After India and Thailand, South Korea has initiated trade measures targeting Chinese PVC exports. Per South Korean media reports dated July 8, 2026, the Korea Trade Commission issued Announcement No. 2026-13, launching an anti-dumping investigation into suspension-grade PVC resins manufactured in China to verify dumping allegations and domestic industry injury. The probe focuses on two major Chinese chemical manufacturers: Tianjin Bohua and Wanhua Chemical.
Official trade data shows China’s PVC export volumes to South Korea have surged drastically: 10,900 tons in 2023, 14,400 tons in 2024, and 40,400 tons in 2025.
If dumping is confirmed in the final ruling, South Korea may impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese PVC. Previously, South Korea issued a final verdict on PVC paste resins imported from Germany, France, Norway and Sweden, proposing anti-dumping duties ranging from 25.79% to 31.55%.
Escalating US-Iran geopolitical tensions have driven a rapid rally in international crude oil prices. Both WTI and Brent crude benchmarks rose for two consecutive days, pushing up production costs across the entire chemical industrial chain.
Domestic chemical futures maintained an upward trend on the day: crude oil +3.95%, plastics +1.97%, styrene +1.53%, paraxylene +1.21%, propylene +1.05%. PVC, bottle-grade PET and PP also posted varying gains.
In the spot market, worries over geopolitical conflicts fueled speculative buying sentiment. Major manufacturers including Lihuayi, Dagu and Ningbo Formosa Plastics lifted ABS quotations by RMB 200–600 per ton. Prices of ABS, PE, PP, PC and other resins kept climbing.
However, Xinhua cited US media reports on July 9 that US President Trump stated Iran contacted Washington recently and is eager to reach a deal. This news may ease market fears of further conflict escalation, and the raw material price rally driven by speculative buying over the past two days is expected to slow down gradually.
Post time: Jul-14-2026