Global Polyethylene Market 2019 - Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report, the World - Polyethylene - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The global polyethylene market revenue amounted to $31.8B in 2017, rising by 11% 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 +1.6% over the period from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global polyethylene market reached its maximum level at $34.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2017, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production 2007-2017

In 2017, approx. 24M tonnes of polyethylene were produced worldwide; picking up by 3.8% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations over the period under review.

Exports 2007-2017

In 2017, approx. 20M tonnes of polyethylene were exported worldwide; standing approx. at the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, polyethylene exports totaled $26.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2017.

Exports by Country

In 2017, Saudi Arabia (3.3M tonnes), distantly followed by Belgium (1.6M tonnes), the U.S. (1.5M tonnes), Singapore (1M tonnes), Germany (1M tonnes), the Netherlands (978K tonnes), Qatar (939K tonnes), Iran (914K tonnes) and South Korea (907K tonnes) were the main exporters of polyethylene, together mixing up 61% of total exports. The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (656K tonnes), France (635K tonnes) and Brazil (567K tonnes) each amounted to a 9.3% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2017, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyethylene exports from Saudi Arabia stood at +7.1%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+33.3%), Qatar (+7.4%), South Korea (+4.0%), Singapore (+2.9%), Brazil (+2.7%) and Germany (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest growing exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +33.3% from 2007-2017. Belgium, the U.S. and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Iran (-4.3%) and France (-5.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2017, the share of Iran and France increased by 2.5% and 2.3% percentage points, while Qatar (-2.4%), the United Arab Emirates (-3.1%) and Saudi Arabia (-8.2%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($4.2B), Belgium ($2.4B) and the U.S. ($2.1B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2017, with a combined 33% share of global exports. These countries were followed by Germany, Singapore, the Netherlands, Qatar, South Korea, Iran, France, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 39%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2017, the average polyethylene export price amounted to $1.3 per kg, picking up by 6.9% against the previous year. In general, the polyethylene export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, an increase of 18% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average export prices for polyethylene attained their maximum at $1,607 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2017, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average export prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2017, major exporting countries recorded the following export prices: in Germany ($1,558 per tonne) and the Netherlands ($1,444 per tonne), while Iran ($1,187 per tonne) and the United Arab Emirates ($1,220 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Saudi Arabia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2017

Global imports amounted to 20M tonnes in 2017, picking up by 2.5% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2007 to 2017; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review.

In value terms, polyethylene imports amounted to $27.2B (IndexBox estimates) in 2017.

Imports by Country

In 2017, China (2.4M tonnes), followed by Belgium (1.4M tonnes) and Germany (1.2M tonnes) represented the key importers of polyethylene, together generating 25% of total imports. Italy (888K tonnes), India (886K tonnes), Turkey (777K tonnes), Singapore (698K tonnes), France (629K tonnes), Poland (562K tonnes), Indonesia (518K tonnes), the UK (499K tonnes) and Spain (497K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by India, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene importing markets worldwide were China ($3B), Germany ($1.8B) and Belgium ($1.7B), with a combined 24% share of global imports. These countries were followed by Italy, India, Turkey, Singapore, France, Poland, the UK, Spain and Indonesia, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2017, the average polyethylene import price amounted to $1.3 per kg, surging by 1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the polyethylene import price, however, continues to indicate a mild reduction.

Average import prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2017, major importing countries recorded the following import prices: in Germany ($1,479 per tonne) and France ($1,476 per tonne), while Belgium ($1,205 per tonne) and Indonesia ($1,260 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Singapore, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform