The average price of ethylene worldwide amounted to some 896 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2023. The global production capacity of ethylene reached approximately 225.52 million tons in 2022. Petrochemical products Ethylene is the most commonly used petrochemical globally. A major part of its production is used to produce polyethylene, a common plastic material that accounts for roughly 30 percent of global thermoplastic production. Other ethylene-derived products include ethylene glycol, ethylene dichloride, and styrene. Apart from ethylene, other widely produced petrochemicals are propylene, methanol, and paraxylene. Together they account for over 80 percent of the global upstream petrochemical capacity. Petrochemical prices Petrochemical prices are highly dependent on the price of oil and related products. Feedstock costs represent the largest share of petrochemical production costs, ahead of fixed costs, power, and transportation. As with oil prices, the price of petrochemical products fell sharply during 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, petrochemicals such as ethylene, propylene, or benzene registered the lowest price in recent years, although they picked up shortly after.

Between January 2020 and October 2024, there were variations in the monthly cost of ethylene across the globe. The lowest price was observed in May 2020, averaging at a mere 370 U.S. dollars per metric ton. In contrast, the highest price occurred in April 2022, reaching 1,340 U.S. dollars per metric ton.

During the last quarter of 2024, the ethylene prices in the United States reached 738 USD/MT in December. Due to weak demand and abundant supply, the U.S. ethylene market had an early decline in Q4 2024. Rising production costs and increased exports to Europe, where energy shortages favored U.S. shipments, caused the trend to reverse in December.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Ethylene Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of ethylene pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

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Ethylene Market Size 2025-2029

The ethylene market size is forecast to increase by USD 63.3 billion at a CAGR of 6.5% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for polyethylene products across various industries, including packaging, construction, and automotive. This trend is expected to continue as ethylene-derived plastics offer advantages such as durability, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness. However, market dynamics are influenced by the emergence of bio-ethylene, a sustainable alternative to traditional ethylene derived from fossil fuels. This shift towards renewable sources presents both opportunities and challenges for market participants. On the one hand, bio-ethylene offers a more sustainable production process and potential cost savings through government incentives and carbon credits. On the other hand, the production of bio-ethylene is currently more expensive than traditional ethylene, and scaling up production remains a significant challenge. Additionally, volatility in raw material prices, particularly for natural gas and crude oil, continues to impact the market's profitability and strategic planning. Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively must stay informed of these trends and be agile in their business strategies.

What will be the Size of the Ethylene Market during the forecast period?

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The market encompasses the production, trade, and application of ethylene, a colorless, flammable organic compound. Ethylene is a key petrochemical derivative and the primary building block for various ethylene-based derivatives, including polyethylene (PE), ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These materials are widely used in various industries, including construction, flexible packaging, and the production of bio-based products, lightweight plastics, and market derivatives. The market size is substantial, driven by the increasing demand for ethylene-based derivatives in consumer goods, food, beverages, medications, and various industrial applications. The market's growth is influenced by factors such as the availability of shale oil output, which has led to increased ethylene production capacity.
Additionally, the shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, such as bio-polyethylene, is gaining momentum due to growing concerns about carbon footprint and the need for improved barrier qualities in packaging materials. Overall, the market is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory, driven by the diverse applications and demand for ethylene-based derivatives in various industries.

How is this Ethylene Industry segmented?

The ethylene industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Feedstock

  Naphtha
  Ethane
  LPG
  Others


Application

  LDPE
  HDPE
  Ethylene oxide
  Vinyls
  Others


Packaging

  Automotive
  Building & Construction
  Agrochemical
  Textile
  Chemicals
  Others


Geography

  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  North America

    US
    Canada


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  South America

    Brazil

By Feedstock Insights

The naphtha segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Ethylene is a colorless, flammable organic compound used extensively as a raw material in the production of various plastics and petrochemical derivatives. The largest source of ethylene is naphtha, which accounted for over half of the global ethylene production in 2024. However, the naphtha segment is expected to lose market share due to its energy-intensive production process, which results in significant carbon emissions. One kilogram of ethylene production emits approximately 1.8-2 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Europe and APAC are the leading regions in naphtha-based ethylene production. Ethylene is a key ingredient in the production of polyethylene, ethylene glycol, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), vinyl acetate, and various ethylene-based derivatives.

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The naphtha segment was valued at USD 56.00 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 42% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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Eth

The ethylene oxide prices in the United States for Q3 2024 reached 1465 USD/MT in September. The market saw notable price increase mainly driven by limited supply from maintenance and production cuts shutdowns, alongside rising ethylene costs. The continued demand from key industries and exports to Latin America intensified this trend, especially amid supply disruptions.

The ethylene dichloride prices in the United States for Q4 2023 reached 250 USD/MT in December. The market was under pressure due to high stockpiles and weak demand, particularly from the PVC sector. Destocking activities and an unpredictable export prospects further strained market conditions, leading to decreased purchasing sentiments and a challenging pricing environment.

Ethylene Dichloride Prices December 2023

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Ethylene Dichloride Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2024 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of ethylene dichloride pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

The U.S. ethylene market expanded slightly to $16.8B in 2024, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption enjoyed a buoyant increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $17.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

During the third quarter of 2024, the mono ethylene glycol prices in the USA reached 495 USD/MT in September. The mono ethylene glycol market faced a downturn in the third quarter of 2024, influenced by weak demand from downstream industries and an absence of significant cost support from feedstocks. Crude oil price fluctuations, combined with production and logistics disruptions due to adverse weather events, added to market challenges.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Mono Ethylene Glycol Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2024 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of mono ethylene glycol pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

The Chinese ethylene market expanded modestly to $30.6B in 2024, picking up by 2.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Ethylene consumption peaked at $33.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

During the second quarter of 2024, the ethylene carbonate (EC) prices in China reached 878 USD/MT in June, due to the increasing product utilization by manufacturers of lithium-ion battery and disruptions in supply. Prices rose 13% from the previous year and 2% from the last quarter, reflecting steady consumption and ongoing supply constraints.

The ethylene vinyl acetate prices in the United States for Q2 2024 reached 1635 USD/MT in June. The region experienced notable price fluctuations, primarily driven by weak consumption in the solar and packaging sectors. Moreover, the dependence on imports intensified as domestic production of solar struggled to meet local demands. The quarter concluded with a slight overall decline in rates, reflecting ongoing market pressures.

This statistic shows the ethylene glycol total costs and potential prices in the United States, Saui-Arabia, and Asia, as at 2012. As at 2012, the ethylene glycol total costs in the United States amounted to 336 U.S. dollars per ton, whereas the potential price amounted to 346 U.S. dollars per ton. Ethylene glycol is mainly used for the manufacture of antifreeze formulations and polyesters.

Graph and download economic data for Export Price Index (Harmonized System): Polymers of Ethylene, in Primary Forms (ID3901) from Jan 2025 to Feb 2025 about primary, harmonized, exports, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

The Q4 2024 price trend for EVA in the North America region was characterized by a period of initial stability followed by a slight decline and subsequent marginal increase. The quarter began with stable prices driven by steady demand from key sectors like packaging, footwear, and solar. While declining upstream ethylene prices initially provided some cost relief for manufacturers, the market witnessed a slight price drop in October due to weak consumer demand and declining production costs.

In 2022, the market of ethylene oxide was valued at approximately 53.98 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. By 2030, the global market value of this organic compound is expected to increase to around 71.77 billion U.S. dollars.

Ethylene Oxide Prices: The third quarter of 2024 for Ethylene Oxide in North America has been characterized by significant price increases driven by a variety of factors.

For the fourth consecutive year, Poland recorded growth in overseas purchases of ethylene, which increased by 3,104% to 3.6K tons in 2023.

The ethylene acrylic elastomer (AEM) prices in the United States for Q2 2024 reached 13,500 USD/MT in June. The market observed a positive price trajectory throughout the quarter, driven by numerous key factors. The market witnessed a consistent increase because of feedstock costs, robust downstream requirements, and supply chain dynamics, especially from the automotive industry.

This statistic compares the ethylene transfer prices in the United States, Saudi-Arabia and Asia in 2012. As of 2012, the ethylene transfer prices in the United States amounted to 323 U.S. dollars per ton.