Acrylic polymers are commonly known as acrylics. Acrylics have exceptional resistance to UV light, heat, ozone, chemicals, water, stiffening on ageing, and dry-cleaning solvents. As such, acrylics have widespread uses such as backcoating materials in automotive upholstery fabric and carpets, window drapes, and pile fabrics used for outerwear, etc.

According to UN Comtrade Data, the total import and export volume of acrylic polymers worldwide is $25.935 billion in 2017, increased by5.02% compared to $24.695 billion in 2016.

Total Import and Export Volume of Primary Shape Acrylic Polymer 2013-2017 (HS: 390690)

Data Source: UN Comtrade

In 2017, the total import value of the primary shape acrylic polymer is $12.801 billion, increased by 3.89% from 2016; while the total export value is $13.134 billion, increased by 6.15% from 2016. 

Trend of Primary Shape Acrylic Polymer Import and Export Value in 2013-2017 

Data Source: UN Comtrade

From 2013 to 2017, China is the world's largest importer of acrylic polymers, with a total import volume of $7.685 billion dollars, and Germany ranked the second place with a total import volume of $5.027 billion dollars, followed by the United States, France and Italy with a total import volume of $4.163 billion dollars, $2.706 billion dollars and $2.671 billion dollars respectively.

Top 5 Importers of Acrylic Polymers in 2013-2017

Data Source: UN Comtrade

From 2013 to 2017, Germany is the world's largest exporter of acrylic polymers, with a total export value of $10.622 billion dollars, and the United States is the second largest exporter with the export value of $8.968 billion dollars, followed by France, Japan and Belgium with $6.279 billion dollars, $6.057 billion dollars and $5.755 billion dollars respectively. 

Top 5 Exporters of Acrylic Polymers in 2013-2017

Data Source: UN Comtrade

China is now the world's largest acrylic resin consumer and is the largest acrylic resin market. It is expected that the compound annual growth rate from 2014 to 2019 in China will be twice of the globe. However , the acrylic polymers in China are highly dependent on imports due to gap with advanced technology in foreign countries. Therefore, it is a first priority to improve the production equipment, and  technology. 

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