Ethylene Price — China Factory EXW 2026

Ethylene price Spec: N/A

China EXW, VAT excluded

Newest China EXW USD 1,238.26 / MT · VAT excluded +0.2832 (0.02%) as of 20261023

Newest Price 1,238.26

Price Date 20261023

Day's Change +0.28

Day's Range 1,238.26 - 1,238.54

Month's Change -5.29

Month's Range 1,238.26 - 1,232.96

Year's Change +437.85

Year's Range 1,238.26 - 800.41

The 1:7 multiplier effect explains why governments prioritize ethylene self-sufficiency. But note the trade angle: ethylene itself is rarely traded globally—only about 2 million t...

Also known as ethylene refrigerated liquid, Ethylene, compressed., Ethylene,Ethene, Ethylene,high purity

Opinions

Why is ethylene production capacity considered a key indicator of a country's petrochemical industry level?

The 1:7 multiplier effect explains why governments prioritize ethylene self-sufficiency. But note the trade angle: ethylene itself is rarely traded globally—only about 2 million tons annually, mostly via Japanese trading houses. What matters more is the downstream derivative trade, where China's export pricing now sets regional benchmarks.

What are the emerging alternative production routes for ethylene beyond traditional steam cracking?

Don't overestimate near-term disruption. The CO2-to-ethylene route faces enormous scale-up challenges, and direct syngas-to-olefins still awaits industrial demonstration. The most commercially relevant near-term shift is feedstock flexibility—US ethane, Middle East associated gas, and China's coal chemistry all undercut traditional naphtha economics, which is what's driving the current wave of Asian cracker closures.

How is China's ethylene capacity expansion reshaping global petrochemical trade flows and regional pricing?

The feedstock advantage is structural, not cyclical. China's integrated coastal refineries optimize molecules across fuel and chemical production, while older Asian crackers face permanent cost disadvantages. Expect more capacity rationalization in Japan, Korea, and Singapore as Chinese exports continue displacing Middle Eastern material in South and Southeast Asia.

People Also Watch

Benzene

Last Price 1379.9115

%Change +0%

Sulfuric acid

Last Price 214.1947

%Change +0.02%

Methyl alcohol

Last Price 427.8407

%Change +1.64%

Styrene

Last Price 1483.3451

%Change +2%

Hydrogen peroxide

Last Price 137.4956

%Change -0.1%

Propylene

Last Price 1392.6991

%Change +2%

Ethylene price context

What drives Ethylene prices

Why is ethylene production capacity considered a key indicator of a country's petrochemical industry level?: The 1:7 multiplier effect explains why governments prioritize ethylene self-sufficiency. But note the trade angle: ethylene itself is rarely traded globally—on...

What are the emerging alternative production routes for ethylene beyond traditional steam cracking?: Don't overestimate near-term disruption. The CO2-to-ethylene route faces enormous scale-up challenges, and direct syngas-to-olefins still awaits industrial demo...

How we assess Ethylene price

China factory / mainstream market EXW quotes (VAT excluded where shown) - not a single global public index

Regional and specification detail so buyers can compare like-for-like grades

Landed cost figures from our calculator are planning estimates, not a customs ruling

Overview

Ethylene (C₂H₄, CAS 74-85-1) is a colourless, flammable gas with a sweet odour, melting at −169°C and boiling at −104°C. Known as the "mother of the petrochemical industry," it is the world's most produced organic compound and a fundamental building block for countless chemicals and polymers.

Industrial: feedstock for polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, PVC, styrene, and vinyl acetate.
Polymers & plastics: monomer for HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, and other polyolefins.
Chemical intermediates: precursor to solvents, surfactants, plasticisers, and synthetic rubbers.
Pharmaceuticals & agrochemicals: used in synthesis of various fine chemicals and intermediates.

China has become the world's largest ethylene producer, with capacity exceeding that of the United States. Domestic production is dominated by naphtha cracking (about 60%), followed by ethane and coal-based routes. The industry is undergoing structural adjustment, with older, less competitive units being phased out while new integrated refining and chemical complexes come online.

Key domestic producers:
Satellite Chemical – operates large-scale ethane cracking units in Lianyungang.
Sinopec – major naphtha-based ethylene producer with multiple integrated sites.
PetroChina – significant ethylene capacity through refining-chemical integration.

Properties

Name

Ethylene

ethylene refrigerated liquid

Ethylene, compressed.

Ethylene,Ethene

Ethylene,high purity

CAS Number

74-85-1

EINECS No.

200-815-3

Risk Codes

S9;S16;S33;S46;S45

Safety Description

R12;R67

HS Code

29012100

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

ChemPriceHub

Ethylene price Spec: N/A

Recent market notes

Weekly Outlook for the Styrene Market

Styrene Market Morning Update