Polyethylene Glycol Wax Market

The global market for artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol is set to experience growth in both consumption and value terms over the next eight years, driven by increasing demand worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to expand with a CAGR of +2.4% in volume and +4.3% in value from 2022 to 2030. The total consumption of polyethylene glycol waxes has shown a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022, with significant growth in key consuming countries like China, India, and the United States. Production and imports have also seen growth, with countries like South Korea, Turkey, and India playing major roles in the market. Export prices and volumes have fluctuated over the years, with notable growth rates in certain countries like South Korea and China. Overall, the global market for polyethylene glycol waxes is expected to continue growing in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Artificial And Prepared Waxes Of Polyethylene Glycol

For the eleventh year in a row, the global market recorded growth in consumption of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol, which increased by 2.9% to 881K tons in 2022. In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +77.8% against 2012 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global polyethylene glycol wax market revenue reached $2.4B in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +71.9% against 2014 indices. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (142K tons), India (84K tons) and the United States (83K tons), with a combined 35% share of global consumption. Turkey, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Germany, the UK and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +21.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene glycol wax markets worldwide were China ($496M), the United States ($316M) and India ($175M), together comprising 42% of the global market. Japan, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, Italy, Brazil, the UK, Russia, Germany and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +19.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of polyethylene glycol wax per capita consumption in 2022 were Turkey (790 kg per 1000 persons), Italy (474 kg per 1000 persons) and the UK (355 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Artificial And Prepared Waxes Of Polyethylene Glycol

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was decline in production of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol, when its volume decreased by -1% to 873K tons. In general, the total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +77.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 14%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 883K tons, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol wax production shrank to $2.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +68.5% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $2.4B, and then contracted in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were South Korea (164K tons), China (143K tons) and the United States (72K tons), together accounting for 43% of global production. Germany, Russia, Belgium, Japan, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +16.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Artificial And Prepared Waxes Of Polyethylene Glycol

For the ninth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol, which increased by 8.5% to 333K tons in 2022. Overall, imports saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol wax imports surged to $791M in 2022. In general, imports showed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

Turkey (68K tons) and India (57K tons) were the main importers of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol in 2022, amounting to approx. 20% and 17% of total imports, respectively. Italy (24K tons) held a 7.2% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (5.3%), the United States (5.3%), France (5.3%), China (5.2%), the UK (5%) and Vietnam (4.9%). Spain (11K tons), the United Arab Emirates (8.9K tons), Belgium (7.5K tons) and Poland (7.1K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +74.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($123M), India ($93M) and China ($74M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 37% share of global imports. France, Italy, the United States, Vietnam, the UK, Germany, Spain, Poland, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

Among the main importing countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +57.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average polyethylene glycol wax import price amounted to $2,378 per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild curtailment. Global import price peaked at $2,766 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($4,318 per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($1,173 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Artificial And Prepared Waxes Of Polyethylene Glycol

After five years of growth, overseas shipments of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol decreased by -2.4% to 325K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 333K tons, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene glycol wax exports expanded sharply to $660M in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, South Korea (155K tons) was the major exporter of artificial and prepared waxes of polyethylene glycol, mixing up 48% of total exports. Belgium (49K tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (15%) and China (5.4%). Russia (11K tons), France (9.6K tons) and the Netherlands (7.9K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyethylene glycol wax exports from South Korea stood at +14.7%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+49.4%), Russia (+43.8%), China (+42.6%), France (+25.8%), Belgium (+16.8%) and Germany (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +49.4% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Korea, Belgium, China, Russia, the Netherlands and France increased by +20, +7.7, +5.1, +3.2, +2.3 and +2.3 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Korea ($193M), Germany ($161M) and Belgium ($100M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of global exports. China, Russia, France and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +44.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average polyethylene glycol wax export price stood at $2,031 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $2,599 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($3,325 per ton), while South Korea ($1,247 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.7%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform