Ethylbenzene Market

The global ethylbenzene market is projected to increase steadily in both volume and value from 2022 to 2030, with growing demand worldwide. Consumption, production, imports, and exports trends are outlined, with key countries and players identified. Major highlights include the Netherlands, the UK, and the United States leading in consumption and production, with Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Poland prominent in imports and exports. Price trends for imports and exports are analyzed, showcasing fluctuations in average prices over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for ethylbenzene worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $23,382.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Ethylbenzene

In 2022, consumption of ethylbenzene was finally on the rise to reach 1.3M tons after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 1.5M tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global ethylbenzene market size reached $13,733.4B in 2022, approximately reflecting 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 +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at $14,629B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (310K tons), the UK (257K tons) and the United States (220K tons), with a combined 61% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +32.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Argentina ($13,732.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($340M). It was followed by the UK.

In Argentina, the ethylbenzene market expanded at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the Netherlands (-6.9% per year) and the UK (+29.6% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of ethylbenzene per capita consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (18 kg per person), Belgium (15 kg per person) and the Czech Republic (5.1 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +32.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Ethylbenzene

In 2022, production of ethylbenzene decreased by -0.3% to 1.3M tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 3.2%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 1.3M tons in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, ethylbenzene production stood at $13,220.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 1.1%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $13,252.1B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Belgium (436K tons), the UK (330K tons) and the United States (243K tons), together accounting for 76% of global production. The Czech Republic, Germany, Argentina and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +0.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Ethylbenzene

In 2022, approx. 469K tons of ethylbenzene were imported worldwide; with a decrease of -22.3% against the previous year. In general, imports saw a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 145%. Global imports peaked at 886K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ethylbenzene imports shrank to $553M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 104%. Global imports peaked at $1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

The Netherlands was the major importer of ethylbenzene in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 316K tons, which was approx. 67% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Poland (110K tons), constituting a 23% share of total imports. The following importers - Italy (15K tons) and the Czech Republic (9.7K tons) - together made up 5.2% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to ethylbenzene imports into the Netherlands stood at -5.9%. At the same time, Italy (+205.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +205.9% from 2012-2022. Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland and Italy increased by +8 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($352M) constitutes the largest market for imported ethylbenzene worldwide, comprising 64% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($140M), with a 25% share of global imports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Netherlands stood at -7.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-1.6% per year) and the Czech Republic (-6.7% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average ethylbenzene import price stood at $1,179 per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 59%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $1,512 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($1,277 per ton), while Italy ($575 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (-0.8%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Ethylbenzene

In 2022, the amount of ethylbenzene exported worldwide reduced remarkably to 513K tons, which is down by -24.9% against the previous year. Overall, exports saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 102%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at 891K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ethylbenzene exports declined to $637M in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 99% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $1.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Belgium represented the main exporting country with an export of about 271K tons, which amounted to 53% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (110K tons), the UK (73K tons), Germany (28K tons) and the United States (23K tons), together constituting a 46% share of total exports.

Exports from Belgium decreased at an average annual rate of -2.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United States (+43.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United States emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +43.9% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-7.9%) and the UK (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belgium (+13 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+8.3 p.p.) and the United States (+4.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-1.7 p.p.) and the UK (-19.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Belgium ($338M) remains the largest ethylbenzene supplier worldwide, comprising 53% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($136M), with a 21% share of global exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Belgium stood at -3.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (-1.1% per year) and the UK (-13.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ethylbenzene export price amounted to $1,243 per ton, jumping by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,409 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($1,329 per ton) and the United States ($1,285 per ton), while the UK ($1,141 per ton) and the Czech Republic ($1,240 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+0.7%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform