The added value of chemical industry increased by 2.9% year-on-year

In the first quarter, The added value of chemical industry increased by 2.9% year-on-year.

Data released on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission show that in the first quarter, the added value of the chemical industry increased by 2.9% year-on-year, and the growth rate fell by 2.6 percentage points year-on-year. In the main products, ethylene production was 4.59 million tons, down 0.4%. The output of plastics in primary form was 20.9 million tons, an increase of 3.4%; that of synthetic rubber was 1.35 million tons, an increase of 6.6%; that of synthetic fibers was 10 million tons, an increase of 2.8%.

The output of caustic soda was 8.59 million tons, an increase of 0.3%, and that of soda was 6.46 million tons, an increase of 6.4%. The output of chemical fertilizer was 13.07 million tons, down 11.1%; among them, nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer decreased 12.4%, 7.2% and 12.7% respectively. The output of pesticides was 660,000 tons, down 11.5%. The output of rubber tyres was 209.77 million, an increase of 0.2%. The output of calcium carbide was 6.33 million tons, an increase of 1.4%.

Prices of some of the chemicals monitored were lower than last month. In March, the average price of caustic soda (tablet alkali) was 4880 CNY/ton, 13% higher than last month and 47.4% higher than that of the previous month, while that of soda 1840 CNY/ton was 2.1% lower than that of last month and 14.4% lower than that of last month. Urea was 1910 CNY/ton, down 5% from last month, up 14.4% from last month; domestic diammonium phosphate was 2700 CNY/ton, down 2.5% from last month and up 12.5% from last month. Calcium carbide 2790 CNY/ton, down 1.8% from last month, up 9% from the same period last year.