Ethylene market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The ethylene market in Germany began the period with a production volume of 2 537 thousand tonnes and a market size of 2 997 thousand tonnes in 2018. This was supported by capacity expansion initiatives from major players, with BASF and SINOPEC starting to expand their integrated site to meet rising demand. In 2019, market volume fell to 2 675 thousand tonnes, a year that also saw global capacity additions such as the SABIC joint venture expansion in Tianjin. Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which introduced production stoppages and supply chain constraints, the market volume recovered to 2 786 thousand tonnes.

From 2021, demand began to recover, driven by the rebound in automotive and plastics manufacturing, yet market volume stabilized at 2 747 thousand tonnes. The year 2022 brought a sharp contraction to 2 417 thousand tonnes, largely due to soaring energy prices and ongoing COVID-19 impacts on supply chains. In 2023 and 2024, market volume continued to decrease, reaching 2 252 thousand tonnes, while regulatory factors such as the EU's requirement for recycled plastic in food packaging and a broader shift toward bio-based ethylene shaped market dynamics.

Production ethylene in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's ethylene production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 932 million US dollars, representing a moderate contraction of 6.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,200 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 16.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 14.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of decline, Germany's ethylene production volume increased. In 2020, 2,570 thousand tonnes of ethylene were produced, representing a 12.5% improvement compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 3.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,284 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 10.5%.

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

Exports ethylene from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 184.6 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 354.6 thousand tonnes, showing a 1.9-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Germany exported 354.6 thousand tonnes of ethylene, indicating a modest increase of 6.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 41.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 80.3%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Belgium accounted for 89.5% of Germany's total ethylene exports in volume terms, with the remaining volume distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's ethylene exports amounted to 254.2 million US dollars, indicating a strong decline of 13.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 208.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 30.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 39.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium remained the dominant partner for Germany's ethylene exports in value terms, with a share of 88.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail with smaller contributions.

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

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

Imports ethylene to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's imported ethylene volumes declined. In 2020, imports totaled 570.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a decline of 21.3% year-over-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 724.7 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (with 43.3% of imports in volume terms), the United Kingdom (20.7%), and Belgium (11.4%) together accounted for 75.4% of Germany's total ethylene imports in volume terms, remaining the main sources for ethylene to Germany.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's ethylene imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, a total of 461.3 million US dollars of ethylene was imported, indicating a sharp decline of 37.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 732.9 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (with 38.9% of imports in value terms), the United Kingdom (23.4%), and Belgium (11.9%) were the largest suppliers of ethylene to Germany, together forming 74.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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