Asia set to spearhead global polyethylene capacity additions by 2028

Global polyethylene capacity is poised to see considerable growth over the next four years, potentially increasing from 141.29 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2023 to 198.27mtpa in 2028, registering a total growth of 40.3%. Globally, 133 planned and announced polyethylene projects are expected to come online by 2028 predominantly in Asia followed by the Middle East.

Asia is expected to add a capacity of 26.86mtpa from 68 new build, planned and announced projects. As for capacity expansions, the region is expected to add a capacity of 0.16mtpa from one planned project.

Within Asia, majority of polyethylene capacity additions are from upcoming projects in China and India, with a total capacity of 16.34mtpa and 5.12mtpa respectively. In China, the highest capacity addition is from a planned project, ‘SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Zhangzhou Polyethylene Plant 2’. It is expected to commence operations in 2026 with a capacity of 0.60mtpa. Within India, a major capacity addition is from ‘Haldia Petrochemicals Balasore Polyethylene Plant’, with a capacity of 1.08mtpa. It is expected to come on stream in 2028.