Abstract
Global production and consumption of ethylene glycol in 2007 was almost 18 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 90% in 2007; this was a slight increase from 2006 due to a larger increase in consumption than capacity. Global ethylene glycol consumption is estimated to have increased by 7.4% in 2007, and is expected to increase by 4.5% per year from 2007 to 2012, declining to 3.6% per year from 2012 to 2017. As a result of considerable capacity additions, average global utilization rates are expected to decline to the high-70s range by 2010, gradually increasing after 2011.
PET melt accounted for 84% of total ethylene glycol consumption in 2007, followed by antifreeze uses with 9% of total consumption and other miscellaneous uses.
