EU: Propylene Glycol Market 2024

Propylene Glycol Market Size in the EU

The EU propylene glycol market shrank to $X in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +27.3% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Propylene Glycol Production in the EU

In value terms, propylene glycol production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +34.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Propylene Glycol Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, approx. X tons of propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol) were exported in the European Union; waning by -33.1% compared with 2021. Overall, exports recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 35%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, propylene glycol exports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted pronounced growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 120% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany was the major exporter of propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol) in the European Union, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 47% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together committing a 46% share of total exports. The following exporters - Poland (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - together made up 5.4% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to propylene glycol exports from Germany stood at -3.1%. At the same time, Poland (+27.6%), Spain (+7.0%), Romania (+6.9%) and France (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +27.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Netherlands (-3.4%) and Belgium (-4.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Spain (+6.5 p.p.), France (+3.8 p.p.) and Poland (+3.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany saw its share reduced by -2.2%, -3.5% and -9.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest propylene glycol supplier in the European Union, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 12% share.

In Germany, propylene glycol exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+1.8% per year) and Spain (+12.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 63%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Belgium ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while France ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Propylene Glycol Imports

Imports in the EU

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol) decreased by -24% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, propylene glycol imports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 101% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of propylene glycol imports in 2022 were France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Spain (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Finland (X tons), together reaching 90% of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Italy ($X) and Spain ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 42% share of total imports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Sweden and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +18.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, propylene glycol import price increased by +102.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 62%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($X per ton), while Sweden ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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