World Analysis – Polyethylene

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

There are three basic polyethylene’s: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Polyethylene’s are classified according to their density and molecular structure. Their three key attributes are melt index, density, and co-monomer. All polyethylene is produced in one of four basic reactor processes: high pressure, solution, slurry, and gas phase. When combined with specific catalysts and co-monomers, these reactor processes generate products with specific density and properties. The main feedstock material needed is ethylene along with a comonomer. Like other polymers, PE competes against other materials, such as aluminum, steel, wood, cardboard, and glass. Capital investments generally are concentrated in regions with feedstock cost advantage or high demand growth, such as the Middle East, North America, and Asia Pacific, particularly in mainland China.

LDPE is widely used in applications requiring clarity, inertness, processing ease, sealability, moisture barriers, and good electrical properties. Examples of its applications are garment film, Tupperware, shrink wrap, produce bags, tubing and cable, and agricultural films. When compared with LDPE, LLDPE resins exhibit significantly improved stiffness, tensile, and impact properties, as well as better low- and high- temperature characteristics. However, LLDPE does not have LDPE’s clarity or ease of processing. Examples of LLDPE applications include consumer trash bags, stretch film, ice bags, injection molded lids, and drip irrigation tubing. HDPE is characterized by a wax-like feel, flexibility, chemical inertness, good stress crack resistance, and a relatively high softening temperature. HDPE applications are found in bottles (e.g. milk bottles), pipe, buckets, grocery (t-shirt) bags, and waste site liners.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

The World Analysis – Polyethylene provides a comprehensive analysis and key insights of critical market developments as they shape the future outlook for the global polyethylene market.

The following reports, data files, analytical tools and visualization modules are available online and can be downloaded from our website:

• Direct Access to the Subject Matter Experts
• In-depth exploration of present market strategic insights, recognition of key challenges, and presentation of our experts’ forecasts and analysis
• Explanatory Notes detailing data sources, methodologies, unit and conversion factors, and World Analysis deliverables.
• Energy and Economy assumptions
• Price, cost and margin base assumptions forecast and sensitivities analysis, including price assessment methodology, including price definitions across all regions.
• Excel data files with standard supply/demand graphics and price forecasts extended to 2050, trade grids with country and regional trade flows Data appendix (Excel) with supply/demand, capacity and trade tables.
• An online dashboard visualization of capacity, supply/demand, trade grids, and price, cost and margin forecasts
• Supply/demand and capacity database access via data browser
• Data Appendix (Excel) with supply/demand and capacity tables
• Capacity by company/shareholder, capacity integration, top producer/consumer and surplus/deficit capacity ranking, and ownership/subsidiary information

This World Analysis contains detailed information on capacities, production, demand, and trade for all significant producing and consuming countries and regions. Although data gathering is essential for understanding history and potential future trends, we believe that the interpretation and analysis of the data is the most valuable information to our clients.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050