Global Polyethylene capacity is poised to see considerable growth over the next nine years, potentially increasing from 110.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2017 to 150.9 mtpa in 2026. Around 110 planned and announced projects are slated to come online in the next nine years, primarily in the Middle East and Asia.

Sibur Holding, Badlands Ngls LLC, and Gazprom are the top three companies by planned capacity additions globally over the next nine years. Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Co, and Saudi Basic Industries Corp are the top global producers of Polyethylene, with capacities of 8.4 mtpa, 7.7 mtpa, and 5.5 mtpa, respectively, in 2017.

Key Highlights

In the Middle East, Iran has 22 planned and announced Polyethylene projects, expected to start operations with total capacity of about 6.7 mtpa by 2023.

In Asia, China has 13 planned and announced Polyethylene projects, with a total capacity of about 4.4 mtpa by 2021.

The US has 19 planned and announced Polyethylene projects, with a capacity of about 9.4 mtpa by 2022 and plans to spend US$11.26 billion.

In the Former Soviet Union, most Polyethylene capacity additions are in Russia, with capacity of about 6.4 mtpa by 2024.

In South America, major Polyethylene capacity additions are in Bolivia, with planned and announced capacity additions of about 0.8 mtpa by 2023.

In Africa, Egypt plans to spend US$1.27 billion and add capacity of about 1.4 mtpa, expected to come onstream by 2019.

In Europe, Czech Republic plans to spend US$0.07 billion and add capacity of 0.27 mtpa, expected to come onstream by 2018.