EU PVC stats for H1 2025: Imports slump, trade map rewired after AD duties; are new measures on the way?

EU27 statistics for the first half of 2025 reveal a profound reshaping of Europe’s PVC trade landscape. Overall import volumes shrank notably amid persistently weak demand while exports also fell as domestic producers kept operating rates low. In the import market, Asian suppliers sharply increased their share following antidumping duties on US and Egyptian origins.

However, the redirection of trade flows has reportedly triggered a formal complaint by European producers to the European Commission, seeking protection against surging imports from South Korea, China, and Taiwan.

H1 2025 PVC imports to the EU27 down 27% on year

According to ChemOrbis Stats Wizard, the EU27 imported around 220,000 tons of PVC in January–June 2025, compared with 300,000 tons in the same period of 2024. This marks a 27% yearly decrease, reflecting how sluggish downstream consumption reduced Europe’s import appetite.

Although the disappearance of US and Egyptian cargoes played a visible role, the overall contraction in Europe’s PVC imports mainly reflected a slump in consumption. Despite abundant global supply and aggressive Asian offers, weak downstream demand across the region limited the need for replacement volumes.

US and Egypt effectively locked out after AD duties

Imports from the United States and Egypt — once two key suppliers to Europe — fell to negligible levels after the EU imposed provisional duties in mid-2024 and definitive antidumping measures in January 2025. The steep duties, as high as 58–100%, made these origins uncompetitive for European buyers.

In the first half of 2024, the US and Egypt together accounted for nearly half of total EU27 imports, with the US ranking as the top supplier at around 110,000 tons. By H1 2025, US-origin imports slumped to barely 10,000 tons, reducing their share under 5%, while no PVC imports were recorded from Egypt during the same period. This sharp collapse underscores how the new antidumping duties effectively shut both origins out of the European market, leaving a supply gap that has since been only partially filled by Asian cargoes.

Asia steps up amid shrinking total volumes

South Korea, Taiwan and China increased their shipments to Europe to rank among the top five suppliers during the first half of 2025, taking advantage of the gap left by US and Egyptian cargoes. Imports from China posted the most striking surge, supported by competitive pricing and oversupply, with volumes rising eightfold, or by 700% year on year. Imports from S. Korea and Taiwan rose by around 95% and 75%, respectively, compared with the same period of 2024.

Even so, these gains unfolded within a contracting import pool, meaning that Asia’s growing share reflected redistribution rather than a real expansion of Europe’s import demand. Buyers confirmed that competitive Asian offers were available at discounts to European producers’ prices, keeping a lid on regional market levels despite the fall in overall inflows.

Producers reportedly advance AD complaint against Asian imports; safeguard measures also on the table

As Asian-origin PVC gained ground in Europe’s import mix, market participants reported that European PVC producers have already submitted an official complaint to the European Commission regarding Asian-origin PVC imports. This was said to have been discussed on the sidelines of the K 2025 Fair in Germany, although no formal confirmation has been issued so far. According to sources, at least two major producers are believed to be behind the filing, which could pave the way for the launch of an antidumping investigation in the coming months.

Some players noted that the complaint may also lead to the implementation of safeguard measures, a tool regarded as faster to apply and similar to those already used in the steel industry. Reports further suggest that at least one producer has requested investigation to be applied retroactively, underscoring the industry’s growing alarm over rising imports from South Korea, China, and Taiwan.

Should the European Commission act on the complaint, the ensuing investigation could mark a new phase of protectionism for Europe’s PVC market, which is already adjusting to the recent antidumping duties on US and Egyptian origins.

Mexico dominates as Türkiye and Norway expand presence

Other origins, including Mexico, Norway, and Türkiye, further cemented their presence in the European market, buoyed by geographic proximity and established trade agreements. While overall volumes saw little year-on-year change, Mexico’s share surged from approximately 26% to 36%, securing its position as the leading supplier to the EU27 in H1 2025. Norwegian imports increased by 18% compared to the previous year, whereas Türkiye’s shipments soared by roughly 167%. Consequently, Türkiye’s share climbed from around 1% to 4%, and Norway’s share rose from 10% to roughly 16%.

Weak demand and high costs also trim Europe’s PVC exports in H1

European PVC producers continued to run at reduced operating rates through the first half of 2025 due to persistently weak construction demand and elevated energy costs. Several producers have either idled capacities or announced rationalisation plans, trimming export availability and altering intra-regional flows. Indeed, H1 2025 exports staged a drop of 10% on the year.

European producers, facing limited export outlets amid profitability concerns, deliberately reduced output to avoid selling material at a loss. Despite the reduced operating rates, a supply overhang persisted because domestic demand remained too sluggish to absorb available material. This, in turn, has limited import requirements and capped any potential price recovery. Consequently, lower imports and exports were unable to offset the sharp collapse in demand, leaving the market with persistent supply pressures.