Surging demand from packaging industry drives global ethylene market

Global ethylene market (Industry) was valued at US$156 bln in 2013 and is projected to reach US$234.2 bln by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 6% from 2014 to 2020, as per Transparency Market Report. The global ethylene market is fueled by growing demand in packaging applications, booming construction industry, and rising demand from the automotive sector. The mass production of ethylene by catalytic oxydehydrogenation is anticipated to boost its demand over the next five years. However, regulatory issues and volatile crude oil prices are projected to hamper the growth of the ethylene market during the forecast period. By application, the ethylene market is categorized into ethylene oxide, polyethylene, ethylene dichloride, ethylene benzene, and others such as alpha olefins and vinyl acetate. Polyethylene accounted for a market share of over 50% in 2013, making it the leading application segment of the ethylene market. Polyethylene finds extensive use in the production of plastic. Ethylene oxide, on the other hand, is projected to become the fastest developing segment by 2020 driven by rising consumption of ethylene glycol, its derivative. The ethylene market is segmented on the basis of end user into automotive, agrochemical, packaging, construction, textile, and others such as soaps and detergents. In 2013, packaging held a share of over 30%, making it the largest end-user segment of the ethylene market. The growing use of various forms of polyethylene such as low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, PVC, and linear low density polyethylene in the manufacturing of packaging products is driving this end-user segment. The global ethylene market is geographically divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Accounting for a share of more than 30% in 2013, Asia Pacific dominates the global ethylene market. This region is also forecast to become the most rapidly developing market for ethylene by 2020, driven by growing demand from automotive, packaging, and construction industries. A large portion of the demand for ethylene stems from emerging economies such as India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Developed regions such as Europe and North America are anticipated to register moderate growth over the forecast period owing to a slow yet steady economic recovery. While Latin America is expected to develop at an average rate over the next five years, the Rest of the World region is anticipated to grow at a considerable pace. Some of the leading players competing in the global ethylene market are Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), LyondellBasell Industries, INEOS Group AG, Total S.A., China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corporation), The Dow Chemical Company, National Petrochemical Company (NPC), and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.