In terms of the overall demand trend of nitrocellulose in China, over 90% of the domestic civilian nitrocellulose is used in the coatings and ink markets. With the fluctuating growth of the overall domestic demand for military and civilian nitrocellulose, the demand for nitrocellulose in China has rebounded since 2018. Data shows that the demand for nitrocellulose in China reached 92,200 tons in 2020, and it slightly increased in 2021 compared to 2020.
In terms of the changes in China’s imports and exports of nitrocellulose, the export volume of nitrocellulose in China is much larger than the import volume. The import volume of nitrocellulose is around several hundred tons, while the annual export volume fluctuates around 20,000 tons. Specifically, in 2021, the overall international demand rose, and China’s nitrocellulose exports increased significantly, reaching a peak in recent years at 28,600 tons. In 2022, with the repeated outbreaks of the epidemic both at home and abroad, the overall demand and production decreased, and the export volume of nitrocellulose dropped to 23,900 tons. Regarding imports, the imports of nitrocellulose in China were 186.54 tons and 80.77 tons in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Our country mainly exports nitrocellulose to the United States and Vietnam, with these two regions accounting for more than half of the domestic nitrocellulose exports. According to the data, in 2022, China exported 6100 tons and 5900 tons of nitrocellulose to the United States and Vietnam respectively， accounting for 25.5% and 24.8% of the national nitrocellulose exports. Countries such as France， Saudi Arabia， and Malaysia accounted for 8.3%， 5.2%， and 4.1% respectively.
Most of the nitrocellulose production enterprises in China have small production scales, unstable quality and limited varieties and models. Their main customers are small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in the production of low-end products in the domestic market, and there is intense price competition among them. Specifically, the current domestic nitrocellulose enterprises include Northern Chemical, Hubei Xuefei, Nantong Tailida, and Jiangxi Jialong.
Currently, Beihua Chemical Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest supplier of nitrocellulose. It accounts for nearly half of the domestic nitrocellulose production. Its products are widely used in defense weapons and equipment, overseas civilian firearms, coatings, inks, and celluloid products, etc. It has grown into the largest nitrocellulose manufacturer in the industry with the most complete product range and the most comprehensive product extension. Data shows that in 2021, the export demand drove a significant increase in the production and sales volume of Beihua Chemical Co., Ltd. In 2022, the export volume contracted and the overall production and sales volume returned to the level of 2020. Specifically, in 2022, the production and sales volume of nitrocellulose of Beihua Chemical Co., Ltd. were 47,900 tons and 47,800 tons respectively.
HEALTHSMILE Company will continue to keep an eye on industry trends and closely cooperate with upstream and downstream enterprises in the cotton lint industry.
As a leading enterprise in the domestic medical and industrial bleaching and refining cotton industry, it will continue to adhere to the concept of serving customers, serving health, and serving society, using high-quality cotton to produce and supply high-quality medical cotton and industrial cotton, and continuously create stable quality and value.
Post time: Sep-18-2025