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Global Polyethylene (PE) Demand Analysis, By Types[HDPE, LDPE & LLDPE Others], By Applications & Forecast Analysis, 2032

Polyethylene Market Size

The Polyethylene Market size is projected to reach USD 166 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 3% from the current 2023 market size of USD 119 billion. Polyethylene (or polyethylene) is a synthetic resin made from the polymerization of ethylene, which is a gaseous hydrocarbon produced from ethane cracking. It is among the most common plastics in the world, primarily used in packaging applications. Its general formula is (C2H4)n. 

Polyethylene is made up of saturated hydrocarbons containing high molecular weights. Owing to their symmetric molecular structures, polyethylene molecules crystallize, which is why they are also known to be a plastic that is partially crystalline. The density and chemical stability of polyethylene increase with increasing crystallinity.

Global Polyethylene Demand Supply Analysis, 2016-2032 (KT)

Polyethylene Demand Supply
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates


Polyethylene Market Segments

Based on the degree of branching and the density, the global polyethylene market is classified into three major types: Low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). LDPE & LLDPE contain branched structures while HDPE contains linear structure.

After polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene, HDPE is the third-largest commodity plastic material in the world by volume. Global HDPE market is driven by films & sheets, blow molding and injection molding applications, majority of which is used in packaging applications. Asia dominates the HDPE market, led by China. While production facilities were traditionally concentrated in developed economies, the same has changed following a shift towards regions with raw material advantages or those where demand has significantly increased. Developed regions like North America and Western Europe are mature markets for HDPE, with lower to moderate growth, while others like Asia Pacific are attractive markets with robust growth. HDPE market during the forecast is projected to grow on the back of improvements in production processes and technologies that will enhance its qualities, along with HDPE replacing conventional materials like paper, glass & wood in developing economies.

Global Polyethylene Demand, By Type, 2016-2032 (KT)

Polyethylene Market, By Type
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates

Excellent tensile properties of LLDPE make it suitable for films manufacturing. These films are used extensively in the packaging industry. Its strength and durability also make it apt for use in grocery and trash bags. LLDPE is produced by the ethylene copolymerization process and has narrower distribution of molecular weight than LDPE. Increasing demand from the packaging sector, especially with the consumer shift from rigid packaging to flexible packaging is expected to drive the LLDPE market during the forecast. Low coefficient of friction in LLDPE also opens up wide array of opportunities for its use in machinery lubrication, pharmaceuticals, and metal protection. Abundant availability of low-cost raw materials is also expected to create major opportunities for LLDPE market. China continues to be the largest producer and consumer of LLDPE and is expected to see several capacity additions in the forthcoming years.

Films & sheets constitutes for the biggest share of the global LDPE market. Demand is dominated by China. Both USA and China are expected to witness capacity additions, although the current production levels in China are not entirely sufficient for domestic consumption, which is why it continues to be a net importer of LDPE supplies. The forecast period for LDPE market will be characterized by increasing supplies from the USA and rising domestic production sufficiency in China (thus decreasing imports).

Global Polyethylene Demand, By Process, 2016-2032 (Kilo Tons)

Polyethylene market, By Application
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates

Polyethylene Market End Use Industry Trends

Polyethylene is used in a wide array of industries, including packaging, automotive, construction, electrical & electronics, and consumer appliances. Automotive manufacturers are preferring polyethylene due to its favourable properties, including lightweight, ease of processing and stiffness. Its high rigidity make it suitable for industrial uses, moisture barrier properties make it effective for avoiding contamination in food packaging and its flexibility and durability allows for easy molding, for its use in sports apparels and tools. Increasing momentum in these end-use industries is likely to propel the global polyethylene market during the forecast. 

On the other hand, shifting of consumer preference for other alternatives like polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pose a threat to polyethylene market growth. Fluctuating feedstock prices could also affect the prices of the final product and hinder the global polyethylene market.

Key Players in the Polyethylene Market

BASF, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Dow, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Reliance Industries, Petronas, INEOS, SABIC, Polimeri Europa, Lotte Chemicals, LG Chemicals, Borealis AG, Exxonmobil, Shell, SIBUR, IRPC, Thai Polyethylene Company Limited, and Chevron Phillips Chemical are some of the key players in the Polyethylene Market.

Recent Developments in Polyethylene Market

Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem), a joint venture between Petronas and Saudi Aramco, has resumed operations at its 400 Kiloton HDPE plant and 350 Kiloton LLDPE plant at Pengerang. The plants had went offline following an explosion at its complex in March 2020. 

The Thailand SCG Group and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) aimed to bring its HDPE & LLDPE plants at the Long Son Petrochemical complex in Vietnam in 2023. However, it has already completed test runs, it is expected to fully operational in the next year. The plant has an HDPE capacity of 450 Kiloton and LLDPE capacity of 500 Kiloton. Several new supply additions expected in North America, China, and the Middle East & Africa during the forecast period. China and the ASEAN region are seeing significant concentration of oversupply, which could diminish the global polyethylene market sentiment during the forecast. 

Scope of Report 

applications and other end-use scenarios. The study provides

•  Demand-Supply Analysis
•  Demand Composition, by Types, Process,  and End-Use Industry
•  Capacity & Production
•  Trade (Import, Export and Net Export)
•  Sales & Revenue
•  Pricing Analysis
•  Market Dynamics

Country Summaries & Product Review
•  Supply Demand Balance 
•  Polyethylene Market data in terms of volume and value for each end-use at regional and country level
•  Polyethylene Market analysis for Production, Capacity and Demand, at regional and country level
•  Macro-economic factors like GDP, Population and World Economic integration
•  Economic & Energy Outlook
•  Industry & Policy Developments 
•  End-use Industry / Applications Market 
•  Reasoning & Analysis
•  Insightful Commentary
•  Market Review
•  Comparative Analysis
•  Key players
•  Strategic Issues and Recommendations
•  Business Opportunity Assessment

1.  Introduction
      •  Scope
      •  Market Coverage
          -  Types
          -  Process
          -  End-Use Industry
          -  Regions
          -  Countries
      •  Years Considered
          -  Historical - 2016 – 2021
          -  Base - 2022
          -  Forecast Period - 2023 – 2032
      •  Research Methodology
          -  Approach
          -  Research Methodology
          -  Prismane Consulting Market Models
          -  Assumptions & Limitations
          -  Abbreviations & Definitions
          -  Conversion Factors
          -  Data Sources
2.  Market Synopsis 
      •  Market Evolution
      •  Demand-Supply Overview
      •  Industry Structure
      •  Strategic Issues
      •  End-use Trends
      •  Growth Forecast
3.  Economic & Energy Outlook
      •  GDP and Demographics
      •  Monetary & Fiscal Policies
      •  Crude Oil Production and prices
      •  Natural Gas
      •  Electricity Prices
4.  End-use Sector Performance
      •  Packaging
      •  Automotive
      •  Construction
      •  Electrical & Electronics
      •  Consumer Appliances
      •  Others
5.  Plants & Projects Analysis
      •  Polyethylene Production Capacity, by Company
      •  Polyethylene Production Capacity, by Country and by region
      •  Capacity Overview
      •  Product Description
      •  Grades & Properties
      •  Raw Material
      •  Manufacturing Process
      •  Environmental Issues
      •  Value Chain
      •  Applications
7.  Market Dynamics and Industry Trends 
      •  Market Dynamics 
          -  Drivers
          -  Restraints
          -  Opportunities
          -  Challenges
8.  Global Polyethylene Demand-Supply Analysis, By Types, By Process, By End-Use Industry (Volume, Value) (2016–2032) 
      •  Strategic Issues
      •  Demand-Supply Analysis and Forecast (2016 – 2032)
          -  Capacity
          -  Capacity Utilization (%)
          -  Production
          -  Imports
          -  Exports
          -  Net Exports
          -  Demand
          -  Demand Growth Rate (%)
          -  Driving Force Analysis
      •  Global Polyethylene Market, By Types
          -  High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
          -  Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
          -  Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
          -  Others
      •  Global Polyethylene Market, By Application
          -  Films & Sheets
          -  Blow molding
          -  Injection molding
          -  Pipes & profiles
          -  Others
          -  Automotive
          -  Construction
          -  Electrical & Electronics
          -  Packaging
          -  Consumer Appliances
          -  Others
9.  Demand-Supply Analysis and Market Review, By Region, By Country (Volume, Value), (2016– 2032)
      •  Strategic Issues
      •  Capacity
      •  Capacity Utilization (%)
      •  Production
      •  Imports
      •  Exports
      •  Net Exports
      •  Demand
      •  Demand Growth Rate (%)
      •  Polyethylene Market, By Types
      •  Polyethylene Market, By Technology
      •  Polyethylene Market, By End-Use Industry
Note: Demand-Supply Analysis has been provided for all major Regions / Countries as mentioned below. The demand-supply (consumption) split by types, technology and end-use industry, has been provided for each of the countries/regions in Volume (Kilotons) and Value (USD Million).
      •  North America
         -  USA
         -  Canada
         -  Mexico
      •  Western Europe
         -  Germany
         -  France
         -  Italy
         -  United Kingdom
         -  Spain
         -  Rest of Western Europe
      •  Central & Eastern Europe
         -  Russia
         -  Poland
         -  Turkey
         -  Rest of Central & Eastern Europe
      •  Asia-Pacific
         -  China
         -  Japan
         -  India
         -  South Korea
         -  ASEAN
         -  Rest of Asia-Pacific
      •  Central & South America
         -  Brazil
         -  Argentina
         -  Rest of Central & South America
      •  Middle East & Africa
         -  GCC
         -  South Africa
         -  Rest of Middle East & Africa
Note: CAGR will be calculated for all the types, technology and end-use industries to arrive at the regional/global demand growth for the forecast period (2023 – 2032)
10.  Pricing Analysis
      •  Average Polyethylene Prices, USD/Kg
      •  Average Polyethylene Prices, Type
      •  Average Polyethylene Prices, by Country 
      •  Average Polyethylene Prices, by Region
      •  Price Forecast
11.  Key Strategic Issues
12.  Business Opportunity Assessment 
      •  Market Attractiveness Assessment
13.  Strategic Recommendation & Suggestions
14.  Company Analysis and Market Share Analysis
         -  Basic Details
         - Headquarters, Key Markets
         -  Ownership
         -  Company Financial
         -  Manufacturing Bases
         -  Global Turnover
         -  Total Employee
         -  Product Portfolio / Services / Solutions
         -  Recent Developments
         -  Companies Covered
             -  BASF
             -  China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
             -  Dow
             -  LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
             -  Reliance Industries
             -  Petronas
             -  INEOS
             -  SABIC
             -  Polimeri Europa
             -  Lotte Chemicals
             -  LG Chemicals
             -  Borealis AG
             -  Exxonmobil
             -  Shell
             -  SIBUR
             -  IRPC
             -  Thai Polyethylene Company Limited
             -  Chevron Phillips Chemical
             -  Other Manufacturers
Note: This section includes company information, company financials, manufacturing bases, and operating regions. Company financials have been mentioned only for those companies where financials were available in SEC Filings, annual reports, or company websites. All the reported financials in this report are in U.S. Dollars. Financials reported in other currencies have been converted using average currency conversion rates. Company profiles may include manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.
15.  Appendices
      •  Demand-Supply - Regions
      •  Demand-Supply– Countries
      •  Capacities, 2016-2032

Scope of Report 

applications and other end-use scenarios. The study provides

•  Demand-Supply Analysis
•  Demand Composition, by Types, Process,  and End-Use Industry
•  Capacity & Production
•  Trade (Import, Export and Net Export)
•  Sales & Revenue
•  Pricing Analysis
•  Market Dynamics

Country Summaries & Product Review
•  Supply Demand Balance 
•  Polyethylene Market data in terms of volume and value for each end-use at regional and country level
•  Polyethylene Market analysis for Production, Capacity and Demand, at regional and country level
•  Macro-economic factors like GDP, Population and World Economic integration
•  Economic & Energy Outlook
•  Industry & Policy Developments 
•  End-use Industry / Applications Market 
•  Reasoning & Analysis
•  Insightful Commentary
•  Market Review
•  Comparative Analysis
•  Key players
•  Strategic Issues and Recommendations
•  Business Opportunity Assessment


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the market size of Polyethylene?
The Polyethylene Market size is projected to reach USD 166 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 3% from the current market size of USD 119 billion.
Who are some of the major Polyethylene producers?
BASF, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Dow, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Reliance Industries, Petronas, INEOS, SABIC, Polimeri Europa, Lotte Chemicals, LG Chemicals, Borealis AG, Exxonmobil, Shell, SIBUR, IRPC, Thai Polyethylene Company Limited, and Chevron Phillips Chemical are some of the key players in the Polyethylene Market.