which country most import RPO ?
Introduction: UAE Leads the Way in Rubber Processing Oil Exports
Every year, the UAE exports massive amounts of Rubber Processing Oil exports to many countries. This oil—also called RPO or rubber process oil—plays a vital role in making tires, adhesives, and other rubber products. Most importantly, Basekim, a key UAE-based supplier, ships high-quality RPO to nations like Turkey, China, India, Vietnam, South Korea, and more.
In this article, we’ll analyze which country imports RPO, reveal export volumes by destination, and highlight the leading rubber processing oil types that power global rubber industries. Through clear transitions and data-driven insight, you’ll see how UAE RPO shipments shape international trade.
Understanding Types of Rubber Processing Oil
Before diving into trade numbers, let’s clarify RPO types. The UAE exports several categories of rubber processing oil exports, including:
Aromatic RPO – high solvency, used in tough compounding
Paraffinic RPO – stable and low-cost, for general purposes
Furfural extract, MES (Mild Extracted Solvent), RAE (Residual Aromatic Extract) – solvent-refined specialty oils
DAE (De-Aromatized Extract), TDAE (Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract) – cleaner oils for industrial applications
These oils differ in chemical makeup and usage, hence they all fall under the RPO umbrella. As a result, manufacturers choose the type that best supports their tire, sealant, or adhesive production needs.
How the UAE Became a Top Rubber Processing Oil Exporter
The UAE built its reputation by refining crude and exporting high-quality Rubber Processing Oil exports. Over time, Basekim and other exporters improved distillation techniques and chemical treatment methods. Consequently, UAE RPO gained global recognition for consistency and purity.
Furthermore, the UAE’s strategic location—between Asia, Europe, and Africa—along with its world-class ports made it easier to ship large volumes. As a result, by 2015, the UAE became a central hub for RPO exports.
2015 RPO Exports: Top Importing Countries
The following table shows which country imports RPO from the UAE in 2015, with reported tonnage:
Rank | Country | RPO Import (tonnes) |
---|---|---|
1 | UAE (internal use) | 277,013,530 |
2 | China | 94,492,359 |
3 | India | 35,876,830 |
4 | Vietnam | 8,830,545 |
5 | South Korea | 10,129,812 |
6 | Pakistan | 4,801,184 |
7 | Malaysia | 3,381,484 |
8 | Taiwan | 2,245,238 |
9 | Australia | 2,358,037 |
10 | Philippines | 1,152,100 |
11 | Indonesia | 1,177,904 |
12 | Myanmar | 415,853 |
13 | Peru | 251,362 |
14 | Sri Lanka | 200,964 |
15 | Turkmenistan | 144,000 |
16 | Bangladesh | 82,488 |
17 | Kenya | 80,304 |
18 | Thailand | 67,100 |
19 | Singapore | 49,822 |
20 | Iraq | 44,840 |
21 | Puerto Rico | 16,540 |
22 | South Africa | 16,545 |
From largest to smallest, these countries highlight how widely the UAE distributes RPO. Notably, China dominated imports, while countries like Singapore and South Africa received smaller volumes.
Why China Tops RPO Imports
Looking at the data, China received 94 million tonnes of UAE RPO in 2015—second only to the UAE’s own usage. This high demand reflects China’s massive rubber industry, where RPO plays a key role in tire and sealant manufacturing. Moreover, Chinese companies value UAE RPO’s consistent quality and logistics reliability.
Other Leading Importers: India, Vietnam, South Korea
Following China, India imported nearly 36 million tonnes, while Vietnam and South Korea brought in 8.8 million and 10.1 million tonnes respectively. These countries boast strong rubber processing industries:
India manufactures tires and rubber goods for local and export markets
Vietnam supports growing automotive and industrial sectors
South Korea relies on RPO in chemical and electronics manufacturing
In each case, Rubber Processing Oil exports from the UAE make up a significant portion of their supply chain.
Emerging Markets: Southeast Asia and Beyond
The UAE also supports smaller but growing markets for RPO exports. Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh all received between 80,000 and 3.4 million tonnes in 2015. Although smaller, these volumes highlight expanding demand as manufacturing shifts regionally.
Moreover, nations such as Pakistan, Myanmar, and Turkmenistan represent emerging markets where rubber process oil trade is gaining momentum.
Basekim’s Role and Exports to Turkey
Although Turkey didn’t appear in the 2015 import list, Turkish manufacturers remain connected to UAE RPO exporters. Companies like Basekim have strong trade ties with Turkey, often shipping DAE, TDAE, and aromatic RPO types there. As Turkey’s tire industry expands, those trade volumes likely increased since 2015.
In fact, for UAE–Turkey trade, RPO forms part of larger chemical exports, benefiting from free trade agreements and shared logistical networks.
UAE–Turkey RPO Partnership: A Growing Connection
Because Turkey imports RPO from the UAE, companies—including Basekim—benefit from streamlined customs processes, reliable shipping lanes, and shared chemical handling standards. Consequently, the UAE–Turkey RPO trade continues to grow, even if official tonnage in 2015 wasn’t significant. After all, they share a history of exchanging chemicals, plastics, and rubber raw materials.
Summary of Key Benefits for Importers
Overall, importing Rubber Processing Oil exports from the UAE offers several major advantages:
Quality and consistency – UAE refineries produce RPO within global standards
Shipping efficiency – Major ports and preferred trade routes support fast delivery
Customized formulations – Exporters like Basekim adapt oil types to meet industry needs
Market responsiveness – UAE exporters adjust volume based on India, China, and Southeast Asia demands
termination : UAE as a Global RPO Export Hub
To sum up, the UAE stands out as a top global provider of Rubber Processing Oil exports, with large-scale exports to China, India, Vietnam, and others. In addition, trade to Turkey continues to expand through firms like Basekim, reflecting growing global networks.
With diversified RPO types—like aromatic, paraffinic, and solvent-extracted oils—the UAE chemical sector caters to a wide range of industrial uses. Consequently, UAE-based exporters remain critical in supporting global rubber manufacturing.
Therefore, whether you’re in tire production, industrial rubber, or chemicals, tracking which country imports RPO and how those imports evolve serves as a key indicator of industry health and future opportunities.