Ascent of a Basic Material: Ceresana Announces New Study on Ethylene

20-Jan-2011 - Germany

Ethylene is needed for plastic bottles, textile fibers and water pipes. The most produced petrochemical is mainly used for the production of plastic. A new study of the market research institute Ceresana Research shows that ethylene producers are recovering from the sharp drop in the year 2009. "By 2017, worldwide ethylene revenue will reach again the current 2008 peak volume, which is more than 160 billion US$,“ explains Oliver Kutsch, president of Ceresana Research. "Ethylene prices already recovered during 2010, after they had declined at an average rate of 35% in 2009."

China, the pioneer

The Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the market in future and generate more than a third of worldwide demand. The pioneer will be China that will rise to become the greatest ethylene consumer worldwide, and will therefore drive out the United States to the second place, followed by Saudi Arabia. However, countries of the Middle East exhibit the largest increases in ethylene production and demand. Volumes in the Middle East have doubled over the past eight years, and Ceresana Research expects to see a further doubling by 2015.

Ethylene becomes polyethylene

More than a third of the sold ethylene is processed into polyethylene, which is for example used in construction materials made of HDPE, or LDPE packaging. The production of ethylene oxide accounts for roughly 11% of global ethylene demand. Ethylene oxide is mainly used to produce ethylene glycol which is a pre-product of polyester. The production of textile fibers is, above all, growing significantly in Asia. Additionally, producers of ethylene oxide are profiting from the substitution of glass by PET bottles.

A comprehensive analysis

On 812 pages, the "Market Study Ethylene" explores the ethylene market, and includes forecasts until 2017 in regard to demand, production, import, export, revenues and prices. The study offers a comprehensive insight into the development of the 7 world regions. 55 countries are analyzed: demand divided by applications, production, capacities and trade as well as their influencing factors. Applications include HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, ethylene oxide, EDC, ethylbenzene and acetaldehyde, ethanol, linear alcohols, vinyl acetate, and alpha-olefins.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/130313/ascent-of-a-basic-material-ceresana-announces-new-study-on-ethylene.html