Ethylene is the raw material used in the manufacture of polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene as well as fibres and other organic chemicals. These products are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer markets such as the packaging, transportation and construction industries. 
Future demand for ethylene is forecast to grow at an average of 4.3%/year but capacity will increase by a higher 5.3%/year in the 2006-2011 period. This substantial increase in ethylene capacity, primarily in the Middle East and Asia, starting in the second half of 2008 through to 2010 will push operating rates down and impact profitability.
Ethylene is produced commercially by the steam cracking of a wide range of hydrocarbon feedstocks. In Europe and Asia, ethylene is obtained mainly from cracking naphtha, gasoil and condensates. The cracking of ethane and propane is primarily carried out in the US, Canada and the Middle East.
Ethylene is a colourless, odourless, extremely flammable compressed gas with a faintly pleasant odour. Ethylene presents a dangerous fire and explosion hazard.
Ethylene
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Ethylene
Uses and Outlook
Ethylene is the raw material used in the manufacture of polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene as well as fibres and other organic chemicals. These products are used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer markets such as the packaging, transportation and construction industries.
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Ethylene
Process Technologies
Ethylene is produced commercially by the steam cracking of a wide range of hydrocarbon feedstocks. In Europe and Asia, ethylene is obtained mainly from cracking naphtha, gasoil and condensates with the coproduction of propylene, C4 olefins and aromatics (pyrolysis gasoline). The cracking of ethane and propane, primarily carried out in the US, Canada and the Middle East, has the advantage that it only produces ethylene and propylene, making the plants cheaper to construct and less complicated to operate.
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