PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1916560
PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1916560
The global ethylene carbonate market was valued at USD 206.84 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 231.37 million in 2026, reaching USD 524.62 million by 2034. This expansion reflects a strong CAGR of 11.10% during the 2026-2034 forecast period, primarily driven by rising demand from lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and advanced energy storage systems. In 2025, Asia Pacific dominated the market with a 63% share, supported by its leadership in battery manufacturing, electronics production, and polymer processing.
Ethylene carbonate is a cyclic carbonate ester derived from ethylene glycol and carbonic acid. Its high polarity, excellent water solubility, and strong dielectric properties make it an ideal solvent and electrolyte component. The product is widely used in lubricants, plastics, resins, surface coatings, and chemical intermediates. Over recent years, its role in lithium-ion battery electrolytes has emerged as the most significant growth driver, positioning ethylene carbonate as a critical material in the global energy transition.
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted market growth due to plant shutdowns, restricted logistics, and delayed automotive and energy infrastructure projects. Key end-use industries such as automotive, polymers, lubricants, and resins experienced demand contraction in 2020. However, the market recovered rapidly following the easing of lockdowns, supported by renewed momentum in electric mobility and rising demand from pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries.
One of the most influential market trends is the accelerating electrification of vehicles. Electric vehicle sales have grown rapidly over the last five years, driven by global emission-reduction targets and clean-energy investments. Lithium-ion batteries form the backbone of electric vehicles, and ethylene carbonate is a vital electrolyte solvent enabling stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation, longer battery life, and improved energy density. Asia Pacific alone recorded market growth from USD 103.40 million in 2023 to USD 116.10 million in 2024, reflecting strong regional adoption.
Among the key growth factors, lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors represent the largest demand engine. Battery-grade ethylene carbonate improves cycle stability and overall battery performance, making it indispensable for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid-scale energy storage. The expansion of supercapacitors further supports demand, as ethylene carbonate enables high capacitance and improved charge-discharge efficiency. These applications are expected to sustain strong consumption growth through 2034.
Despite strong demand, the market faces restraints linked to environmental regulations, particularly in China. Stricter carbon-emission targets under national development plans have forced several producers to shut down or reduce output from conventional production facilities. Plant closures and lower utilization rates have affected short-term supply dynamics, potentially tightening availability during the mid-term forecast period.
By grade, battery-grade ethylene carbonate dominated the market with a 61.59% share in 2026, driven by surging lithium-ion battery demand. This segment is expected to expand significantly through 2030. Electronic-grade material is growing alongside the semiconductor industry, while industrial-grade ethylene carbonate continues to serve polymers, cosmetics, lubricants, and pharmaceutical applications.
By application, lithium battery electrolytes accounted for a 61.59% share in 2026, supported by the product's high boiling point and electrochemical stability. Polymers & resins represent a secondary growth area, while semiconductor and lubricant applications contribute moderate but consistent demand.
By end-use, the automotive segment led the market with a 59.03% share in 2026, reflecting the rapid shift toward electric vehicles. Electronics, industrial, and healthcare sectors further support diversified demand.
Regionally, Asia Pacific remained the dominant market, valued at USD 131.23 million in 2025, supported by strong lithium-ion battery production capacity in China, Japan, South Korea, and India. North America and Europe are witnessing rising investment in battery manufacturing, supported by government policies promoting electric mobility and emission reduction.
The competitive landscape includes major producers such as BASF SE, Huntsman International LLC, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, and Shandong Shida Shenghua Chemical Group Co. Ltd., all of which are expanding capacity with a strong focus on battery-grade production.
Conclusion
The global ethylene carbonate market is poised for robust expansion from USD 206.84 million in 2025 to USD 524.62 million by 2034, driven primarily by accelerating electric vehicle adoption and the rapid growth of lithium-ion battery and supercapacitor technologies. Asia Pacific's dominance underscores the importance of battery manufacturing hubs, while policy-driven electrification initiatives in North America and Europe continue to create new growth avenues. Although environmental regulations pose short-term supply challenges, ongoing investments in cleaner production technologies and capacity expansion are expected to sustain long-term market growth through 2034.
Segmentation
By Grade
By Application
By End-use
By Geography