What is Ethylene Oxide Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Glycol Demand
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What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published month (2026-07) — Sentiment: Neutral
The most recent published customs observation for HS 291010 is 2026-07 at USD 1,447.40/ton, -17.1% against the previous month and +12.8% against 2025-08.
Reported volume across the fixed 5-economy panel was 254,709 tonnes over the window, 21,226 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +12.6%. The heading-level series is volatile: the largest month-on-month move in the window was +26.8% between 2026-03 and 2026-04, when reported value moved +17.8% and reported tonnage moved -7.1%, so that move reflects the mix and size of shipments filed under this heading rather than a single quoted price.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 291010. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
Key Market Impact
Customs unit values for this heading are the single most checkable price signal available without a subscription: they combine the product mix actually crossing borders, the average contract level behind those shipments and freight-relevant volume. Treat them as the trade-weighted baseline for the heading, and read the coverage note above before applying them to a single grade.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade public trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-11-06
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-08 to 2026-07)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 291010 moved from USD 1,283.07/ton in 2025-08 to USD 1,447.40/ton in 2026-07 (+12.8% across the window). The window high was USD 1,797.65/ton in 2026-05 and the low USD 1,267.24/ton in 2025-11. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +12.6% against the previous one, which is classified here as neutral. The heading-level series is volatile: the largest month-on-month move in the window was +26.8% between 2026-03 and 2026-04, when reported value moved +17.8% and reported tonnage moved -7.1%, so that move reflects the mix and size of shipments filed under this heading rather than a single quoted price.
The same panel reported USD 367.3 million of export value on 254,709 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 21,226 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
The EU side of the same heading gives a volume check rather than a price: Eurostat Comext records EU27 imports of HS 291010 from outside the EU at 7 tonnes in 2026-08 and 74 tonnes over the twelve months to 2026-08. Monthly consignments at that size are too small for a unit value to mean anything, so no EU import price is published here.
2026-08 is deliberately not in the series: of the 5 economies that make up this page's fixed panel, 4 had filed both value and net weight for this heading when the page was rebuilt on 2026-11-06 (the heading drew 9 filers in total that month); neither 2026-09 nor 2026-10 drew a single filing for this heading. Splicing a partly-filed month onto a fixed panel would move the unit value through composition alone, so the window stays at 2026-07 until the whole panel for 2026-08 has reported.
HS 291010 carries oxirane (ethylene oxide) together with the other three-membered-ring epoxides, so the heading is wider than ethylene oxide alone; it does not separate sterilisation grade from glycol grade, and propylene oxide sits in its own heading (291020) outside this series.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 5 economies: DEU (276), MYS (458), NLD (528), IND (699), USA (842). The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,267.24 to USD 1,797.65/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-07: USD 1,447.40/ton, -17.1% against the previous month, on 21,231 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- Ethylene oxide demand runs mainly to monoethylene glycol and higher glycols, to ethoxylates and surfactants, and to ethanolamines, with sterilisation and medical-device use taking the balance, so offtake follows glycol and surfactant plant operating rates and the price of the ethylene behind it.
- Related market pages on this site: Ethylene (the direct feedstock), Polyether Polyol (the alkoxylation outlet that consumes EO), Propylene Oxide (the sister epoxide in a separate heading), Polyethylene (the other large outlet competing for the same ethylene molecule).
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page.
Need the supplier landscape, contract structure or a delivered-cost build-up behind this heading? Request a sample report or a custom cut.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Propylene Oxide (PO) | In polyol and polyurethane foam applications, propylene oxide can substitute for ethylene oxide as an alkoxylation agent. PO-based polyether polyols are used where softer, more hydrophobic polyurethane products are desired. PO cannot fully replace EO in ethoxylation of surfactants where hydrophilicity is required, but in flexible foam and CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) applications it is a direct functional alternative. Requires reformulation of polyol recipes. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) | In sterilization and disinfection applications (medical devices, food packaging, pharmaceutical equipment), vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) is increasingly used as a drop-in replacement for ethylene oxide sterilization. VHP leaves no toxic residues and has a shorter aeration cycle. It is suitable for heat-sensitive devices and is preferred where EO's carcinogenicity and regulatory burden are prohibitive. Not applicable for chemical synthesis uses of EO. |
| Peracetic Acid (PAA) | As a sterilant and antimicrobial agent, peracetic acid substitutes for ethylene oxide in sterilization of medical instruments, endoscopes, and food-contact surfaces. It is used as an aqueous solution or vapor and is effective at low temperatures. It is a partial substitute — suitable for liquid-compatible devices but not for dry sterilization of packaged goods where EO gas penetration is required. |
| Chlorohydrin Process Intermediates (e.g., Ethylene Chlorohydrin) | Historically, ethylene chlorohydrin was the precursor route to ethylene glycol and other EO derivatives before direct oxidation became dominant. In niche or small-scale synthesis contexts, chlorohydrin chemistry can substitute for EO-based routes to produce glycols and amino alcohols, though this route generates chlorinated waste streams and is largely obsolete at industrial scale due to environmental and cost disadvantages. |
| Butylene Oxide / Higher Epoxides | In specialty surfactant and lubricant formulations, butylene oxide (1,2-epoxybutane) or mixed alkylene oxides can partially replace ethylene oxide to tune hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB), cloud point, and viscosity of ethoxylated products. This is a partial, application-specific substitution requiring reformulation; it does not replace EO in MEG or ethanolamine production. |
| Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) — direct purchase | For end-users who require MEG (e.g., polyester fiber/PET resin producers, antifreeze formulators), purchasing MEG directly from integrated EO/EG producers substitutes for on-site EO handling and reaction. This is a downstream product substitution that eliminates the need to handle hazardous EO, applicable when the user's process only requires the glycol derivative rather than EO itself. |
| Gamma Irradiation / E-beam Sterilization | In medical device sterilization, gamma irradiation and electron-beam (e-beam) processing are established alternatives to ethylene oxide. They are preferred for devices that can tolerate ionizing radiation and where EO residue limits, long aeration times, or regulatory carcinogenicity concerns are driving substitution. These are physical rather than chemical processes and require capital investment in irradiation facilities; they are not applicable to EO's chemical synthesis role. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
- Ethylene
- Propylene Oxide
- Ethylene Dichloride
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyethylene — the other large outlet competing for the same ethylene molecule.
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2024 | 92% reduction in EtO emissions from commercial sterilization facilities; requires permanent total enclosure (PTE) and additional controls on chamber exhaust and aeration room vents for major sources using >=1 ton EtO/year; compliance via performance testing or parametric monitoring | https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/ethylene-oxide-emissions-standards-sterilization-facilities |
| US | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2026 (proposed) | Rescind 2024 risk-based standards; revise aeration room vents standards; revise compliance demonstration; rescind permanent total enclosure (PTE) requirement; comments due May 15, 2026 | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/17/2026-05167/national-emission-standards-for-hazardous-air-pollutants-ethylene-oxide-emissions-standards-for |
| US | Ethylene Oxide (Carcinogen) Standard | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | 1984 (no update) | 1 ppm (0.5 ppm action level) as 8-hour TWA; short-term excursion limit 5 ppm (15-min); reduce exposure to lowest feasible concentration; applies to workplaces with airborne EtO >=0.5 ppm | https://osha.gov/chemicaldata/575 |
| Global | UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations | United Nations | Latest (current edition) | UN 1040; packing group not applicable; hazard class 2.3 toxic + 2.1 flammable; IMDG EmS F-D, S-U; passenger aircraft forbidden | Safety Data Sheets (e.g., BASF, Balchem, Airgas) |
| EU | Registration under REACH | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2007 (ongoing) | Registration required for substances >=1 tonne/year; no SVHC Candidate List inclusion or specific toxicity restriction on EtO | https://chem.echa.europa.eu/obligation-lists/candidateList |
| US (chemical manufacturing) | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources (with deferred EtO controls) | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2026 (final rule) | Updated air toxics standards for 251 facilities; 33 facilities emitting EtO continue without specific emission limits (deferred) | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/01/2026-06304/national-emission-standards-for-hazardous-air-pollutants-chemical-manufacturing-area-sources |
Key Influence Events
Ethylene oxide (EO), also known as oxirane, is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature (boiling point 10.7°C) with a faintly sweet odor. Its molecular formula is C2H4O and it is the simplest epoxide. Ethylene oxide is one of the most important petrochemical intermediates in the world, produced in volumes exceeding 20 million metric tons per year globally. It is highly reactive due to the strained three-membered ring structure, making it a versatile building block for a wide range of derivatives. Its primary industrial uses are as a precursor to ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol, MEG), ethoxylates, ethanolamines, glycol ethers, and polyethylene glycols. It is also used directly as a sterilant for medical devices and spices due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Ethylene oxide is acutely toxic, a known human carcinogen, and a reproductive hazard, requiring stringent handling and containment measures.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Ethylene Oxide Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Glycol Demand
Ethylene oxide (EO), also known as oxirane, is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature (boiling point 10.7°C) with a faintly sweet odor. Its molecular formula is C2H4O and it is the simplest epoxide. Ethylene oxide is one of the most important petrochemical intermediates in the world, produced in volumes exceeding 20 million metric tons per year globally. It is highly reactive due to the strained three-membered ring structure, making it a versatile building block for a wide range of derivatives. Its primary industrial uses are as a precursor to ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol, MEG), ethoxylates, ethanolamines, glycol ethers, and polyethylene glycols. It is also used directly as a sterilant for medical devices and spices due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Ethylene oxide is acutely toxic, a known human carcinogen, and a reproductive hazard, requiring stringent handling and containment measures.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Note |
|---|
Data Sources
Price and volume figures are derived from the directly verified public sources below. The customs unit values are USD/ton and are not subscription price assessments. Grade-level specifications are not restated here: confirm them with the supplier. Every monthly endpoint used for the series on this page is listed below, together with the EU cross-check, the exchange rate used to express it in dollars and the HS classification reference.
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202508&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202509&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202510&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202511&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202512&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202601&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202602&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202603&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202604&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202605&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202606&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=291010&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/comext/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/DS-045409?format=JSON&freq=M&reporter=EU27_2020&partner=EXT_EU27_2020&flow=1&indicators=VALUE_IN_EUROS&indicators=QUANTITY_IN_100KG&product=291010&sinceTimePeriod=2025-08
- https://data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/data/EXR/M.USD.EUR.SP00.A?format=csvdata&startPeriod=2025-08&endPeriod=2026-10
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/files/v1/app/reference/HS.json
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