Ethylene market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Belgium's ethylene market volume contracted from 2.2 million tons to 1.8 million tons. This decline was driven by volatile prices for key feedstocks like naphtha and ethane, which raised production costs, while tightening European environmental standards imposed stricter emissions and energy efficiency requirements on producers. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 further disrupted global supply chains, slowing market activity.

The market rebounded in 2021 and surged sharply to nearly 3 million tons in 2022. Post-pandemic recovery boosted demand for ethylene, particularly for medical plastics and packaging that expanded during the health crisis. Additionally, increased use of ethylene oxide for sterilization plants lifted industrial consumption, driving rapid volume growth after the earlier downturn.

In 2023, high domestic inflation raised industrial costs, tempering demand and reducing market volume to 2.5 million tons. By 2024, volume recovered to 2.7 million tons as demand grew in packaging, automotive, and construction sectors. Environmental awareness campaigns spurred interest in sustainable, bio-based ethylene products, while the extended operation of Belgium's nuclear power plants ensured stable energy supply for chemical production.

Production ethylene in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's ethylene production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 809 million US dollars, representing a significant 19.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 320 million US dollars, which saw a 15.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Belgium produced 1 060 thousand tonnes of ethylene, reflecting a modest 1.4% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 1 045 thousand tonnes, which experienced a 9.8% decline. The highest production was in 2018 at 1 159 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports ethylene from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, ethylene exports from Belgium reached 212 thousand tonnes, up by 8.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.7%, with an average annual increase of 4.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 272 thousand tonnes, which saw a substantial 44.8% rise. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Germany consistently accounted for 80.1% of Belgium's total ethylene exports in volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's ethylene export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it reached 159 million US dollars, down by 21.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 18%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 313 million US dollars, which experienced a 61.1% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Germany dominated Belgium's ethylene exports in value terms, together accounting for 82.8% of total flows, while other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports ethylene to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Ethylene imports into Belgium declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 947 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a sharp 16.5% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 39.7%, with an average annual decline of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (35.7% of imports in volume), the United Kingdom (29.2%), and Germany (17.4%) consistently remained the main sources for Belgium's ethylene imports, together accounting for 82.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Ethylene import value into Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it amounted to 694 million US dollars, constituting a fall of 37.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48.8%, with an average annual decline of 20.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 414 million US dollars, which saw a 4.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (39.6% of imports in value), the United Kingdom (24.5%), and Germany (16.1%) formed the main group of sources for Belgium's ethylene imports in value terms, with a combined share of 80.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020