Global Polyethylene Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

Global Polyethylene Market, By Product Type (Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)), Technology (Films and Sheets Extrusion, Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Infrastructure, Lifestyle, Others), End User (Packaging, Construction, Automotive, Electrical and Electronics, Household Appliances, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, Others) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029

Market Analysis and Size

Polyethylene is an important member of the family of polyolefin resins. It is the most commonly used plastic in the globe, being made into products which is ranging from shopping bags and clear food wrap to detergent bottles and automobile fuel tanks. Polyethylene is available in variety of forms and can be used for the production of different type of products such as plastic films, plastic containers and plastic bags as they can be easily remoulded after being smelted into liquid. While having several uses, polyethylene is considered as a harmful material for the environment. The consumption and sales of polyethylene depends on numerous factors such as trends in the demand for different products which has manufactured by using polyethylene, the government policies and environmental concerns and the wide growth in the global population is anticipated to bode well for the growth of the polyethylene market.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the polyethylene market was valued at USD 1.12 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 1.69 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 5.29 % during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, patent analysis and technological advancements.     

Report Scope and Market Segmentation

Market Definition

Polyethylene is also known as polyethen or polythene which is one of the generally used plastics in the globe. Polyethylene generally have a linear structure which is known to be addition polymers. The common formula of polyethylene can be written as (C2H4)n. Most types of polyethylene are thermoplastic which can be remolded by heating. However, some reformed polyethylene plastics exhibit thermosetting characteristics. Polyethylene is often used to make containers, plastic bags, bottles, plastic films, and geomembranes.

Polyethylene Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Rising demand in packaging sector

There are numerous packaging options available on the market, but polyethylene is one of the most commonly used. It is the most durable plastic available today due to its unique properties such as chemically resistant and low cost. The rising demand of polyethylene for packaging products in the packaging industry is expected to drive the market growth rate.

• Increase the demand for bio based products

The world is moving towards achieving sustainability by decreasing carbon footprints. The rising initiatives of the governments and various corporates in different economies are expected to significantly drive the demands for the bio-based polyethylene products. Furthermore, the major market players are shifting their focus towards the development and manufacturing of bio-based polyethylene which are the major reason for the rising demand of the polyethylene in the market.

• Rising demand of High-performance polyethylene

High-performance polyethylene (HPPE) possesses numerous advantageous properties such as high impact strength and high resistance to strong organic solvents like acids and bases. Because of its low coefficient of friction, high-performance polyethylene is used in a variety of applications, including metal protection, pharmaceutical applications, lubrication of machinery in the food and beverage industry, and others. High-performance polyethylene is expected to drive the demand of polyethylene in the market during forecast period

Opportunities

• Increasing number of developing strategies by the market players

The polyethylene market is fragmented, with several market players present. The major market players are constantly pursuing a variety of development strategies in order to gain a competitive advantage, gain market share, and capitalise on market opportunities. For example, in May 2020, UPM Raflatac launched a new line of Forest Film products made from post-consumer recycled plastics and used in product packaging.

Also, the development of new products and Advancements in technology are also contributing to revenue growth of the market and further boost beneficial opportunities for the growth of the polyethylene market.

Restraints/ Challenges

• Harmful effect on environment

The use of polyethylene is very harmful for the environment when the polyethylene gets into the soil then deteriorate the quality and fertility of soil by releasing toxic chemicals. These major market restrains will obstruct the market's growth rate.

Polyethylene are the most produced wastes across the globe which are significantly pollutes oceans and lands. Most of the polyethylene-based plastic bag wastes gets dumped into the ocean, killing around 100,000 marine animals yearly. The government rules and initiatives to protect the environment from this wastes are anticipated to be the major challenge for the market players during the forecast period.

This polyethylene market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the polyethylene market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

COVID-19 Impact on Polyethylene Market

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the world and subsequently shrinking the GDP and the global economy this has changed the consumer spending patterns globally. The ongoing pandemic has negatively impacted the major end users of polyethylene such as construction, packaging, automotive, food and beverages and transportation. On the other hand, emergence of COVID-19 had a positive impact on the growth of the global polyethylene market because the demand for the personal protective equipment (PPE) composed of polyethylene has played vital role in protecting the people during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a rising concern over the unparalleled upsurge in single-use plastics such masks, food & polyethylene goods packages, as protective medical suits, gloves, hand sanitizer bottle and medical test kits since the coronavirus pandemic began. This is also depicted to show positive impact toward the growth of the polyethylene market.

Recent Development

• In November 2021, NOVA Chemicals Corporation and Charter Next Generation had announced a substantial landmark in the large-scale use of post-consumer resin (PCR) for elastic film applications. Both the companies have efficiently cooperated to develop a circular economy where valued plastic materials are recycled to be used again and again and increase the supply of more sustainable products for packaging.
• In December 2020, A new chemical process established at the University of California, Berkeley which can convert polyethylene plastic into a valuable and strong adhesive.

Global Polyethylene Market Scope

The polyethylene market is segmented on the basis of products type, technology and end-user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Product Type

• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Technology

• Films and Sheets Extrusion
• Injection Molding
•  Blow Molding
• Infrastructure
• Lifestyle
• Others

 End User

• Packaging
• Construction
• Automotive
• Electrical and Electronics
• Household Appliances
• Consumer Goods
• Agriculture
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Polyethylene Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The polyethylene market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, product type, technology and end-user as referenced above.

The countries covered in the polyethylene market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, United Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific dominates the polyethylene market in terms of market share during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region leads the polyethylene market due to the rapid expansion of this region's food and beverages, infrastructure, packaging, and construction industries.

During the estimated period, Europe is anticipated to be the fastest developing region due to the growing development of the packaging, automotive, electrical and electronics, and healthcare & pharmaceuticals sector in this region.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points like down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.   

Competitive Landscape and Polyethylene Market Share Analysis

The polyethylene market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to polyethylene market.

Some of the major players operating in the polyethylene market are:

• DuPont (U.S.)
• B.P. p.l.c (U.K.)
• TotalEnergies (France)
• Hanwha Group (South Korea)
• Ducor Petrochemicals (Netherlands)
• Borealis AG (Austria)
• MOL GROUP (Hungary)
• Reliance Industries Limited (India)
• Borouge (UAE)
• china petrochemical corporation (China)
• Formosa plastics corporation (Taiwan)
• Petronas chemicals group Berhad (Malaysia)
• Mitsui chemicals inc. (Japan)
• Exxon Mobil Corporation (U.S.)
• LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. (Netherlands)
• Sumitomo chemical co. ltd (Japan)
• SABIC (Saudi Arabia)
• INEOS (U.K.)
• Sasol (South Africa)
• Chevron Phillips chemical company LLC (U.S.)