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Global LDPE demand is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 2%-3% during 2022–27. Mainland China will continue to lead world demand for LDPE. Film and sheet applications continue be the largest end-use segment, accounting for 70% of global LDPE demand in 2027. Mainland China is short domestically, and the market for LDPE imports will continue to grow. Therefore, global trade in the next five years will be affected primarily by increased exports from North America and growing self-sufficiency in mainland China. The Middle East will continue to export large volumes during the forecast period.

The global polyethylene (PE) industry can be characterized mainly by a wave of capacity additions in North America, the Middle East and mainland China (primarily coal-based). The shift toward lighter and cost-advantaged feedstock in North America is incentivizing production in the region. The competition in the international market has increased, adding pressure to the high-cost producers, especially in Western Europe. With the drop in oil prices in late 2014, the cost advantages enjoyed by natural gas–based producers declined but were not totally eliminated. Thus, North American capacity and production increases in the coming years will result in increased exports from the region. Mainland China is expected to benefit from local production, although its rapid demand growth will continue to depend on imported low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resins. LDPE accounted for 22% of total polyethylene demand in 2022 (LDPE and LLDPE together accounted for 56% of total polyethylene demand).

Over the past few years, we have seen a number of growing supply chain pressures. Starting of course with the COVID-19 pandemic wherein suddenly not only were crucial products running out quickly due to increased demand, but there were also a number of shortages just due to the nature of the crisis. Indeed, it has continued through 2023 notably due to exacerbations related to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine with some statistics showing that up to 80% of companies experienced at least one disruption. This is equally the case in the United States.

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S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polyethylene Resins, Low-Density (LDPE) has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade and economics.

As a direct result, there has been a growing interest in adopting local, flexible manufacturing. Which is why more and more manufacturers are turning to additive manufacturing (AM) to create quality, cost-efficient products faster. One notable example is plastic thermoforming companies like Duo Form who have discovered how to leverage large-format extrusion 3D printing using low-cost plastic pellets to gain a competitive edge. They are producing medium-to-large-sized thermoforming molds in less than half the time, and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional mold-making methods.

Dave Rheinheimer has 40 years of experience in thermoforming, working in all aspects of the industry including sales, production, product design, operations management, mold shop management and more. Throughout his career, Dave’s focus has been on improving designs and processing of thermoformed tooling and parts. Dave started his own thermoforming company, Majestic Formed Plastics, which was acquired by Duo Form in 2009. Dave currently leads the development of new products and improved products at Duo Form.

Bradley Mount is a 25-year veteran of additive manufacturing, including multiple plastic and metal AM solutions. Brad, as a technology sales and operations executive, has worked with hundreds of companies, enabling their successful adoption of additive manufacturing to address specific business, engineering, and manufacturing challenges. He now leads 3D Systems – Titan business development as Global Director.

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Nino Pecina is a robotics programmer and CAD engineer at Duo Form with 10 years of experience in the thermoforming industry. With three years of experience working with 3D printers and five years in tool and mold making, Nino currently operates the Titan pellet extrusion 3D printer at Duo Form to 3D print large molds and other parts as part of Duo Form’s manufacturing process.

Clay Guillory is a mechanical engineer with extensive experience in additive manufacturing, pellet extrusion 3D printing and CNC machining. Clay founded Titan Robotics in 2014, specializing in large-format 3D printer manufacturing and launching the Titan pellet extrusion and hybrid additive and subtractive systems. After the acquisition of Titan Robotics by 3D Systems in April 2022, Clay now leads the Titan branch of 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group, expanding and developing new solutions for production additive manufacturing for industrial customers.

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To learn more about this, join the next SPE live webinar “Reduce Costs And Lead Times For Large Thermoforming Molds With Ext Titan Pellet 3D Printers” on 3D printing large production molds for thermoforming with experts from 3D Systems and Duo Form on October 24 at 9:00 AM-10:00 AM EDT. Attendees will be able to learn more about how Duo Form has integrated AM into their manufacturing process, gaining agility by 3D printing production molds, tools and representative samples for thermoforming and vacuum forming.

S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polyethylene Resins, Low-Density (LDPE) is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including