Polyethylene Glycol and Polyether Market

The global market for polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms is projected to see steady growth over the next eight years, with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% in volume and +5.5% in value from 2022 to 2030. China dominates both consumption and production, with India showing the highest growth rates. From 2012 to 2022, global consumption and production saw fluctuations, with peak levels reached in 2019. Import and export volumes also experienced variations, with notable growth rates in certain years. The highest importers include China, Germany, Italy, and Turkey, while top exporters are China, the Netherlands, and the United States. Prices fluctuated over the years, with significant differences among major importing and exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 19M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $58.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

In 2022, global polyethylene glycol and polyether consumption fell to 15M tons, waning by -2.4% on 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 16M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global polyethylene glycol and polyether market value shrank slightly to $38B in 2022, waning by -4.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +42.2% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $39.9B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of polyethylene glycol and polyether consumption was China (4.4M tons), accounting for 29% of total volume. Moreover, polyethylene glycol and polyether consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (1.8M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (1.3M tons), with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +6.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+7.7% per year) and the United States (-1.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest polyethylene glycol and polyether markets worldwide were India ($9.5B), China ($8.4B) and the United States ($3.2B), with a combined 56% share of the global market.

India, with a CAGR of +13.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of polyethylene glycol and polyether per capita consumption in 2022 were Mexico (5.1 kg per person), South Korea (5 kg per person) and Turkey (4.9 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

In 2022, global production of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms dropped modestly to 16M tons, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 11%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 16M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether production totaled $37.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

China (4.8M tons) remains the largest polyethylene glycol and polyether producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, polyethylene glycol and polyether production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1.8M tons), threefold. India (1.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In China, polyethylene glycol and polyether production increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-1.9% per year) and India (+8.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

In 2022, the amount of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms imported worldwide shrank to 6.1M tons, with a decrease of -10.8% compared with 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 6.8M tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether imports reduced dramatically to $15.7B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +30.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $19.5B, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (657K tons), followed by Germany (410K tons), Italy (310K tons) and Turkey (302K tons) were the main importers of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, together constituting 27% of total imports. The following importers - India (233K tons), Indonesia (223K tons), Belgium (221K tons), Mexico (212K tons), Poland (203K tons), Vietnam (191K tons), the United States (177K tons), the Netherlands (160K tons) and Spain (159K tons) - together made up 29% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene glycol and polyether importing markets worldwide were China ($1.7B), Germany ($1.2B) and India ($764M), together accounting for 23% of global imports. Italy, Turkey, the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, Belgium, Poland, Vietnam, the Netherlands and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +11.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average polyethylene glycol and polyether import price amounted to $2,579 per ton, declining by -9.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 39%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $2,845 per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,387 per ton), while Spain ($2,168 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

In 2022, approx. 6.6M tons of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms were exported worldwide; waning by -7.8% compared with 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 7.1M tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether exports contracted sharply to $16.1B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +30.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $19.8B, and then fell notably in the following year.

Exports By Country

China (1,002K tons) and the Netherlands (961K tons) represented roughly 30% of total exports in 2022. Belgium (641K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 9.8% share, followed by the United States (9.2%), South Korea (8.5%), Germany (7.5%), Singapore (6.2%) and Saudi Arabia (5.9%). Thailand (281K tons), Spain (230K tons), France (151K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (134K tons) and Japan (119K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +53.5%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.3B), the Netherlands ($2B) and the United States ($1.6B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 37% of global exports. Belgium, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan (Chinese), Thailand, Japan, Spain and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 51%.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +56.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average polyethylene glycol and polyether export price stood at $2,461 per ton in 2022, which is down by -11.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $2,786 per ton, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($4,478 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($1,855 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform