The global production of ethylene oxide (EO) registered stable growth over 2009-2012. In 2012, EO output exceeded 21 million tonnes, representing growth by over 800,000 tonnes y-o-y. Asia is an unrivalled leader in terms of the EO production volume, accounting for almost 40% of the overall figure. It is followed by North America. China, the USA and Saudi Arabia represent top three EO manufacturing countries, holding a combined share of above 44% of the total EO production.
Ethylene oxide capacity broken down by region, 2012
Shell, Dow Chemical Company, BASF, SINOPEC Corp., Honam Petrochemical Corp, Ineos Oxide and Nan Ya Plastics Corp are among the flagships of the global EO ocean.
In 2012, more than 80% of the global EO output was consumed for the production of ethylene glycols. The production of surface-active agents also represents an important EO consumer. Asia is the main regional EO consumer; the region’s consumption was estimated at above 8.7 million in 2012.
The global EO foreign trade was evaluated at nearly USD 608.4 million in 2012. Europe is the leading EO exporter and importer.
In 2012, the output of the largest EO producer, China, was estimated at around 3.7 million tonnes and the domestic consumption overrode 2.7 million tonnes. The country’s EO imports considerably prevail over exports.
Trade balance of Ethylene oxide in China in 2006-2011, tonnes
The EO production of the second leading country, the USA, went beyond 3.5 million tonnes in 2012. The US EO exports are considerably higher than imports. Canada, China and Brazil were the leading importers of the EO made in the USA.
The global EO production is poised for stable growth in the upcoming years and it is expected to be over 25.9 million tonnes in 2018.
More information on the Ethylene Oxide Market can be found in the report Ethylene Oxide (EO): 2013 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2017.