Ethylene shortfall likely in China by 2015 as demand growth surpasses capacity increases

28-Jun-10

China could see an ethylene shortfall by 2015 as demand growth will surpass increases in capacity. Ethylene consumption is expected to rise 4.5% pa to 29 mln tons by 2015 while production capacity is estimated to reach 20 mln tons as per Sinopec. Global ethylene demand is forecast to grow an average 5.5% pa to 152.4 mln tpa by 2015, as per International Energy Agency. The Middle East will account for 36% of new capacity to be added by 2015 and northeast Asia will make up 35%.