemical market size grew to 2.1 trillion USD in 2023.

Statistic 31

R&D expenditure in chemical sector was 320 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 32

Number of chemical enterprises in China exceeded 1.2 million in 2023.

Statistic 33

Chemical industry contributed 4.2% to China's GDP in 2022.

Statistic 34

Average chemical product price index rose 3.1% in 2023.

Statistic 35

Fixed asset investment in chemicals was 1.45 trillion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 36

Chemical employment totaled 25 million people in 2023.

Statistic 37

Industry sales revenue growth was 6.8% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 38

Chemical export value hit 120 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 39

Profit growth rate was 4.2% in chemical sector 2023.

Statistic 40

Market capitalization of top chemical firms was 1.2 trillion RMB in 2023.

Statistic 41

Chemical industry tax revenue contributed 450 billion RMB in 2022.

Statistic 42

Capacity utilization rate averaged 78% in 2023.

Statistic 43

Inventory turnover ratio was 4.2 times in chemical industry 2022.

Statistic 44

Foreign investment in chemicals reached 15 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 45

Chemical sector ROE averaged 8.5% in 2022.

Statistic 46

Total assets of chemical industry were 28 trillion RMB in 2023.

Statistic 47

EBITDA margin for chemicals was 12.3% in 2022.

Statistic 48

Chemical production PMI index averaged 51.2 in 2023.

Statistic 49

Debt-to-equity ratio was 55% industry-wide in 2022.

Statistic 50

Chemical wholesale price index increased 2.8% in 2023.

Statistic 51

Number of listed chemical companies was 450 in 2023.

Statistic 52

Industry value added grew 5.1% YoY in 2022.

Statistic 53

Chemical sector current ratio averaged 1.8 in 2023.

Statistic 54

Revenue per employee was 710,000 RMB in 2022.

Statistic 55

Chemical industry accounted for 12% of manufacturing output in 2023.

Statistic 56

In 2022, China's chemical industry total output reached 1.02 billion metric tons, marking a 5.2% year-on-year increase.

Statistic 57

China's ethylene production capacity expanded to 28.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) by end-2023.

Statistic 58

Methanol production in China hit 82.3 million tons in 2022, accounting for 62% of global output.

Statistic 59

China's PVC production volume was 24.1 million tons in 2023, up 4.8% from 2022.

Statistic 60

Coal-to-olefins capacity in China reached 15.2 MTPA in 2023.

Statistic 61

China's soda ash production totaled 42.6 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 62

Propylene production in China was 21.4 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 63

China's benzene production capacity stood at 14.8 MTPA by 2023.

Statistic 64

TDI production in China reached 1.45 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 65

China's caustic soda output was 38.7 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 66

MDI production capacity in China expanded to 8.2 MTPA in 2023.

Statistic 67

China's glyphosate production was 450,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 68

Synthetic rubber production in China hit 6.1 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 69

China's adipic acid output reached 1.82 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 70

Polypropylene production volume was 28.3 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 71

China's titanium dioxide production totaled 4.2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 72

Acetic acid production in China was 18.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 73

China's ammonium nitrate output stood at 2.8 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 74

Phenol production capacity reached 9.1 MTPA in 2023.

Statistic 75

China's VCM production was 22.4 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 76

PTA production in China hit 62 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 77

China's caprolactam output was 1.35 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 78

Styrene production volume reached 12.6 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 79

China's hydrogen peroxide production was 4.8 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 80

Epichlorohydrin output totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 81

China's p-xylene production capacity was 45 MTPA in 2023.

Statistic 82

Maleic anhydride production hit 1.2 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 83

China's dimethylformamide output was 850,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 84

Butadiene production volume stood at 7.9 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 85

China's citric acid production reached 3.1 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 86

CO2 emissions from chemical industry were 1.2 billion tons in 2022.

Statistic 87

Energy consumption per ton of chemicals fell 3.2% in 2023.

Statistic 88

Number of green chemical plants reached 1,500 in 2022.

Statistic 89

Hazardous waste from chemicals totaled 120 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 90

Renewable energy use in chemicals was 15% in 2022.

Statistic 91

Carbon trading volume in chemical sector was 50 million tons CO2e in 2023.

Statistic 92

Water recycling rate in industry averaged 85% in 2022.

Statistic 93

VOC emissions reduced by 20% from 2020 baseline in 2023.

Statistic 94

Number of chemical parks with zero discharge: 250 in 2022.

Statistic 95

Green patents in chemicals filed: 45,000 in 2023.

Statistic 96

Sulfur recovery rate from refineries: 98.5% in 2022.

Statistic 97

PM2.5 emissions from chemicals down 15% in 2023.

Statistic 98

Biodegradable plastics production: 2.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 99

Environmental fines in chemical sector: 12 billion RMB in 2023.

Statistic 100

Closed plants due to pollution: 1,200 in 2022.

Statistic 101

Renewable feedstock use grew 25% to 5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 102

NOx emissions cut by 18% in chemical plants 2022.

Statistic 103

Circular economy enterprises: 8,000 in chemical industry 2023.

Statistic 104

Wastewater treatment capacity: 4 billion m3/year in 2022.

Statistic 105

ESG compliance rate: 72% among top firms in 2023.

Statistic 106

Coal use in chemicals dropped 10% to 400 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 107

China's chemical exports to the US were 25 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 108

Total chemical imports into China reached 85 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 109

Chemical trade surplus was 35 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 110

Exports of organic chemicals from China hit 60 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 111

China imported 12 million tons of ethylene feedstock in 2022.

Statistic 112

Chemical exports to EU countries totaled 40 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 113

China's share of global chemical exports was 38% in 2022.

Statistic 114

Imports of specialty chemicals were 15 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 115

Chemical trade with ASEAN reached 30 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 116

China exported 18 million tons of fertilizers in 2023.

Statistic 117

Potash imports into China were 8.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 118

Chemical tariffs on US imports averaged 10.2% in 2023.

Statistic 119

Exports of plastics from China totaled 45 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 120

China-India chemical trade volume was 12 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 121

LNG imports for chemical feedstock hit 70 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 122

Chemical exports growth to Belt and Road countries was 8% in 2023.

Statistic 123

Imports of high-end dyes and pigments were 2.5 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 124

China's chemical re-exports surged 15% to 10 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 125

Trade balance with Japan in chemicals was +5 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 126

Exports of inorganic chemicals reached 20 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 127

Naphtha imports for crackers were 25 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 128

Chemical FDI from EU was 8 billion USD in 2023.

Statistic 129

Exports to Africa grew 12% to 6 billion USD in 2022.

Statistic 130

Anti-dumping cases on Chinese chemicals numbered 45 in 2023.

Statistic 131

Propylene oxide exports were 1.2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 132

China's share in global fertilizer trade was 25% in 2023.

Statistic 133

Chemical service trade (tech) was 3 billion USD in 2022.

1/133

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While the numbers can seem staggering—from powering 62% of the world's methanol to producing enough tires for over 100 per person—the real story of China's chemical industry is how its sheer scale, strategic investments, and shifting sustainability focus are reshaping the global market.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, China's chemical industry total output reached 1.02 billion metric tons, marking a 5.2% year-on-year increase.
China's ethylene production capacity expanded to 28.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) by end-2023.
Methanol production in China hit 82.3 million tons in 2022, accounting for 62% of global output.
The total revenue of China's chemical industry was 17.8 trillion RMB in 2022.
Chemical industry profit margin averaged 5.4% in 2023.
China's chemical market size grew to 2.1 trillion USD in 2023.
China's chemical exports to the US were 25 billion USD in 2022.
Total chemical imports into China reached 85 billion USD in 2023.
Chemical trade surplus was 35 billion USD in 2022.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production in China was 15.2 million tons in 2023.
Tires production totaled 850 million units in 2022.
Pharmaceutical intermediates output reached 2.8 million tons in 2023.
CO2 emissions from chemical industry were 1.2 billion tons in 2022.
Energy consumption per ton of chemicals fell 3.2% in 2023.
Number of green chemical plants reached 1,500 in 2022.

China's vast chemical industry leads globally with extensive production and growth.

Major Products and Segments

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production in China was 15.2 million tons in 2023.
Tires production totaled 850 million units in 2022.
Pharmaceutical intermediates output reached 2.8 million tons in 2023.
Pesticides production was 4.1 million tons in 2022.
Lithium battery chemicals demand was 1.5 million tons in 2023.
Fine chemicals market size was 450 billion RMB in 2022.
Synthetic fibers production hit 60 million tons in 2023.
Paints and coatings output was 28 million tons in 2022.
Detergents and surfactants production totaled 12.5 million tons in 2023.
Electronic chemicals consumption was 800,000 tons in 2022.
Bio-based chemicals production reached 1.2 million tons in 2023.
Water treatment chemicals market was 150 billion RMB in 2022.
Adhesives output was 9.8 million tons in 2023.
Dyes production totaled 1.1 million tons in 2022.
Catalysts market size hit 120 billion RMB in 2023.
Rubber chemicals consumption was 1.8 million tons in 2022.
Food additives production reached 3.5 million tons in 2023.
Explosives output was 4.2 million tons in 2022.
Carbon black production hit 7.5 million tons in 2023.
Flavors and fragrances market was 80 billion RMB in 2022.
Plasticizers production totaled 5.6 million tons in 2023.
Resins (non-petchem) output was 18 million tons in 2022.
Inorganic pigments production reached 2.4 million tons in 2023.
Polymer additives market size was 200 billion RMB in 2022.
Veterinary chemicals output was 650,000 tons in 2023.
Cosmetic raw materials consumption hit 1.9 million tons in 2022.
Refractory materials production totaled 35 million tons in 2023.

Major Products and Segments Interpretation

China’s chemical industry is essentially a vast, pragmatic alchemist’s workshop, diligently transforming base feedstocks into everything from our water bottles, tires, and medicines to our snacks, paints, and perfumes, all while quietly keeping the water clean and the factories humming.

Market and Economic Indicators

The total revenue of China's chemical industry was 17.8 trillion RMB in 2022.
Chemical industry profit margin averaged 5.4% in 2023.
China's chemical market size grew to 2.1 trillion USD in 2023.
R&D expenditure in chemical sector was 320 billion RMB in 2022.
Number of chemical enterprises in China exceeded 1.2 million in 2023.
Chemical industry contributed 4.2% to China's GDP in 2022.
Average chemical product price index rose 3.1% in 2023.
Fixed asset investment in chemicals was 1.45 trillion RMB in 2022.
Chemical employment totaled 25 million people in 2023.
Industry sales revenue growth was 6.8% YoY in 2023.
Chemical export value hit 120 billion USD in 2022.
Profit growth rate was 4.2% in chemical sector 2023.
Market capitalization of top chemical firms was 1.2 trillion RMB in 2023.
Chemical industry tax revenue contributed 450 billion RMB in 2022.
Capacity utilization rate averaged 78% in 2023.
Inventory turnover ratio was 4.2 times in chemical industry 2022.
Foreign investment in chemicals reached 15 billion USD in 2023.
Chemical sector ROE averaged 8.5% in 2022.
Total assets of chemical industry were 28 trillion RMB in 2023.
EBITDA margin for chemicals was 12.3% in 2022.
Chemical production PMI index averaged 51.2 in 2023.
Debt-to-equity ratio was 55% industry-wide in 2022.
Chemical wholesale price index increased 2.8% in 2023.
Number of listed chemical companies was 450 in 2023.
Industry value added grew 5.1% YoY in 2022.
Chemical sector current ratio averaged 1.8 in 2023.
Revenue per employee was 710,000 RMB in 2022.
Chemical industry accounted for 12% of manufacturing output in 2023.

Market and Economic Indicators Interpretation

China's chemical industry is a colossal economic engine—employing 25 million people and generating trillions in revenue—yet it runs on the surprisingly modest, caffeinated margins of a corner shop, proving that vast scale and razor-thin profitability can somehow coexist.

Production and Capacity

In 2022, China's chemical industry total output reached 1.02 billion metric tons, marking a 5.2% year-on-year increase.
China's ethylene production capacity expanded to 28.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) by end-2023.
Methanol production in China hit 82.3 million tons in 2022, accounting for 62% of global output.
China's PVC production volume was 24.1 million tons in 2023, up 4.8% from 2022.
Coal-to-olefins capacity in China reached 15.2 MTPA in 2023.
China's soda ash production totaled 42.6 million tons in 2022.
Propylene production in China was 21.4 million tons in 2023.
China's benzene production capacity stood at 14.8 MTPA by 2023.
TDI production in China reached 1.45 million tons in 2022.
China's caustic soda output was 38.7 million tons in 2023.
MDI production capacity in China expanded to 8.2 MTPA in 2023.
China's glyphosate production was 450,000 tons in 2022.
Synthetic rubber production in China hit 6.1 million tons in 2023.
China's adipic acid output reached 1.82 million tons in 2022.
Polypropylene production volume was 28.3 million tons in 2023.
China's titanium dioxide production totaled 4.2 million tons in 2022.
Acetic acid production in China was 18.5 million tons in 2023.
China's ammonium nitrate output stood at 2.8 million tons in 2022.
Phenol production capacity reached 9.1 MTPA in 2023.
China's VCM production was 22.4 million tons in 2023.
PTA production in China hit 62 million tons in 2022.
China's caprolactam output was 1.35 million tons in 2023.
Styrene production volume reached 12.6 million tons in 2022.
China's hydrogen peroxide production was 4.8 million tons in 2023.
Epichlorohydrin output totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022.
China's p-xylene production capacity was 45 MTPA in 2023.
Maleic anhydride production hit 1.2 million tons in 2023.
China's dimethylformamide output was 850,000 tons in 2022.
Butadiene production volume stood at 7.9 million tons in 2023.
China's citric acid production reached 3.1 million tons in 2022.

Production and Capacity Interpretation

China's chemical industry isn't just keeping pace with global demand; it's essentially building the modern world molecule by colossal molecule, producing everything from the plastic in your phone to the fertilizer for your food at a scale that quietly underscores its indispensable role in the global supply chain.

Sustainability and Regulation

CO2 emissions from chemical industry were 1.2 billion tons in 2022.
Energy consumption per ton of chemicals fell 3.2% in 2023.
Number of green chemical plants reached 1,500 in 2022.
Hazardous waste from chemicals totaled 120 million tons in 2023.
Renewable energy use in chemicals was 15% in 2022.
Carbon trading volume in chemical sector was 50 million tons CO2e in 2023.
Water recycling rate in industry averaged 85% in 2022.
VOC emissions reduced by 20% from 2020 baseline in 2023.
Number of chemical parks with zero discharge: 250 in 2022.
Green patents in chemicals filed: 45,000 in 2023.
Sulfur recovery rate from refineries: 98.5% in 2022.
PM2.5 emissions from chemicals down 15% in 2023.
Biodegradable plastics production: 2.5 million tons in 2022.
Environmental fines in chemical sector: 12 billion RMB in 2023.
Closed plants due to pollution: 1,200 in 2022.
Renewable feedstock use grew 25% to 5 million tons in 2023.
NOx emissions cut by 18% in chemical plants 2022.
Circular economy enterprises: 8,000 in chemical industry 2023.
Wastewater treatment capacity: 4 billion m3/year in 2022.
ESG compliance rate: 72% among top firms in 2023.
Coal use in chemicals dropped 10% to 400 million tons in 2022.

Sustainability and Regulation Interpretation

China's chemical industry appears locked in a determined, if paradoxical, waltz, where each step forward in efficiency and green innovation is shadowed by the stubborn, massive footprint of its own colossal scale.

Trade and International Relations

China's chemical exports to the US were 25 billion USD in 2022.
Total chemical imports into China reached 85 billion USD in 2023.
Chemical trade surplus was 35 billion USD in 2022.
Exports of organic chemicals from China hit 60 billion USD in 2023.
China imported 12 million tons of ethylene feedstock in 2022.
Chemical exports to EU countries totaled 40 billion USD in 2023.
China's share of global chemical exports was 38% in 2022.
Imports of specialty chemicals were 15 billion USD in 2023.
Chemical trade with ASEAN reached 30 billion USD in 2022.
China exported 18 million tons of fertilizers in 2023.
Potash imports into China were 8.5 million tons in 2022.
Chemical tariffs on US imports averaged 10.2% in 2023.
Exports of plastics from China totaled 45 billion USD in 2022.
China-India chemical trade volume was 12 billion USD in 2023.
LNG imports for chemical feedstock hit 70 million tons in 2022.
Chemical exports growth to Belt and Road countries was 8% in 2023.
Imports of high-end dyes and pigments were 2.5 billion USD in 2022.
China's chemical re-exports surged 15% to 10 billion USD in 2023.
Trade balance with Japan in chemicals was +5 billion USD in 2022.
Exports of inorganic chemicals reached 20 billion USD in 2023.
Naphtha imports for crackers were 25 million tons in 2022.
Chemical FDI from EU was 8 billion USD in 2023.
Exports to Africa grew 12% to 6 billion USD in 2022.
Anti-dumping cases on Chinese chemicals numbered 45 in 2023.
Propylene oxide exports were 1.2 million tons in 2022.
China's share in global fertilizer trade was 25% in 2023.
Chemical service trade (tech) was 3 billion USD in 2022.

Trade and International Relations Interpretation

China has perfected the global chemical trade's most telling alchemy: turning mountains of imported feedstock and specialty chemicals into an even larger mountain of exported polymers and fertilizers, thereby transmuting a massive trade deficit into a commanding strategic surplus.

Sources & References

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