Eastern Asia: Market for Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms 2025

Market Size for Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the East Asian polyethylene glycol and polyether market decreased by -8.6% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms in Eastern Asia

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Exports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

Exports in Eastern Asia

For the sixth year in a row, Eastern Asia recorded growth in shipments abroad of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, which increased by 28% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +66.8% against 2014 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw strong growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the main exporter of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms, making up 58% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and Japan (X tons), together constituting a 41% share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms exports, with a CAGR of +16.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+4.2%), Japan (+2.8%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of China (+27 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Japan (-3 p.p.), Taiwan (Chinese) (-6.4 p.p.) and South Korea (-11.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest polyethylene glycol and polyether supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +18.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+5.3% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 47% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 65% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Japan (X tons) and South Korea (X tons), together making up a 34% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyethylene glycol and polyether imports into China stood at +5.3%. At the same time, South Korea (+15.8%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +15.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-2.6%) and Hong Kong SAR (-13.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+6.5 p.p.), South Korea (+6.3 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Hong Kong SAR and Japan saw its share reduced by -7% and -9.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms in Eastern Asia, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +4.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+4.4% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+11.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 37% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :