Polyethylene Demand Climbs but Market Uncertainty Slows Expansion
Polyethylene remains the largest category within the global ethylene market, with widespread use in consumer packaging, automotive manufacturing, and construction. Low‑density polyethylene (LDPE) demand is projected to grow at a 4.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2030, while high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) is expected to grow at a 3.6% GAGR over the same period. Polyethylene, the world’s most widely produced plastic, remains central to global manufacturing. Yet, despite strong fundamentals and a decade-long expansion forecast, new petrochemical project announcements have slowed. The reason isn’t a lack of demand or technical capacity. It’s constrained capital.
