Polyethylene Market Outlook:
Polyethylene Market size was estimated at USD 117.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to surpass USD 193.7 billion by the end of 2035, rising at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-2035. In 2026, the industry size of polyethylene is estimated at USD 123.8 billion.
Low-cost natural gas feed and related ethane availability in the main producing areas remain the main engine of expansion in the polyethylene industry. Underpinning polyethylene production, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that the exports of ethane and ethane-based petrochemicals reached 21.6 million metric tons (MMmt) in 2023, due to high domestic production. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reveals that the Import Price Index for plastic materials peaked at 174.7 in April 2025, mirroring the fall in feedstock-induced cost. Furthermore, according to the World Trade Integrated Solution (WITS) in 2023, Saudi Arabia led the exports of polyethylene, having a specific gravity of <0.94, which was further followed by the U.S. and the European Union. This reflects that demand for polyethylene is high due to the strong user base across the world.
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Polyethylene having a specific gravity of <0.94, Exports 2023 |
|
|
Saudi Arabia |
3,170,580,000 Kg |
|
U.S. |
3,341,890,000 Kg |
|
European Union |
1,021,060,000 Kg |
|
Netherlands |
839,022,000 Kg |
|
Belgium |
826,946,000 Kg |
Source: World Trade Integrated Solution (WITS)
