Ethylene Polymer Bag Market

The global market for sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene is set to grow steadily over the next eight years, with consumption volumes and market values expected to increase. Russia, China, and the United States are key players in both consumption and production, with significant growth anticipated in imports and exports as well.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 90M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $329.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sacks And Bags Of Polymers Of Ethylene

In 2022, approx. 74M tons of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene were consumed worldwide; increasing by 2.9% on 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

The global ethylene polymer bag market value reduced to $235.1B in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $236.1B in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

Russia (37M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of ethylene polymer bag consumption, comprising approx. 50% of total volume. Moreover, ethylene polymer bag consumption in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (8M tons), fivefold. The United States (3M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4% share.

In Russia, ethylene polymer bag consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+0.5% per year) and the United States (-3.7% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($102.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($23.6B). It was followed by China.

In Russia, the ethylene polymer bag market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+1.2% per year) and China (+1.8% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of ethylene polymer bag per capita consumption was registered in Russia (257 kg per person), followed by Japan (15 kg per person), the United States (9 kg per person) and China (5.7 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of ethylene polymer bag was estimated at 9.5 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the ethylene polymer bag per capita consumption in Russia amounted to +7.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Japan (+2.0% per year) and the United States (-4.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Sacks And Bags Of Polymers Of Ethylene

In 2022, the amount of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene produced worldwide rose to 74M tons, picking up by 2.2% against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ethylene polymer bag production fell to $208.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 23%. Global production peaked at $235.1B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of ethylene polymer bag production was Russia (37M tons), accounting for 50% of total volume. Moreover, ethylene polymer bag production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (9.2M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (3M tons), with a 4% share.

In Russia, ethylene polymer bag production increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+0.4% per year) and India (+5.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Sacks And Bags Of Polymers Of Ethylene

In 2022, global imports of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene expanded to 4.8M tons, with an increase of 4.7% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 8.5%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, ethylene polymer bag imports expanded markedly to $13.9B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (1M tons), distantly followed by Japan (517K tons), Germany (374K tons), the Netherlands (297K tons) and the UK (279K tons) were the largest importers of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene, together achieving 53% of total imports. The following importers - France (199K tons), Australia (177K tons), Canada (141K tons), Belgium (109K tons) and Mexico (98K tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($3.2B) constitutes the largest market for imported sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($1.3B), with a 9.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +5.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+0.2% per year) and Germany (+3.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average ethylene polymer bag import price stood at $2,930 per ton in 2022, rising by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($4,206 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,985 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sacks And Bags Of Polymers Of Ethylene

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene, when their volume decreased by -5.1% to 4.6M tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 4.9M tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, ethylene polymer bag exports expanded markedly to $14.7B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (1.1M tons), distantly followed by Vietnam (458K tons), Germany (281K tons), Thailand (277K tons), Malaysia (229K tons) and Poland (219K tons) were the major exporters of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene, together comprising 56% of total exports. The following exporters - Canada (189K tons), Turkey (188K tons), the United States (155K tons), the Netherlands (132K tons), Italy (110K tons), India (100K tons) and Indonesia (92K tons) - together made up 21% of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene. At the same time, Turkey (+11.5%), Vietnam (+9.8%), India (+9.5%), Poland (+8.6%), the Netherlands (+6.3%), Canada (+4.2%), the United States (+2.2%), Germany (+2.1%), Thailand (+1.5%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012-2022. Malaysia and Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Vietnam (+5 p.p.), Turkey (+2.3 p.p.) and Poland (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China saw its share reduced by -7.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($3.5B) remains the largest ethylene polymer bag supplier worldwide, comprising 23% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($1.1B), with a 7.7% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +3.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+11.1% per year) and Germany (+2.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ethylene polymer bag export price amounted to $3,191 per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($6,163 per ton), while Malaysia ($2,019 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform