Ethylene is a colorless, flammable gas and the simplest alkene, playing a crucial role in the global chemical industry. It serves as a fundamental building block for a wide array of chemicals and plastics, including polyethylene, ethylene glycol, vinyl acetate and ethylene oxide. Ethylene is primarily produced through the cracking of hydrocarbons such as natural gas, naphtha, and ethane.
The market for ethylene is strongly influenced by the demand for its derivatives, particularly polyethylene, which finds extensive use in packaging, automotive components, construction materials, agrochemicals, and textiles. The rising global working population fuels the need for packaged food and beverages, directly boosting the polyethylene market and consequently the ethylene market.
Ethylene Demand Analysis
The packaging sector dominates ethylene consumption, accounting for over half of the total demand. Polyethylene's lightweight and high compression strength make it the preferred material in packaging applications. Innovations in production processes and the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources are estimated to improve ethylene manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs, further driving market growth in the coming years.
Regional Analysis
Asia-Pacific holds dominates global ethylene market, on the back of high-growth economies such as China, India, Taiwan, and Thailand. The region is forecasted to remain the most attractive market globally due to expanding industrialization and urbanization.
Capacity and Industry Developments
Major chemical players are expanding ethylene production capacity to meet growing demand:
ExxonMobil plans a new ethylene unit at Baytown, Texas (operational from 2023).
Chevron Phillips Chemical is building an ethylene plant in Texas, targeting 2024 operation.
SABIC is constructing a new ethylene facility in China, estimated to start in 2023.
In addition to conventional production, companies are increasingly focusing on bio-based and greener ethylene sources:
SCGC and Braskem are collaborating to produce bio-based ethylene derived from sugarcane, enabling fully recyclable polyethylene with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
TotalEnergies plans a green hydrogen plant at La Mede refinery, France, to power ethylene production.
INEOS is developing renewable energy-powered ethylene processes with potential greenhouse gas reductions of up to 70%.
Environmental and Regulatory Challenges
Ethylene production raises environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions and safety risks due to its flammability and explosiveness. Regulatory pressures are mounting globally to reduce single-use plastics and promote sustainability:
China banned plastic bags thinner than 0.025 mm.
India mandates a shift from 0.04 mm to 0.05 mm thickness for plastic bags to reduce waste.
These regulations present challenges for ethylene producers but also create opportunities for innovation in recyclable and bio-based ethylene products.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Scope
Market Coverage
Types
Applications
Regions
Countries
Years Considered
Historical - 2018 - 2023
Base - 2024
Forecast Period - 2025 - 2034
Research Methodology
Approach
Research Methodology
Prismane Consulting Market Models
Assumptions & Limitations
Abbreviations & Definitions
Conversion Factors
Data Sources
2. Market Synopsis
Market Evolution
Demand-Supply Overview
Industry Structure
Strategic Issues
End-use Trends
Growth Forecast
3. Economic & Energy Outlook
GDP and Demographics
Monetary & Fiscal Policies
Crude Oil Production and prices
Natural Gas
Electricity Prices
4. End-use Sector Performance
Packaging
Automotive
Construction
Agrochemical
Textile
Others
5. Capacity (Plants & Projects) Analysis
Capacity, by Company
Capacity, by Country and by Region
Capacity Overview, By Region and Country
6. Introduction to Ethylene and Market Overview
Product Description
Grades & Properties
Raw Material
Manufacturing Process
Environmental Issues
Value Chain
Applications
7. Market Dynamics and Industry Trends
Market Dynamics
Drivers
Restraints
Opportunities
Challenges
8. Global Ethylene Demand-Supply Analysis, By Types, By Applications (Volume, Value) (2018 - 2034)
Strategic Issues
Demand-Supply Analysis and Forecast (2018 - 2034)
Capacity
Capacity Utilization (%)
Production
Imports
Exports
Net Exports
Demand
Demand Growth Rate (%)
Driving Force Analysis
Global Ethylene Market, By Types
Polyethylene
Ethylene oxide
Ethylbenzene
Ethylene dichloride
Global Ethylene Market, By Applications
Packaging
Automotive
Construction
Agrochemical
Textile
Others
9. Demand-Supply Analysis and Market Review, By Region, By Country (Volume, Value), (2018 - 2034)
Strategic Issues
Capacity
Capacity Utilization (%)
Production
Imports
Exports
Net Exports
Demand
Demand Growth Rate (%)
Ethylene Market, By Types
Ethylene Market, By Applications
Note: Demand-Supply Analysis has been provided for all major Regions / Countries as mentioned below. The demand (consumption) split by types and by applications has been provided for each of the countries / regions in Volume (Kilo tons) and Value (USD Million).
North America
USA
Canada
Mexico
Western Europe
Germany
France
Italy
United Kingdom
Spain
Rest of Western Europe
Central & Eastern Europe
Russia
Poland
Rest of Central & Eastern Europe
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Central & South America
Middle East & Africa
Note: CAGR will be calculated for all types and applications to arrive at the regional / global Demand-Supply growth for the forecast period (2025 - 2034)
10. Pricing Analysis
Average Ethylene Prices, USD/Kg
Average prices, by region
Price Forecast
11. Key Strategic Issues
12. Business Opportunity Assessment
Market Attractiveness Assessment
Prospective & Target Market Study
13. Strategic Recommendation & Suggestions
14. Company Analysis
Ethylene Manufacturers Profiles/ Company Analysis
Basic Details
Headquarter, Key Markets
Ownership
Company Financial
Manufacturing Bases
Global Turnover
Total Employee
Product Portfolio / Services / Solutions
Key Business Strategies adopted and Prismane Consulting Overview
Recent Developments
Companies Covered -
ExxonMobil Chemical
SABIC
Braskem Group
LyondellBasell
Royal Dutch Shell Plc
Total SA
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Ineos
Huntsman
Other Manufacturers
Note: This section includes company information, company financials, manufacturing bases and operating regions. Company financials have been mentioned only for those companies where financials were available in SEC Filings, annual reports, or company websites. All the reported financials in this report are in U.S. Dollars. Financials reported in other currencies have been converted using average currency conversion rates. Company profiles may include manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.