Diols And Polyhydric Alcohols Market

The global market for diols and polyhydric alcohols is predicted to grow steadily in the coming years, with volume and value expected to increase. Key trends include fluctuations in production and consumption, as well as significant growth in exports and imports. China, the United States, and Germany are among the leading countries in both production and consumption of these chemicals. The article provides detailed insights into market dynamics and future growth projections.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Diols And Polyhydric Alcohols (Excluding Ethylene Glycol And Propylene Glycol, D-Glucitol)

In 2022, consumption of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) increased by 0.5% to 4.5M tons, rising for the eighth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global diols and polyhydric alcohols market size was estimated at $11.4B in 2022, increasing by 3.4% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (671K tons), the United States (534K tons) and Germany (503K tons), together comprising 38% of global consumption. India, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, France, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Korea and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.4B), the United States ($1.1B) and India ($876M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 30% share of the global market. Germany, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +7.8%, saw the highest growth rate of 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.

In 2022, the highest levels of diols and polyhydric alcohols per capita consumption was registered in Germany (6.1 kg per person), followed by Canada (2.3 kg per person), Italy (2.2 kg per person) and Japan (2 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of diols and polyhydric alcohols was estimated at 0.6 kg per person.

In Germany, diols and polyhydric alcohols per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Canada (+2.7% per year) and Italy (+3.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Diols And Polyhydric Alcohols (Excluding Ethylene Glycol And Propylene Glycol, D-Glucitol)

After seven years of growth, production of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) decreased by -1.6% to 4.3M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 15%. Global production peaked at 4.4M tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, diols and polyhydric alcohols production reached $9.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $10B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (849K tons), the United States (587K tons) and Germany (507K tons), with a combined 45% share of global production. India, Russia, Japan, Taiwan (Chinese), Brazil, Saudi Arabia, France, South Korea, Mexico and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +26.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Diols And Polyhydric Alcohols (Excluding Ethylene Glycol And Propylene Glycol, D-Glucitol)

In 2022, global imports of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) fell to 1.8M tons, shrinking by -9% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 1.9M tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, diols and polyhydric alcohols imports rose significantly to $5.3B in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (166K tons), China (150K tons), Italy (145K tons), the United States (122K tons), India (112K tons), the Netherlands (106K tons), South Korea (104K tons), Japan (92K tons), Vietnam (81K tons), Belgium (70K tons), Turkey (55K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (50K tons) represented the largest importer of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) in the world, constituting 72% of total import. Malaysia (48K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +30.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($632M), Italy ($437M) and the United States ($365M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 27% share of global imports. China, South Korea, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Japan, India, Belgium, Turkey, Malaysia and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +35.9%, 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

The average diols and polyhydric alcohols import price stood at $3,029 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 17% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, diols and polyhydric alcohols import price increased by +56.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 34%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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 Germany ($3,806 per ton), while India ($2,165 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+8.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Diols And Polyhydric Alcohols (Excluding Ethylene Glycol And Propylene Glycol, D-Glucitol)

In 2022, the amount of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) exported worldwide contracted to 1.6M tons, which is down by -14.6% compared with 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 1.8M tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, diols and polyhydric alcohols exports dropped to $4.5B in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 93% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $4.6B, and then fell in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (328K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (230K tons), the United States (175K tons), Germany (170K tons), the Netherlands (152K tons) and South Korea (130K tons) was the largest exporter of diols and polyhydric alcohols (excluding ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, d-glucitol) in the world, committing 75% of total export. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (82K tons), generating a 5.2% share of total exports. The following exporters - Sweden (48K tons) and Belgium (48K tons) - each recorded a 6.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($917M), Taiwan (Chinese) ($620M) and Germany ($574M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 46% of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +14.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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

In 2022, the average diols and polyhydric alcohols export price amounted to $2,884 per ton, rising by 15% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, diols and polyhydric alcohols export price increased by +63.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 42%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Belgium ($3,816 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($1,853 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform