Overview of the Global Market for Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Market Size for Polyethylene in Primary Forms

In 2021, the global polyethylene in primary forms market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Exports

In 2021, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of polyethylene in primary forms, when their volume decreased by -X% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons), distantly followed by the United States (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) were the main exporters of polyethylene in primary forms, together committing X% of total exports. Germany (X tons), Canada (X tons), South Korea (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Russia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and France (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +X%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene in primary forms supplying countries worldwide were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United States ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising X% of global exports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Iran, the Netherlands, Canada, Thailand, South Korea, France, Russia and Malaysia, which together accounted for a further X the main exporting countries, Russia, with a CAGR of +X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The global export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+X%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Imports

In 2021, supplies from abroad of polyethylene in primary forms decreased by -X% to X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China represented the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at X% of total imports. Belgium (X tons) took a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (X%). The following importers - Turkey (X tons), the United States (X tons), Italy (X tons), Mexico (X tons), India (X tons), Poland (X tons), France (X tons), the UK (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up X% of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the polyethylene in primary forms imports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Turkey (+X%), Malaysia (+X%), Poland (+X%), the United States (+X%), Mexico (+X%), Belgium (+X%), Spain (+X%) and Italy (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. India and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-X%) and the UK (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+X p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polyethylene in primary forms worldwide, comprising X% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a X% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +X%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+X% per year) and the United States (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+X%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform