Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is a commodity product and used as feedstock in polyester industries and PET bottle industry.
As such, the market for MEG generally moves in line with the polyester industry, especially in China where the need for MEG is the highest in the world. In regards to the derivatives markets such as EA and Fatty alcohol Ethoxylate, They were still sluggish as a result of lower ethylene feedstock prices and increased supply due to some derivatives plants restart the operation after planned shutdown.
Additionally, demand for these products has decreased due to the economic slowdown in Europe and Asia. Green Chemicals Market In general, the global and domestic demand for Methyl Ester tends to be lower than the supply, mostly due to the policies and support from the government.
In Thailand the government mandated to use Biodiesel B4 and B5 only. It affected the Methyl Ester to be steady. In regards to the Fatty alcohols and Glycerine markets in 2012, an improvement was seen since 2011, reflecting the increased consumption for those products, especially seeing growth in the Personal Care and Pharmaceutical industries.
In regards to Specialty Oleochemicals products such as Ozone Acid, Green Polymers, Agro Green, Oilfield Chemicals, Bio-Chemicals and Bio-plastics, these markets are still being affected by the crisis existent in the Eurozone economies as well as in the United States. However, the demand for Green Chemicals is increased significantly.
