Yan Feng
China has become the world's largest carbon black producer and consumer, as the continuously upgrading carbon black production technology leads to a stable growth in domestic capacity. So far, a system in the industry has been well established in China, featuring extensive varieties, reliable performance indicators, relatively reasonable structure, advanced technology and controllable safety and environmental protection. It can not only meet the needs for the development of domestic rubber industry, but also provide high-quality and low-cost products for the global rubber industry.
Import volume in a V shape
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the carbon black import volume in China went up, down and up again, i.e., in a V shape. Figure 1 shows this trend as below.
Figure 1: Import volume of China’s carbon black during the 13th Five-Year Plan period
1. Import origins (country or region)
China mainly imported carbon black from South Korea, Japan, USA, Germany, Taiwan of China and Thailand during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The import volume from the six countries or regions reached 70 533.35 tons in 2016, accounting for about 77.85% of the total import volume; the import volume was 65 044.73 tons in 2020, taking up 74.80% of the total, and it was higher by 18.77% compared with that of 54 764.16 tons in 2019.Table 1 shows the main import origins (country or region) of carbon black in China during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.
2. Import trade modes
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China's carbon black imports were mainly traded by two modes: general trade and processing with imported materials. In 2016, the import volume by the two trade modes reached 89 060.17 tons in 2016, accounting for about 98.30% of the total import volume. In 2020, the import volume by the two modes was 85 275.90 tons, taking up about 98.07% of the total, and it was higher by 15.55% compared with that of 73 797.77 tons in 2019.
General trade was the largest import trade mode of carbon black in China, and the import volume by general trade showed a V shape during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. To be specific, the import volume in 2016 hit 74 483.92 tons, accounting for about 82.21% of the total import volume. The import volume in 2020 was 74 328.46 tons, taking up 85.48% of the total, and it marked an increase of about 10.14% compared with that of 67 483.53 tons in 2019. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, trade of processing with imported materials was the second largest import trade mode of carbon black in China, and the import volume decreased and then increased.
Export volume in an inverted V shape
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the carbon black export volume in China went down, up, and down again, i.e., in an inverted V shape. The export volume was 734 200 tons in 2016, and fell by 0.39% to the minimum of 731 300 tons in 2017. The highest volume reached 879 400 tons in 2018. The export volume in 2020 was 671 800 tons, a year-on-year decrease of about 17.29%. Figure 2 shows China's carbon black export volume during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.
Figure 2: Export volume of China's carbon black during the 13th Five-Year Plan period
1. Export destinations (country or region)
China mainly exported carbon black cargoes to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan of China, Japan and India during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The export volume in the six countries or regions reached 564 400 tons in 2016, accounting for about 76.87% of the total export volume. In 2020, the export volume hit 571 200 tons, accounting for about 85.03% of the total, with a year-on-year decrease of 15.60%.
2. Export trade modes
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China's carbon black exports were mainly conducted by general trade and the volume showed an inverted V shape. The export volume reached 732 700 tons in 2016, accounting for about 99.80% of the total export volume. The export volume was 667 800 tons in 2020, accounting for about 99.40% of the total export volume, with a year-on-year decline of 16.99% from that of 804 500 tons in 2019.
It is expected that the import volume will continue to decline in the future as a result of the continuously increasing capacity and output of carbon black as well as a slowdown in downstream tire market. The export volume will be affected by the moves taken by India, Indonesia and Japan to impose additional tariffs on China's carbon black exports.
