In Q1 the added value of chemical industry increased by 5% year on year.

Data released recently by the National Development and Reform Commission show that in the first quarter, the added value of the chemical industry increased by 5% year-on-year, and the growth rate increased by 2.1 percentage points year-on-year. Among the main products, ethylene production reached 5.06 million tons, an increase of 8.4% over the same period last year. The output of plastics in primary form increased by 6.5%, 1.35 million tons of synthetic rubber by 1.1%, and 11.39 million tons of synthetic fiber by 14.8%. The output of Caustic Soda was 9.1 million tons, an increase of 3.5%, and that of soda was 6.4 million tons, a decrease of 0.1%. The output of chemical fertilizer increased by 2.4% to 13.31 million tons, of which Nitrogen and potassium increased by 2.2% and 20.9% respectively, while phosphorus decreased by 3.3%. The output of pesticides dropped by 3.7% to 490,000 tons. The output of rubber tyres was 187 million, down 4.3%. The output of Calcium Carbide was 6.69 million tons, an increase of 3.4%. The prices of chemical fertilizers and other products under the monitoring are higher than last month. In March, the average price of caustic soda (tablets) was 3520 yuan per ton, down 3.6% from last month and 27.9% from the same period last year. Soda ash 1950 CNY/ton, down 1% from last month, up 6% year on year. Urea was 1990 CNY/ton, up 6.4% from last month and 4.2% from the same period last year; domestic diammonium phosphate was 2710 CNY/ton, up 0.7% and 0.4% from last month. Calcium carbide 2,890 CNY/ton, up 6.6% from last month and 3.6% from the same period last year.