Ethylene Oxide price April 2024 and outlook (see chart below)
- North America:US$1.22/KG, unchanged
- Europe:US$1.24/KG, -0.8% down
- Northeast Asia:US$0.96/KG, 1.1% up
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Ethylene Oxide price index
This post is a summary of the ethylene oxide price developments. The price developments of ethylene oxide are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Ethylene oxide price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.
The outlook for ethylene oxide prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:
- Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of ethylene oxide prices
- Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of ethylene oxide
- Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of ethylene oxide prices
- Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the ethylene oxide market
- Longer term trends in likely demand conditions
Further information on the Ethylene Oxide price index
What is Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide is a chemical compound that is a colorless and flammable gas at room temperature. It has a sweet, ether-like odor and is highly reactive. Ethylene oxide is used as a raw material in the production of a wide range of chemicals, including ethylene glycol, which is used as an antifreeze and coolant, and ethylene glycol ethers, which are used as solvents and in the production of plastics and other products.
Ethylene oxide is also used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and other products that must be kept free of bacteria and other microorganisms. It is highly effective at killing microorganisms, but it can also be toxic to humans if inhaled or ingested in large amounts.
In addition to its use in the chemical industry, ethylene oxide is also used as a fumigant to control pests in agricultural products and as a gas for inflating car and airplane tires. It is also used in the production of detergents, surfactants, and other cleaning agents.
How is Ethylene oxide produced
There are several different methods that can be used to produce ethylene oxide, including:
Direct oxidation of ethylene
In this process, ethylene is reacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst to produce ethylene oxide. The reaction typically takes place at high temperatures and pressures.
Ethylene chlorohydrin process
In this process, ethylene is reacted with chlorine and water to produce ethylene chlorohydrin, which is then hydrolyzed to produce ethylene oxide.
Ethylene oxide-ethylene process
In this process, ethylene oxide is produced by the partial oxidation of ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction takes place at high temperatures and pressures and produces a mixture of ethylene oxide and ethylene. The ethylene oxide is then separated from the ethylene by distillation.
The specific method used to produce ethylene oxide will depend on the availability of raw materials and the desired purity of the final product.
What is Ethylene oxide used for
Ethylene oxide is a versatile chemical that has a number of industrial uses, including:
Production of chemicals
Ethylene oxide is used as a raw material in the production of a wide range of chemicals, including ethylene glycol, which is used as an antifreeze and coolant, and ethylene glycol ethers, which are used as solvents and in the production of plastics and other products.
Sterilization
Ethylene oxide is used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and other products that must be kept free of bacteria and other microorganisms. It is highly effective at killing microorganisms, but it can also be toxic to humans if inhaled or ingested in large amounts.
Fumigation
Ethylene oxide is used as a fumigant to control pests in agricultural products such as grains, nuts, and spices.
Tire inflation
Ethylene oxide is used as a gas for inflating car and airplane tires.
Detergents and surfactants
Ethylene oxide is used in the production of detergents, surfactants, and other cleaning agents.
Ethylene oxide has a number of important properties that make it useful in these and other applications. It is a highly reactive chemical that can be easily transformed into a variety of other chemicals, and it has a low boiling point, which makes it easy to handle and transport.
What types of Ethylene oxide are there
Ethylene oxide is a chemical compound that exists in a single form. It is a colorless and flammable gas at room temperature and has a sweet, ether-like odor. There are no different types of ethylene oxide, but it can be produced in different grades or purities depending on the intended use. For example, medical-grade ethylene oxide is typically more pure than industrial-grade ethylene oxide.
Ethylene oxide can also be transformed into a variety of other chemicals through chemical reactions, including ethylene glycol, which is used as an antifreeze and coolant, and ethylene glycol ethers, which are used as solvents and in the production of plastics and other products. These chemicals may have different properties and uses depending on their specific structure and chemical properties.
How big is the Ethylene oxide market
The global market for ethylene oxide is quite large and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. According to a market research report from Mordor Intelligence, the global ethylene oxide market was valued at around $41.4 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach a value of $61.5 billion by 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5% during that period.
Ethylene oxide is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including as a raw material in the production of chemicals such as ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol ethers, as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment, and as a fumigant to control pests in agricultural products. The demand for ethylene oxide is driven by a number of factors, including population growth, economic development, and the increasing use of chemicals and other products that require ethylene oxide as a raw material.
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for ethylene oxide, accounting for more than half of global demand. China is the largest producer and consumer of ethylene oxide, followed by the United States and Western Europe.
Further information
- Wikipedia for general, history, production and usage information
- PubChem for chemistry and property information
- Market report (summary info only)
According to https://oec.world/ :
Epoxides, epoxy-alcohols,-phenols,-ethers nes, derivs are the world’s 2746th most traded product.
In 2020, the top exporters of Epoxides, epoxy-alcohols,-phenols,-ethers nes, derivs were China ($144M), Japan ($95.6M), Switzerland ($36.5M), Germany ($27.8M), and Italy ($23.7M).
In 2020, the top importers of Epoxides, epoxy-alcohols,-phenols,-ethers nes, derivs were United States ($143M), China ($66.2M), Germany ($37.5M), Italy ($24M), and Singapore ($23.9M).
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