PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1776149
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1776149
Propylene petrochemical is a fundamental and versatile chemical, akin to ethylene, utilized in the manufacturing of everyday household items. Propylene serves as a constituent in the addition polymer poly(propene) and plays a role in the production of epoxy propane and propanol.
The primary categories of propylene petrochemicals include homopolymers and copolymers. A homopolymer, similar to polyethylene, is a polymer comprising identical monomer units. These find various applications in injection molding, fiber and raffia production, film and sheet manufacturing, and blow molding. The end-user industries encompass automotive, construction, packaging, textiles, and other sectors.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact-particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.
The propylene-petrochemical market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides propylene-petrochemical market statistics, including propylene-petrochemical industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a propylene-petrochemical market share, detailed propylene-petrochemical market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the propylene-petrochemical industry. This propylene-petrochemical market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The propylene-petrochemicals market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $134.35 billion in 2024 to $138.36 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in feedstock availability and pricing, global economic growth, consumer goods manufacturing, environmental regulations, market competition and industry consolidation.
The propylene-petrochemicals market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $170.19 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to shift towards sustainable practices, rise in packaging demand, energy transition and petrochemical industry impact, government policies and incentives, planned petrochemical projects. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in production, increased focus on bio-based propylene, expansion of propylene production capacity, integration of advanced catalytic technologies, technological advancements in propylene derivatives.
The forecast of 5.3% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by increasing production costs for plastics and synthetic rubber, as propylene is a key feedstock sourced from countries like South Korea and Saudi Arabia, leading to higher prices for downstream manufacturers.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The propylene market is poised to experience growth during the forecast period, driven by the expansion of the automobile industry. Polypropylene, a polymer derived from the propylene monomer, plays a crucial role in the automobile sector. The substantial production of automobiles has led to an upsurge in the demand for polypropylene products, utilized in various components such as battery cases, trays, bumpers, interior trim, instrument panels, fender liners, door trims, among others. For instance, Goldman Sachs estimates that global sales of new cars in emerging markets will increase from 68 million in 2020 to 78 million by 2025. Consequently, the heightened use of plastics in the automotive sector is anticipated to drive the demand for propylene in the forecast period.
The expanding chemical industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the propylene-petrochemicals market in the coming years. The chemical industry, often referred to simply as the chemical sector or chemical manufacturing industry, encompasses the production, development, and sale of chemicals and chemical products. Propylene-derived petrochemicals are crucial in this sector, serving as feedstock for the production of various chemicals and materials. Propylene, a hydrocarbon gas, is primarily obtained from the refining of crude oil and the processing of natural gas. For instance, in February 2023, BASF SE, a Germany-based chemicals company, reported that global chemical production (excluding pharmaceuticals) is expected to grow by 2.0% in 2023. In China, the largest chemical market worldwide, production is forecast to increase by 5.9%. Thus, the growth of the chemical industry is driving the expansion of the propylene-petrochemicals market.
Petrochemical companies are increasingly embracing on-purpose propylene production technologies, focusing on generating propylene as a primary product rather than an alternative or co-product. On-purpose propylene technology involves a modified version of the traditional fluid catalytic cracking unit, enhancing propylene yield by 20% compared to the standard output. Traditional propylene sources, such as steam crackers and oil refineries, yield less propylene as a derivative or co-product due to a shift in feedstocks from naphtha to ethane. To address the growing demand for propylene, petrochemical companies are investing in the development of on-purpose technologies to overcome the shortfall in propylene production. Prominent on-purpose technologies include propane dehydrogenation, methanol-to-olefins/methanol-to-propylene (MTO/MTP), high-severity fluidized catalytic cracking (HS-FCC), coal-to-olefins/coal-to-propylene (CTO/CTP), and gas-to-olefins (GTO). Companies adopting this technology include BASF, Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil Chemical, and Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Co (SIDPEC).
Major players in the propylene-petrochemicals market are diversifying their product portfolios, exemplified by innovations such as the Novolen PPure polypropylene (PP), aimed at enhancing their market profitability. The Novolen PPure PP portfolio offers a range of polymers facilitating the production of high-quality goods for automotive, medical, and food packaging components. In November 2022, Lummus Technology LLC, a US-based petrochemical technology company, launched the Novolen PPure PP portfolio. It represents a more environmentally friendly product grade, reducing CO2 emissions and delivering significant energy savings. The Novolen portfolio includes the Lummus O3S operator training simulator, PPConnect digital data analysis platform, and NPM advanced process controls system.
In January 2022, Invista, a US-based company specializing in fiber, resin, and intermediates, acquired the propylene business of Flint Hills Resources for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition encompasses chemical facilities in Houston and Longview, Texas, ownership of pipelines supplying facilities, and support employees. This strategic move expanded Invista's portfolio and positioned the company for future growth. Flint Hills Resources is an American refining company.
Major companies operating in the propylene-petrochemicals market include Sinopec Corp., China Petrochemical Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, China National Petroleum Corp., Royal Dutch Shell plc, Total S.A., Valero Energy Corp., Eni S.p.A., Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., BASF SE, Repsol S.A, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Enterprise Products Partners L.P., The Dow Chemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corp., LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Honeywell International Inc., Linde plc, Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Ineos Group Ltd., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Huntsman International LLC, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Dangote Industries Ltd., Manali Petrochemical Ltd., Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., Polioles S.A. de CV, AGC Chemicals Americas Inc., SKC Chemie Pvt. Ltd
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the propylene-petrochemical market in 2024. Middle East was the second-largest region in the global propylene-petrochemicals market. The regions covered in the propylene-petrochemicals market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the propylene-petrochemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The propylene petrochemical market consists of the sales of propylene petrochemicals used in the production of acrylics, rubbing alcohol, epoxy glue, and carpets. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Propylene-Petrochemicals Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on propylene-petrochemicals market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for propylene-petrochemicals ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The propylene-petrochemicals market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.