- Market Overview
- Strategic Analysis
- Key Features
Market Overview
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
As the industry moves through 2026 and into 2027, the global ethylene oxide (EO) market and its key derivatives—most notably monoethylene glycol (MEG), are entering a critical phase of the capital cycle. The market remains burdened by structural oversupply, primarily resulting from substantial capacity additions in mainland China over the past three years. This excess capacity is expected to continue suppressing operating rates and producer margins through much of 2026. However, as the cycle matures, the market is projected to begin a gradual rebalancing, signaling an approach toward the trough of the current downturn.
Amid these broader challenges, select high-value growth segments are emerging as important offsetting opportunities. The accelerating electrification of the global automotive fleet is driving strong demand for high-purity EO derivatives, particularly ethylene carbonate, a critical component in lithium-ion battery electrolytes. This rapidly expanding application offers a meaningful margin uplift compared with the slower recovery trajectory in traditional textile and polyester fiber markets.
Looking ahead, EO and MEG pricing will remain highly sensitive to fluctuations in upstream feedstock costs, especially naphtha and ethane, as well as evolving energy and environmental policies. However, the most defining challenge over the next two years will be geopolitical fragmentation. The expansion of protectionist measures and tariff barriers is reshaping global trade flows and increasing operational and supply-chain risks. In this environment, success will depend on deep, data-driven market intelligence to identify arbitrage opportunities, manage volatility, and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Key Products Covered
- Ethylene Oxide (EO)
- High-purity Ethylene Oxide (HPEO)
- Monoethylene Glycol (MEG)
- Diethylene Glycol (DEG)
- Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
- Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (BGE)
- Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (DBGE)
- Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
- Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates (FAE)
- Polycarboxylate Ether Monomer (PCE)
- Ethylene Carbonate (EC)
Strategic Analysis
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
The Global Ethylene Oxide, Glycols & EO Derivatives Market Advisory Service delivers a comprehensive, 360-degree analysis of the global markets, offering deep insights across the entire value chain—from feedstocks to diverse end-use sectors. This service provides clients with critical data, including pricing trends, supply and demand balances, operating schedules, cash cost structures, and margin analysis, ensuring a complete understanding of market dynamics.
By integrating global and regional feedstock supply insights, the service examines their influence on market balance and pricing. Subscribers also benefit from expert commentary on trade flows, regulatory developments, technological innovations, and other key market-moving events. Combining data-driven analysis with seasoned market expertise, this advisory service empowers clients with the clarity and foresight needed to confidently navigate the complexities of the ethylene oxide and glycols markets worldwide.
The Global Ethylene Oxide, Glycols & Derivatives Service delivers a comprehensive, forward-looking analysis of the MEG, DEG, TEG, EO, and key HPEO derivatives markets. Grounded in a detailed evaluation of the full value chain, this service provides clients with critical pricing data and essential econometric insights to support informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Key Features
Duration: Short-term – 2-year price forecast and market outlook
PRICES COVERED
Contract and spot price summary with a brief review of current market conditions.
- Ethylene Oxide (EO)
- Monobutyl ether of MEG (EB)
- Mono-, Di- and Tri- Ethanolamines
- Monoethylene Glycol (MEG)
- Diethylene Glycol (DEG)
- AEO-9 (Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates) in Mainland China
- Monobutyl ether of DEG (DB)
- Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
GLOBAL WEEKLY MARKET REPORT
This report delivers an in-depth analysis of the global ethylene oxide and glycols market, combining short-term price movements with long-term industry trends. It offers comprehensive insights into operational shifts, demand dynamics, and process economics, alongside timely price assessments and near-term forecasts to illuminate current and upcoming market conditions.
The analysis covers supply and demand scenarios, highlighting key market drivers and events influencing the sector. Regional snapshots provide updates on developments across Asia, North America, and Europe/Middle East, capturing the pulse of the global market landscape.
The weekly report features a concise review of recent and projected trends for ethylene oxide, monoethylene glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), and major HPEO derivatives including E-series glycol ethers, ethanolamines, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, ethylene carbonate, and polyethylene glycols. It details contract price movements, regional spot market trading ranges, and supply-demand balances to support informed decision-making.
GLOBAL MONTHLY MARKET REPORT
This report offers comprehensive analysis of key market developments, including operational changes, demand fluctuations, and process economics. It provides detailed insights into near-term supply and demand dynamics, evaluates significant events impacting the market, and delivers forecasts of future trends. The report also features a regional overview covering current events across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Additionally, a concise summary is provided in a downloadable PDF format for quick reference.
DATA SUPPLEMENT
This report delivers detailed plant operating schedules, comprehensive quarterly supply and demand balances, and in-depth production economics analysis. Designed to support strategic planning in the aromatics industry, it offers critical insights into capacity utilization, market supply dynamics, and cost structures across key production facilities.
MARKET FOCUS REPORT
These reports provide in-depth research on critical and timely challenges facing the ethylene oxide and derivatives industries. Past analyses have covered topics such as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, market dynamics for ethylene oxide derivatives in Europe, the impact of anti-dumping duties on MEG, developments in ethylene carbonate, and other significant industry issues.
ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
Clients receive direct, one-on-one access to industry experts through phone consultations, email support, or scheduled meetings to discuss the key insights featured in the monthly market report. This personalized advisory service enables subscribers to deepen their understanding of market fundamentals, price drivers, and supply–demand dynamics, while clarifying complex data points and analysis. It also provides tailored perspectives on region-specific market trends, empowering clients to make more informed, strategic decisions across the global petrochemical value chain
SUPPLY & DEMAND
This service delivers short-term production news, up-to-date production statistics, and detailed plant-by-plant operating schedules, along with coverage of long-term structural changes in global supply. It also features in-depth end-use market analysis across a wide range of downstream sectors, supported by comprehensive reviews of macro-level industry trends. These insights help clients anticipate market shifts and make informed strategic decisions in the evolving global aromatics landscape.
TRADE
Comprehensive global trade insights for the aromatics market. This service includes up-to-date trade statistics, in-depth global trade flow analysis, and freight rate estimates across key shipping routes. It also provides detailed tracking of tariffs and sanctions affecting the movement of aromatics and related chemicals, helping stakeholders assess regulatory impacts and optimize global supply chain strategies.
WEBINAR
Client webinars deliver comprehensive insights into market developments across North America, Europe/Middle East, and Asia. Each session includes expert analysis of current topics such as global economic trends, trade dynamics, and other significant market events. These interactive webinars also provide clients with the opportunity to engage directly with Subject Matter Experts through live Q&A sessions, fostering deeper understanding and informed decision-making.