Ethylbenzene market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Russian ethylbenzene market showed fluctuating volumes, reaching a high of 831 thousand tons in 2020 before contracting to 802 thousand tons in 2021. This initial growth occurred despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced challenges for raw material availability and demand. The subsequent decline in 2021 and a further drop to 794 thousand tons in 2022 coincided with geopolitical trade restrictions that affected import and export flows, disrupting supply chains.

From 2022 onward, significant announcements for new production capacity marked a shift. Nizhnekamskneftekhim unveiled plans to build a new 350 thousand ton per year ethylbenzene unit using EBOne technology, while Sibur outlined projects to expand polystyrene output, which would increase derivative demand for ethylbenzene. These investments, aimed at reducing import dependency, provided a foundation for market recovery, with volumes rising to 825 thousand tons by 2024.

The market's underlying stability is tied to styrene manufacturing, which consumes 99% of ethylbenzene output. Technological developments, including work on solid alkylation catalysts, promise future efficiency gains. Fluctuations in the feedstock base, such as a 7% dip in benzene production in early 2023 due to a shutdown at the Stavrolen plant, had a limited immediate impact on ethylbenzene volumes during this period.

Production ethylbenzene in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 804.2 thousand tonnes of ethylbenzene, which represents a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 828.7 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 2.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports ethylbenzene from Russia

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their maximum in 2019 at 64 kg, then plummeted to their minimum in 2020 at 0.0 kg, representing a dramatic 99.9% decline. In 2021, Russia's ethylbenzene exports rebounded sharply to 14 kg, marking an extraordinary 34 100.0% increase from the previous year. The variation between the 2019 peak and 2020 low was 1 591-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Russia's ethylbenzene exports were almost exclusively directed to Kazakhstan and Belarus, with these two countries accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, $ US

The market demonstrated an unstable trend throughout the observed timeframe. Export values peaked in 2019 at 55 US dollars, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 8 US dollars, representing an 85.7% decline. In 2021, ethylbenzene exports from Russia recovered to 21 US dollars, showing a substantial 167.5% increase compared to 2020. The difference between the 2019 maximum and 2020 minimum was 7-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Kazakhstan dominated Russia's ethylbenzene exports in value terms, accounting for 70.4% of total flows, while other trading partners held relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports ethylbenzene to Russia

Imports in kind, kg

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their highest level in 2019 at 3 723 kg, then dropped to their lowest point in 2020 at 62 kg, representing a 98.3% decline. In 2021, Russia's ethylbenzene imports rebounded to 293 kg, marking a significant 368.8% increase from the previous year. The variation between the 2019 peak and 2020 low was 60-fold, with the largest annual increase of 2 333.8% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Germany was the dominant source for Russia's ethylbenzene imports in volume terms, accounting for 86.5% of total flows, with other partners supplying the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their maximum in 2018, then fell to their minimum in 2020 at 2 043 US dollars, representing a 61.1% decline. In 2021, Russia imported ethylbenzene worth a total that showed a sharp 180.6% increase compared to the previous year. The variation between the 2018 peak and 2020 low was 3.1-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Germany (64.6% of import value), China (14.7% of import value), and Canada (9.5% of import value) remained Russia's key ethylbenzene import partners, together accounting for 88.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021