Saturated Acyclic Hydrocarbons Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for saturated acyclic hydrocarbons globally, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.7% in consumption and +4.8% in value from 2022 to 2030. It provides insights on key market figures, top consuming countries like Russia and China, as well as trends in production, imports, and exports. The United States emerges as a major player in exports, while Canada shows growth in exports. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive view of the saturated acyclic hydrocarbons market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for saturated acyclic hydrocarbons 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 +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 38M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $39.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Saturated Acyclic Hydrocarbons

In 2022, approx. 31M tons of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons were consumed worldwide; increasing by 17% on the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +82.0% against 2012 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The global saturated acyclic hydrocarbons market size rose notably to $27.1B in 2022, picking up by 10% against 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). In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons consumption was Russia (12M tons), comprising approx. 38% of total volume. Moreover, saturated acyclic hydrocarbons consumption in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (4.5M tons), threefold. The United States (2M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Russia amounted to +10.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: China (+8.2% per year) and the United States (+4.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest saturated acyclic hydrocarbons markets worldwide were Russia ($5.7B), China ($3.5B) and the United States ($1.7B), together comprising 40% of the global market. Japan, India, Spain, the UK, Norway, Finland, Canada, Sweden and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

Among the main consuming countries, Norway, with a CAGR of +48.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons per capita consumption in 2022 were Norway (133 kg per person), Finland (108 kg per person) and Russia (81 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +47.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Saturated Acyclic Hydrocarbons

In 2022, approx. 30M tons of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons were produced worldwide; surging by 12% on 2021. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +86.0% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 15%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, saturated acyclic hydrocarbons production reduced to $21.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $26.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (12M tons), Russia (12M tons) and China (1.3M tons), with a combined 84% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +26.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Saturated Acyclic Hydrocarbons

In 2022, approx. 14M tons of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons were imported worldwide; rising by 18% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, saturated acyclic hydrocarbons imports soared to $8.3B in 2022. Overall, imports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (3.3M tons), distantly followed by Canada (1.8M tons), India (1.7M tons), Mexico (1.4M tons), the United States (1M tons), the UK (0.8M tons) and Norway (0.7M tons) represented the major importers of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons, together creating 78% of total imports. Finland (597K tons), Sweden (553K tons), Poland (236K tons) and Japan (224K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +73.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported saturated acyclic hydrocarbons worldwide, comprising 25% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($996M), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +36.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+27.5% per year) and the United States (+4.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average saturated acyclic hydrocarbons import price stood at $606 per ton in 2022, rising by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $1,067 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Japan ($942 per ton), while Mexico ($255 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (-0.4%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Saturated Acyclic Hydrocarbons

In 2022, approx. 13M tons of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons were exported worldwide; picking up by 6.2% compared with 2021. In general, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, saturated acyclic hydrocarbons exports soared to $6.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 83%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The United States prevails in exports structure, amounting to 11M tons, which was approx. 84% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Canada (1M tons), comprising a 7.7% share of total exports. Russia (425K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the saturated acyclic hydrocarbons exports, with a CAGR of +38.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Canada (+7.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Russia (-9.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+68 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Canada and Russia saw its share reduced by -10% and -39.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United States ($4.7B) remains the largest saturated acyclic hydrocarbons supplier worldwide, comprising 69% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($914M), with a 13% share of global exports.

In the United States, saturated acyclic hydrocarbons exports increased at an average annual rate of +25.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (+7.1% per year) and Russia (-11.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average saturated acyclic hydrocarbons export price amounted to $516 per ton, picking up by 18% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $1,054 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Canada ($894 per ton), while the United States ($421 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (-0.6%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform