Market overview
The global ethylene oxide market is worth USD 39.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 59.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.2% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Ethylene glycol is the largest by derivative segment.
| Scope | Ethylene oxide produced by direct oxidation of ethylene and consumed mainly in ethylene glycol, ethoxylates, glycol ethers, ethanolamines and sterilisation, valued at market prices. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 38.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 39.5 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 59.6 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.2% |
| Volume 2026 | 38,099,010 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 52,044,776 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,037 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Ethylene Oxide market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 39.5 bn |
| 2027 | USD 41.2 bn |
| 2028 | USD 42.9 bn |
| 2029 | USD 44.7 bn |
| 2030 | USD 46.6 bn |
| 2031 | USD 48.5 bn |
| 2032 | USD 50.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 52.7 bn |
| 2034 | USD 54.9 bn |
| 2035 | USD 57.2 bn |
| 2036 | USD 59.6 bn |
Ethylene Oxide market segmentation
By derivative
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene glycol | 64.0% | 61.5% | USD 25.3 bn | 3.8% |
| Ethoxylates and surfactants | 14.0% | 15.5% | USD 5.5 bn | 5.3% |
| Glycol ethers and ethanolamines | 8.0% | 8.1% | USD 3.2 bn | 4.3% |
| Polyether polyols and PEG | 7.0% | 7.8% | USD 2.8 bn | 5.3% |
| Other | 7.0% | 7.1% | USD 2.8 bn | 4.3% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester and packaging | 56.0% | 53.1% | USD 22.1 bn | 3.6% |
| Detergents and personal care | 18.0% | 19.7% | USD 7.1 bn | 5.2% |
| Construction and coatings | 10.0% | 10.4% | USD 4.0 bn | 4.7% |
| Medical sterilisation and other | 16.0% | 16.7% | USD 6.3 bn | 4.7% |
By grade
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial grade | 60.0% | 58.0% | USD 23.7 bn | 3.9% |
| Polymer grade | 30.0% | 30.0% | USD 11.9 bn | 4.2% |
| Sterilant grade | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 4.0 bn | 6.1% |
By production process
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen-based direct oxidation | 70.0% | 72.0% | USD 27.7 bn | 4.5% |
| Air-based direct oxidation | 20.0% | 16.0% | USD 7.9 bn | 1.9% |
| Bio-ethanol route | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 4.0 bn | 6.1% |
By delivery mode
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captive pipeline | 56.0% | 54.0% | USD 22.1 bn | 3.8% |
| Merchant pipeline | 26.0% | 26.0% | USD 10.3 bn | 4.2% |
| Rail and ISO tank | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 7.1 bn | 5.3% |
Top 25 countries for ethylene oxide by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 84.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 96.0%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 13.4 bn | 34.0% | USD 21.3 bn | 4.7% |
| 2 | United States | USD 5.1 bn | 13.0% | USD 6.7 bn | 2.8% |
| 3 | India | USD 3.2 bn | 8.0% | USD 5.8 bn | 6.2% |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | USD 2.8 bn | 7.0% | USD 4.6 bn | 5.2% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 2.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 3.3% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 1.6 bn | 4.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 1.9% |
| 7 | Germany | USD 1.6 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 2.2% |
| 8 | Taiwan | USD 1.4 bn | 3.5% | USD 1.9 bn | 3.3% |
| 9 | Netherlands | USD 1.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 2.7% |
| 10 | Belgium | USD 988 mn | 2.5% | USD 1.3 bn | 2.9% |
| 11 | Thailand | USD 818 mn | 2.1% | USD 1.3 bn | 5.0% |
| 12 | Malaysia | USD 549 mn | 1.4% | USD 918 mn | 5.3% |
| 13 | Singapore | USD 439 mn | 1.1% | USD 698 mn | 4.8% |
| 14 | Spain | USD 371 mn | 0.9% | USD 543 mn | 3.9% |
| 15 | France | USD 328 mn | 0.8% | USD 453 mn | 3.3% |
| 16 | Mexico | USD 292 mn | 0.7% | USD 501 mn | 5.5% |
| 17 | Russia | USD 269 mn | 0.7% | USD 382 mn | 3.6% |
| 18 | Kuwait | USD 249 mn | 0.6% | USD 388 mn | 4.5% |
| 19 | Qatar | USD 233 mn | 0.6% | USD 376 mn | 4.9% |
| 20 | Iran | USD 221 mn | 0.6% | USD 340 mn | 4.4% |
| 21 | Indonesia | USD 209 mn | 0.5% | USD 370 mn | 5.8% |
| 22 | Italy | USD 198 mn | 0.5% | USD 274 mn | 3.3% |
| 23 | Egypt | USD 190 mn | 0.5% | USD 334 mn | 5.8% |
| 24 | Turkey | USD 182 mn | 0.5% | USD 292 mn | 4.9% |
| 25 | Canada | USD 174 mn | 0.4% | USD 256 mn | 4.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.6 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.3 bn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Dow
- Shell
- SABIC
- BASF
- MEGlobal
- Clariant
- Huntsman
- Nippon Shokubai
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- INEOS
- Sinopec
- Reliance Industries
- PetroChina
- Oxiteno
- Petronas Chemicals
- Sibur
- Mitsubishi Chemical
- Equate Petrochemical
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- India Glycols
- Jiangsu Haian Petrochemical
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the ethylene oxide market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.2% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by derivative, by end use, by grade, by production process, by delivery mode. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the ethylene oxide market?
The global ethylene oxide market is estimated at USD 38.0 bn in 2025 and USD 39.5 bn in 2026.
How fast will the ethylene oxide market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 59.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% from 2026, an increase of USD 20.1 bn.
Which country is the largest market for ethylene oxide?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 13.4 bn in 2026, 34.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 55.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 6.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which ethylene oxide segment is largest?
In the by derivative split, Ethylene glycol is the largest segment with 64.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading ethylene oxide companies?
Global leaders include Dow, Shell, SABIC, BASF.
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