Major European Ethylene & Derivatives Imports
Track Europe's growing reliance on ethylene imports and understand the trade flows supporting demand across the region.
Europe's ethylene market has become increasingly reliant on imports. Ethylene imports have risen from 450kt in 2017 to surpass 1mn t in 2025, with imports likely to increase further in 2026. The US, supported by low-cost ethane-based production, has become the major source of these volumes.
While direct ethylene imports have increased by 129pc, contained ethylene imports through polyethylene (PE), monoethylene glycol (MEG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and styrene have remained largely stable at around 5mn t. Imports reached 5.4mn t in 2025, the highest point in the period analysed. As derivative rationalisation has occurred and derivative exports have reduced, imported derivatives are playing an increasingly important role in meeting demand across the European market.
Download the map to:
- Track the major sources of ethylene imports into Europe
- Identify the key trade flows for PE, MEG, PVC and styrene
- Compare growth in direct ethylene imports with contained ethylene imports
- Understand the role of US ethane-based production in supplying European markets
- Assess how derivative rationalisation is changing Europe's import requirements
- Visualise the trade flows helping balance regional supply and demand
Further insight is available through Argus Ethylene Analytics, which provides detailed analysis of ethylene market balances, capacities, trade flows and supply-demand fundamentals, supported by a 10-year forecast and five-year history across global ethylene and derivative markets.