Total ethylene consumption will return to 115 mln tons by end of 2010

04-Feb-10

Total ethylene consumption will return to 115 mln tons by the end of 2010, resulting in zero demand growth for the 2008-2010 period as per a report by MarketPublishers.com. In 2010, chemicals demand recovery will differ significantly in terms of end-market and geographic region. Demand growth for ethylene in China has risen by 10% in the last 10 years going to 2008, whereas ethylene demand in established regions extended by 2% only. The tendency is dramatized by financial downturn that effected mostly mature markets. The Middle East producers dominate in ethylene derivatives global trade owing to low cost position. Ethylene equivalent net exports from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are forecasted to increase from 8 mln tons in 2008 to 28 mln tons in 2013. This increase in Middle East market share will take place at the expense of producers in Asia and North America.