Epoxyethane (Ethylene Oxide) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the twelfth in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on epoxyethane (ethylene oxide).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.

Uses.  Uses of ethylene oxide include:

Ø  As an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals such as: ethylene glycols; ethylene glycol ethers; ethanol amines; ethoxylates; polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate); and polyurethanes; and

Ø  To sterilize, disinfect, and/or fumigant medical, food, and other items.

Chemicals using ethylene oxide in their production are used to make: construction and building materials; forms; plasticizers; bottles; surfactants; solvents; lubricants; anti-icing materials; anti-freezing materials; engine coolants; heat transfer fluids; cleaning materials; and personal care products.

Prices.  An average 2019 global ethylene oxide price range is estimated to be $1,000 to $1,300 per metric ton (mt).   

Production.  Ethylene oxide is primarily obtained by the oxidation of ethylene in the presence of silver catalyst.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of ethylene oxide is from 28 to 30 million mt.  Using this range (28 to 30 million mt produced) and an average per mt price range of $1,000 to $1,300 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by ethylene oxide in 2019 of $28 to $39 billion (28 to 30 million mt times $1,000 to $1,300 per mt).