1. Overseas industrial trends

The global plastics and plastic products market is experiencing dual trends: the expansion of packaging materials, rising demand for electric vehicles and mobility materials, and tightening recycling regulations. Greenpeace estimates that South Korea's plastic exports will reach approximately USD 36.23 billion by 2024. Trading Economics
also reports that strengthening recycling and environmental regulations are structurally shifting material demand. 6Wresearch

 

2. Major export items (based on intermediate classification HS)

Korea's plastic exports are divided into raw plastics (polymers) and processed products (packaging materials and automotive plastics), and growth is particularly evident in the Asian market.

division

HS code examples

Representative items

Strategy Points

Basic plastic raw materialsHS39.01~39.15Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PVCFocus on price competitiveness and mass exports
plastic processing productsHS39.20~39.28Packaging films and sheets, plastic parts for automobilesDemand diversification and enhanced functionality
Recycled and high-performance plasticsHS39.x OtherRecycled PET, high-strength composite plasticRegulatory response and high value-added strategy
3. Major exporting countries (size and characteristics by country)

Asia (especially Southeast Asia), China, and Japan are key markets for Korean plastic exports, and changes in trade structure and intensifying competition are key characteristics.

Country/Region

Strong items

Market characteristics

Implications

Vietnam and Southeast AsiaPP raw materials, packaging filmBecame a production hubOpportunities for Korean companies to supply materials and components
chinaRaw materials and processed productsExpanding our own productionRisk of intensifying competition
japanProcessed plastics and composite materialsTechnology and quality focusedPromising entry into the high-performance plastics sector
US/EUFunctional plastics for automobilesMarket with strengthened environment and regulationsThe need for eco-friendly, high-performance materials
4. Production volume / exportable volume

The plastics industry is typically analyzed in tonnes, with exportable volumes influenced by factors such as raw material supply, processing capacity, and demand conditions.

item

Number/estimate

unit

note

2024 export volumeApproximately USD 36.23 billionUSDPlastics and Plastic Products Trading Economics
Domestic production capacity of raw plasticsAbout 19.92 million tonstonGreenpeace, including waste disposal risks
Exportable volume ratioAbout 65-75%%Considering domestic demand, recycling, and export in parallel
5. Quality standards

Plastics and their products are subject to increasingly stringent environmental regulations and quality assurance standards.

field

Main specifications

note

General plastic raw materialsISO 1043-1, ASTM D1238Export standardization is essential
Packaging filmISO 22000, ASTM D882Food contact and safety issues
Plastics for AutomotiveISO 11469, UL94 (flame retardant rating)Material stability and automotive certification compliance
recycled plasticISO 21311, ISO 22095Focus on responding to the circular economy
6. Authentication

In plastics exports, certification is important for entering the materials, packaging, and automotive markets.

division

Certification name

Applicable area

Quality and EnvironmentISO 9001, ISO 14001Global
Plastics for food contactFDA 21 CFR, EU 10/2011US/EU
Automotive materialsIATF 16949, ISO 26262 (components)Global vehicle market
Recycling and circular economyISCC PLUS, UL TR 7300Sustainable Materials Market
7. Logistics conditions

Plastic raw materials and products are lightweight relative to their volume or are mass-produced, making logistics conditions a competitive factor.

Product group

means of transportation

Average lead time

Key Risks

raw plasticBulk carriers and containers15~35 daysFreight, exchange rate, and shipping delays
Plastic products for packagingcontainer10~25 daysVolume/packaging damage
Plastic parts for automobilesAir-sea composite7~20 daysESD/picking error
8. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

Plastics and product groups commonly have bulk trading units.

Product group

MOQ

unit

characteristic

raw plastic1 container (20'/40') or thousands of tonstonFocused on bulk contracts
Packaging plastic products1 container or pallet of several tens of square metersPallet/㎡Consumer goods linkage
Plastic parts for automobiles1 pallet or CTN quantitydogDevelopment/Sample → Mass Production Structure
9. Data Deepening

We provide in-depth indicators, including cost, seasonality, regulatory and tariff risks, and ESG relevance, that can be used for strategic decision-making.

cord

item

example

conjugation

(A)Unit price/transaction price rangeEstimated unit price of Korean plastic exports: USD 2,000-3,000/tonPrice competitiveness analysis
(B)Seasonal patternsOnline sales/packaging materials likely to peak in Q4Production and inventory planning
(C)Tariff and non-tariff risksChina's In-house Production Expansion → Decreasing Market Share in Korea chemorbis.comMarket diversification strategy
(D)Domestic alternative industry dataChanges in recycling and localization ratesSupply chain stability assessment
(E)ESG·Net ZeroPlastic Recycling Market CAGR of 3.5% 2025-31 6WresearchSustainable Materials Strategy
(F)Country-specific risk indexChina competition risk approximately 0.30Competitive Strategy Design
(G)List of major buyersSoutheast Asian packaging material companies and auto parts companiesSales target design
10. Export Forecast Loop

We forecast export trends for the next three months, reflecting recent strengthening of environmental regulations, intensifying competition from China, and rising logistics costs.

segment

ΔExport(%)

ΔPrice(%)

ΔCountryShare(pp)

TrustIndex(0–1)

3M Forecast

raw plastic-0.8%-1.5%−0.2pp0.66Continued impact of Chinese competition and oil prices
Packaged products+1.2%+0.3%+0.1pp0.72Strong demand for online and delivery services
Plastic parts for automobiles+2.0%+0.8%+0.3pp0.78Linked to the recovery of the automobile market