The ethylene carbonate market has been experiencing various trends driven by factors such as increasing demand from end-use industries, technological advancements, regulatory policies, and fluctuating raw material prices. Ethylene carbonate is a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid with applications in various industries such as automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. One of the key market trends is the growing demand for ethylene carbonate in the lithium-ion battery industry. With the rising popularity of electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has been increasing significantly. Ethylene carbonate is used as a solvent and electrolyte additive in lithium-ion batteries to improve their performance and efficiency.
The ethylene carbonate market analysis explains that the global market has risen to the electric vehicle by looking into customer demand. As customer demand increases day by day, the market needs to improve their productions and sales across all regions. It can be a challenging task for the ethylene carbonate market.
Another important trend in the ethylene carbonate market is the increasing focus on sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are implementing stringent regulations to reduce carbon emissions and promote the use of environmentally friendly products. As a result, there is a growing demand for bio-based ethylene carbonate derived from renewable sources such as biomass and waste materials. Manufacturers are investing in research and development activities to develop bio-based ethylene carbonate that offers similar performance characteristics as its petroleum-based counterpart.
Furthermore, the ethylene carbonate market is witnessing technological advancements aimed at improving the production processes and reducing manufacturing costs. Innovations in catalysts, process technologies, and purification techniques are enabling manufacturers to enhance the efficiency of ethylene carbonate production and achieve higher yields. Additionally, advancements in green chemistry are leading to the development of more sustainable and energy-efficient manufacturing processes for ethylene carbonate.
On the other hand, the ethylene carbonate market is also facing challenges such as volatility in raw material prices and supply chain disruptions. Ethylene carbonate is primarily derived from ethylene oxide, which is obtained from petroleum-based feedstocks. Fluctuations in crude oil prices and supply-demand dynamics in the petrochemical industry can impact the cost of raw materials for ethylene carbonate production. Moreover, geopolitical tensions and trade disputes can disrupt the supply chain, leading to supply shortages and price fluctuations in the ethylene carbonate market.
In terms of regional trends, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the ethylene carbonate market due to the presence of major manufacturing hubs, increasing industrialization, and growing demand from end-use industries such as automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India are witnessing rapid growth in the production and consumption of ethylene carbonate driven by the expansion of the electronics and automotive sectors.
Ethylene Carbonate Market Size was valued at USD 0.56 billion in 2023. The Ethylene Carbonate industry is projected to grow from USD 0.61 Billion in 2024 to USD 1.23 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.21% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).
Although ethylene carbonate does not naturally occur in colour, it has a solid look that is somewhat yellowish and has a distinct smell. Ethylene carbonate boiling point is higher and it is more polar, is highly soluble in polymers, and has no odour. Nowadays, ethylene carbonate uses have been increased because it has a low natural level of toxicity. Due to the rising electrolyte production in lithium-ion batteries employing ethylene carbonate, the ethylene carbonate market is in great demand. Electric vehicles are also widely used these days because they are simple to maintain, economical, fuel efficient, and have lower fuel expenses.
However, protective rules that limit CO2 emissions in the environment have been established by the US Environmental Protection Agency and EU environmental standards, encouraging the need for ethylene carbonate manufacturing. The development of ethylene carbonate products is a great way for the industry's major companies to expand their businesses.
Ethylene Carbonate Market Trends
The transportation industry currently relies heavily on oil as a fuel, which has raised worries among economists and environmentalists alike. Batteries have becoming more common in cars as people become more aware of the benefits of using sustainable energy sources. The International Energy Agency reports that there are now over 10 million electric vehicles on the road. Electric vehicle sales are also increasing year over year. The demand for ethylene carbonate is anticipated to increase significantly throughout the projection period since it serves as the polar solvent for the electrolytes used in these lithium-ion batteries.
In 2022, solid form dominated the world market. This is due to their increasing use in a variety of applications, including lubricants, ethylene carbonate solvents, plasticizers, and chemical intermediates. In order to serve end-use industries including the automotive, medical, chemical, and industrial, EC in solid form is frequently used in these applications. Cosmetics, medications, and soldering fluxes all contain solid ethylene carbonate as an ingredient. Additionally, it is employed as a solvent in the oil and gas sector to assist in reducing viscosity during high temperature or extreme pressure drilling operations where other fluids are too thin to work properly.
Additionally, lubricants and polymers employ liquid ethylene carbonate. The manufacturing of high-density polymers that can withstand impact and chemical deterioration uses this product extensively. Depending on the needs, substances like diethyl carbonate, ethene oxide, and propylene oxide can be combined with liquid EC to create specific materials. Additionally, liquid ethylene carbonate is employed in the production of the electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. These elements are anticipated to increase demand for liquid ethylene carbonate.
March 2024
At the Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna event, which will take place on March 21 in Bologna, Italy, the South Korean company LG Chem Ltd. has stated that it would present an environmentally friendly plastic substance that is created from polyethylene carbonate (PEC).
Across the World, Cosmoprof More than three thousand firms that specialize in materials, packaging, original development manufacturing (ODM), and brands are present at Bologna, which is widely recognized as the greatest expo in the beauty industry. These companies are displaying the most recent innovations and trends in the sector.
LG Chem will showcase its cosmetic containers that are constructed from polyethylene carbonate (PEC) at the Ecozone exhibit of its partner, Cosmax, which is a prominent cosmetics company in South Korea.
PEC, or polyethylene carbonate, is a pioneering environmentally friendly plastic that is made from ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide that is recovered from industrial emissions.
Figure 2: ETHYLENE CARBONATE MARKET, BY FORM, 2022 & 2030 (USD BILLION)Ethylene Carbonate Regional Insights
In 2022, Asia Pacific had a dominant share in the market. This is due to elements including a robust industrial base, supportive governmental regulations, and the availability of low labour costs that motivate important players to invest in the area. Along with producing EV lithium-ion batteries, the region also leads the world in the manufacture of lithium-ion battery electrolytes. The market is being driven by such reasons.
Due to the existence of huge firms in the chemical and automotive industries, North America is regarded as one of the primary product markets. Over the past ten years, North America has seen a steady increase in car utilization. The need for ethylene carbonate is growing as a result. Additionally, the U.S. market experienced strong demand for EV vehicles during the first quarter of 2022, which is anticipated to benefit the industry.
In September 2021, KPX Chemical, a producer of polyurethanes in Korea, and Huntsman Corporation, a chemical manufacturer in The Woodlands, have formed a joint venture called KPX Huntsman Polyurethanes Automotive Co. The joint venture will operate a specialist polyurethane production facility at KPX Chemical's Ulsan project, which will supply polyurethane to Korean automakers.
In June 2021, Huntsman Corporation, announced the production capacity expansion of Texas's current ethylene carbonate by mid-2023.
Figure 2: ETHYLENE CARBONATE MARKET, BY REGION, 2022 & 2030 (USD BILLION)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
The market rivalry is heavily influenced by a number of variables, including the needs of various industries, geographic location, market leaders and major participants, as well as the skills and production capacities of these organizations. To increase their market share, manufacturers are concentrating on expanding their product lines while also leaning towards sustainable production.
OUCC
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Zibo Donghai Industries Co., Ltd
ALFA AESAR
BASF SE Huntsman International LLC
Merck KGaA
New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd
Shandong Senjie Cleantech Co., Ltd
PANAX ETEC
Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd
In February 2022: Lotte Chemical announced the building of a new factory in Daesan, South Korea, for the production of high-purity organic solvents like ethylene carbonate, which are used in electric vehicle batteries as part of its USD 502 million investment in the sustainable speciality materials industry.
In May 2021: Lotte Chemical, a significant chemical firm with headquarters in South Korea, said that it would produce electrolyte organic solvents at high-purity ethylene oxide facilities in order to manufacture ingredients for electric vehicle batteries. Over 30% of electrolytes are made up of organic solvents; imports are heavily reliant on this region. The firm said that the board has approved spending 210 billion won, or USD 185 million, to develop a facility that will manufacture organic solvents used in electrolytes such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate by the second half of 2023. Lithium ions are helped by organic solvents to move between the cathode and anode with ease.
In August 2023: Covestro AG announced that it is developing a new process for producing ethylene carbonate from renewable ethylene. The new process is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene carbonate production by up to 70%. Covestro expects to start commercial production of ethylene carbonate using the new process in 2025.
Ethylene Carbonate Form Outlook
Solid
Liquid
Ethylene Carbonate Application Outlook
Lithium Battery Electrolytes
Lubricants
Plasticizers
Surface Coatings
Chemical Intermediates
Fiber Processing Agents Dyes
Others
Ethylene Carbonate End Use Industry Outlook
Automotive
Oil & Gas
Textile
Chemical
Medical
Personal Care & Hygiene
Agriculture
Others
Ethylene Carbonate Regional Outlook
North America
US
Canada
Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Spain
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
Australia
South Korea
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Rest of the World
Middle East
Africa
Latin America
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