MERCOSUR: Market for Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms 2025

Market Size for Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR polyethylene glycol and polyether market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, growing by 22% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms in MERCOSUR

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 39% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas shipments of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms increased by 26% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports showed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 178% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 130%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Colombia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) dominates exports structure, together generating 93% of total exports. The following exporters - Argentina (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) - together made up 5.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +14.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene glycol and polyether supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Colombia ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X), together comprising 97% of total exports.

Colombia, with a CAGR of +16.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 42% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Polyethylene Glycols and Polyethers in Primary Forms

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms were imported in MERCOSUR; jumping by 24% against 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol and polyether imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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

Brazil represented the main importer of polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 56% of total imports in 2021. Colombia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Peru (8.5%), Argentina (7.6%) and Chile (7.3%). Ecuador (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 Brazil stood at +2.7%. At the same time, Peru (+5.8%), Colombia (+5.2%), Chile (+3.9%) and Ecuador (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012-2021. Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Colombia (+2.7 p.p.) and Peru (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-2.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polyethylene glycols and polyethers in primary forms in MERCOSUR, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 9.2% share.

In Brazil, polyethylene glycol and polyether imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+5.9% per year) and Argentina (+3.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 57% against the previous year. Import price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price reached 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 Argentina ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) and Chile ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform