Ethylene dimerization market

Ethylene dimerization is a chemical reaction in which two ethylene molecules combine to form butene molecules. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon gas with formula C₂H₂ and is produced by steam cracking of naptha in petrochemical industry. Different catalysts such as titanium, nickel, and zirconium are used in ethylene dimerization to obtain butene-1, butane-2 or both as reaction products. These butene molecules are further processed to produce number of derivatives such as polyethylene, propylene, and butylene oxide.

Market Dynamics:

• Ethylene dimerization is a simple and low investment technology used to produce propylene. Therefore, increasing demand for propylene is major factor propelling growth of the global ethylene dimerization market. For instance, According to Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturer’s Association of India, global demand for propylene was 102 million metric tons in 2016.
• Propylene is majorly used in production of polypropylene. Demand for polypropylene is high from Asia Pacific region. According to Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturer’s Association of India, Asia Pacific is expected to account for 64% of global polypropylene demand by 2025. This in turn is expected to increase demand for propylene, thereby boosting growth of the ethylene dimerization market in Asia Pacific.
• However, development in other propylene production technologies such as propane dehydrogenation and methanol to propylene technology is expected to hamper the market growth.

Market Outlook:  

• Major reaction product of ethylene dimerization is butene-1, which is predominately used for the production of polyethylene (LLDPE and HDPE). Increasing demand for polyethylene can be attributed to high demand for plastic. According to plastics and composites sector report (2015) of Academy of Sciences Malaysia, worldwide plastic demand is expected to reach 600 million tons by 2050.
• Therefore, high demand for plastic and polyethylene is expected to boost production of butene, thereby propelling growth of the ethylene dimerization market.

Key Players:

• Key players operating in the global ethylene dimerization market include,

Lyondellbasell, Axens, SABIC, McDermott International, Inc., ExxonMobil, and Phillips

Market Taxonomy:

On the basis of end products, the global ethylene dimerization market is segmented into:

• Propylene
• LLDPE
• HDPE
• Polybutene
• Others (Butadiene, Butylene oxide, and Valeraldehyde)

On the basis of application, the global ethylene dimerization market is segmented into:

• Packaging
• Fibers & Textile
• Paint
• Automotive

On the basis of region, the global ethylene dimerization market is segmented into:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ASEAN
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa

Key Developments

• In January 2019, INEOS Group completed the acquisition of Ethoxylation plant from Wilmar International Limited located in Lavéra, France. INEOS annual ethylene oxide production capacity at Lavéra is expected to reach 270 KT. Furthermore, the acquisition has helped INEOS Group to expand its ethylene product offerings in Europe market.
• In September 2018, INEOS invested US$ 66.6 million to construct a new furnace to expand the ethylene capacity at its Grangemouth (Scotland) plant. This new furnace is expected to improve efficiency of the plant and increase its production capacity to meet growing demand of ethylene in the Europe market.
• In March 2017, Dow completed construction of its new ethylene production facility at its plant in Texas (U.S.). The plant has a production capacity of 1.5 million metric tons of ethylene per year. The new plant will help to meet increasing demand of ethylene from various end-use industries.