High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Analysis: Plant Capacity, Production, Process, Technology, Operating Efficiency, Demand & Supply, End-Use, Grade, Foreign Trade, Sales Channel, Regional Demand, Company Share, Manufacturing Process, 2015-2035

ABC Group leveraged BASF’s joining technology expertise to optimize the infrared (IR) welding parameters for this part. It was crucial to achieve strong weld lines to ensure the long-term durability of the duct. “After conducting numerous resin trials through molding, welding and rigorous validation testing, we were able to meet the significant demands on this application,” said Mary Anne Bueschkens, CEO of ABC Group. “The part requires many weld connections. Our engineers worked closely with BASF’s material and joining experts to understand the unique requirements, allowing us to fine-tune our IR welding technology, and assuring success of the welding process for this demanding high-temperature duct.”

About Magneti Marelli Magneti Marelli designs and produces advanced systems and components for the automotive industry. With 86 production units, 12 R&D centres in 19 countries, approximately 43,000 employees and a turnover of 7.9 billion Euro in 2016, the group supplies all the major car makers in Europe, North and South America and the Far East. The business areas include Electronic Systems, Illumination, Powertrain, Suspension and Shock Absorbing Systems, Exhaust Systems, Aftermarket Parts & Services, Plastic Components and Modules, Motorsport. Magneti Marelli is part of FCA.

About ABC Group Inc. Founded in 1974, ABC Group Incorporation is one of the world’s leading, full-service automotive suppliers of thermoplastic components and systems to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Our global headquarters is in Toronto, Canada, with 36 domestic and international locations across Canada, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Poland, Japan and China. For further information about ABC Group Inc., please visit www.abcgroupinc.com.

Hot-side turbo duct by ABC Group made of Ultramid® Endure D5G3 BM BASF collaborated with the automotive supplier ABC Group, Canada, to develop the hot-side turbo duct for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. For this application, ABC Group decided on BASF’s Ultramid® Endure D5G3 BM, a 15 percent glass fiber reinforced blow molding grade, which has a high hose strength and shows good swelling.

This trend is anticipated to persist amid the ongoing conflict, creating a scenario where the availability of US exports is expected to decline in the short term. Consequently, European buyers express concerns about the security of their supply chains, a sentiment likely to persist until the culmination of the first half of 2024.

The upheaval caused by the conflict in the Red Sea has disrupted polyethylene shipments from the Middle East. In response to this disruption, US exporters have seized the opportunity to capitalize on the altered market dynamics, enabling them to gain a more significant market share.

With BASF’s design, material and processing expertise, Magneti Marelli could achieve the required burst strength and durability for the assembly. “BASF’s technical support was useful for us to ensure the application met the burst requirements,” said Marcello Colli, Product Manager Throttle Bodies at Magneti Marelli. “BASF’s welding experience enabled us to apply this heat-resistant material and meet long-term durability targets.”

Corbetta,/Italy, Toronto/Canada, and Ludwigshafen/Germany, May 9, 2017. BASF is introducing its heat-resistant polyamide Ultramid® Endure in two new powertrain applications on the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia: the air intake manifold with integrated charge air cooler and the hot-side turbo duct. As heat under the hood increases, Ultramid® Endure with its high heat-aging resistance up to 220°C enables automakers to achieve engine downsizing and turbocharging without sacrificing performance. The Ultramid® Endure grades offer good processability, excellent weld line strength and are available globally.

Air intake manifold with integrated charge air cooler by Magneti Marelli made of Ultramid® Endure D3G7 BASF worked with Magneti Marelli, a business of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), to develop the air intake manifold with integrated charge air cooler for the Alfa Romeo Giulia. The need for a material to withstand a 200°C continuous use temperature made this air intake manifold a prime candidate for Ultramid® Endure D3G7, a 35 percent glass fiber injection molding grade. The air intake manifold also required an excellent burst pressure performance; therefore, Magneti Marelli needed a material that offered reliable weld strength at elevated temperatures.

The Ultramid® Endure grades are suitable for many powertrain applications of the turbocharged system including air intake manifolds, charge-air ducts, resonators, intercooler end caps and throttle bodies. They can achieve long-term service temperatures of 220°C, and withstand peak temperatures of 240°C. The notable heat aging behavior results from an innovative stabilization system by BASF, which greatly reduces oxygen attack on the polymer surface.

Polyethylene imports from the United States to Europe experienced a substantial uptick in the fourth quarter of 2023, registering an increase of approximately 24% when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. As 2023 drew to a close, the estimated consumption of polyethylene, excluding exports to Belarus and Kazakhstan, amounted to 3,109.15 thousand tons. This figure represents a substantial growth of 25% compared to the same period in the preceding year. Notably, there was an increase in supplies of both high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from Russian producers.

In the span of four months since the initiation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Red Sea and Suez Canal region, a discernible shift has occurred in the supply dynamics of polyethylene (PE). European, Turkish, and North African buyers have reportedly shown an increasing preference for American PE. US traders and distributors are noting a surge in consumer demand originating from across the Atlantic Ocean in the early months of 2024. Export data sourced from the US International Trade Commission reveals a notable uptick in shipments of polyethylene to various North African countries since the conclusion of the fourth quarter of 2023. The upheaval caused by the conflict in the Red Sea has disrupted polyethylene shipments from the Middle East. In response to this disruption, US exporters have seized the opportunity to capitalize on the altered market dynamics, enabling them to gain a more significant market share. This trend is anticipated to persist amid the ongoing conflict, creating a scenario where the availability of US exports is expected to decline in the short term. Consequently, European buyers express concerns about the security of their supply chains, a sentiment likely to persist until the culmination of the first half of 2024. Sources in the industry point out that prices in the United States are particularly competitive within the region, especially for linear grades of low-density polyethylene and injection molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Noteworthy statistics indicate that monthly HDPE export volumes reached their highest point in 2023 for countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, and Poland in December. Tunisia, during the same month, experienced the second-highest HDPE export volumes in a year. Furthermore, Egypt received HDPE cargoes from the United States in December, marking the first occurrence since April. The low-density polyethylene (LDPE) market also witnessed substantial activity. LDPE exports to Egypt reached their peak in November 2023. Additionally, LDPE outflows to Tunisia in December marked the second-highest volume in a year. The fourth quarter of 2023 saw continuous growth in LDPE exports to Tunisia, culminating in a noteworthy development where LDPE shipments from the United States to Egypt took place in December for the first time since August of the same year. Polyethylene imports from the United States to Europe experienced a substantial uptick in the fourth quarter of 2023, registering an increase of approximately 24% when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. As 2023 drew to a close, the estimated consumption of polyethylene, excluding exports to Belarus and Kazakhstan, amounted to 3,109.15 thousand tons. This figure represents a substantial growth of 25% compared to the same period in the preceding year. Notably, there was an increase in supplies of both high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from Russian producers.

Sources in the industry point out that prices in the United States are particularly competitive within the region, especially for linear grades of low-density polyethylene and injection molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Noteworthy statistics indicate that monthly HDPE export volumes reached their highest point in 2023 for countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, and Poland in December. Tunisia, during the same month, experienced the second-highest HDPE export volumes in a year. Furthermore, Egypt received HDPE cargoes from the United States in December, marking the first occurrence since April.

In the span of four months since the initiation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Red Sea and Suez Canal region, a discernible shift has occurred in the supply dynamics of polyethylene (PE). European, Turkish, and North African buyers have reportedly shown an increasing preference for American PE. US traders and distributors are noting a surge in consumer demand originating from across the Atlantic Ocean in the early months of 2024. Export data sourced from the US International Trade Commission reveals a notable uptick in shipments of polyethylene to various North African countries since the conclusion of the fourth quarter of 2023.

About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

The low-density polyethylene (LDPE) market also witnessed substantial activity. LDPE exports to Egypt reached their peak in November 2023. Additionally, LDPE outflows to Tunisia in December marked the second-highest volume in a year. The fourth quarter of 2023 saw continuous growth in LDPE exports to Tunisia, culminating in a noteworthy development where LDPE shipments from the United States to Egypt took place in December for the first time since August of the same year.