U.S.: Ethylene Oxide Market 2025

Ethylene Oxide Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. ethylene oxide market expanded markedly to $X in 2022, rising by 6.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a significant expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Ethylene Oxide Production in the U.S.

In value terms, ethylene oxide production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -8.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 51%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Ethylene Oxide Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of oxirane (ethylene oxide) increased by 30% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after seven years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a precipitous decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ethylene oxide exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X tons) was the main destination for ethylene oxide exports from the United States, accounting for a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, ethylene oxide exports to Mexico exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Canada (X tons), fourfold. Colombia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mexico totaled +7.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (-37.1% per year) and Colombia (+5.1% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Thailand ($X) and South Korea ($X) constituted the largest markets for ethylene oxide exported from the United States worldwide, with a combined 45% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica and Canada, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Costa Rica, with a CAGR of +25.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average ethylene oxide export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 140%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+17.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ethylene Oxide Imports

Imports into the U.S.

Ethylene oxide imports into the United States skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, rising by 692% compared with the year before. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ethylene oxide imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 557%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest ethylene oxide supplier to the United States, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, ethylene oxide imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Turkey (X tons), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at -9.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+58.1% per year) and Turkey (+1,159.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest ethylene oxide suppliers to the United States were China ($X), Canada ($X) and Turkey ($X), together accounting for 92% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +293.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ethylene oxide import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -52.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 153%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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