Middle East & Africa Petrochemicals Market Forecast to 2031 - Regional Analysis - by Type, Application, and End-use Industry

The Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market was valued at US$ 21.15 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 27.97 billion by 2031; it is estimated to record a CAGR of 3.6% from 2023 to 2031.

Development of Biodegradable Petrochemical-Based Products Bolsters Middle East & Africa Petrochemicals Market

Government regulations and policies are key factors leading to the development and adoption of biodegradable petrochemical-based products. Governments of many countries implement bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, incentivizing businesses to switch to biodegradable alternatives. Policies such as extended producer responsibility and plastic taxes further encourage the transition toward making it economically advantageous to adopt sustainable materials. Rising consumer awareness about environmental issues significantly boosts the demand for biodegradable petroleum-derived products. The modification in the existing petrochemical building blocks can potentially make them susceptible to breakdown in certain environmental conditions. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate and polycaprolactone are a few examples of polymers containing both biodegradable monomers derived from petrochemicals and bio-based constituents. Many scientists are focused on research pertaining to achieving the optimal balance between biodegradability and desired material properties such as durability and strength. Thus, the development of biodegradable petrochemical-based products is expected to be a significant trend for the petrochemical market over the coming years.

Middle East & Africa Petrochemicals Market Overview

In the Middle East & Africa, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are witnessing a massive requirement for petrochemicals due to the growing demand for buildings and facilities from the residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. The demand for new residential projects has augmented due to a migration surge from rural to urban areas. Further, the rising population is boosting the construction of residential areas. For instance, as per the United Nations Report on Urbanization and Migration in Africa, there continues to be considerable growth in the urban population across the region (from ~27% in 1950 to 40% in 2015); it is anticipated to reach 60% by 2050. As more people move to urban areas, there is a parallel surge in construction activities to accommodate the expanding population. Petrochemical-based products are used to provide efficient insulation, sealing, and filling solutions for building and infrastructure projects. Further, the automotive industry has increased vehicle production and sales, which is pivotal in driving demand for petrochemicals in the Middle East & Africa. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Middle East & Africa is projected to have 90 million vehicles on the road by 2040, which is up from 59 million in 2018. The expanding automotive industry is projected to surge the demand for lightweight, durable, and versatile materials for various applications within vehicles. Petrochemical-based products are used in components such as seat backs, seat belt components, handles, dashboard components, door liners, pillar trim, and instrument panels.

Middle East & Africa Petrochemicals Market Segmentation

The Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market is segmented based on type, application, end-use industry, and country. Based on type, the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market is segmented into ethylene, benzene, propylene, xylene, and others. The ethylene segment held the largest market share in 2023.

In terms of application, the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market is segmented into polymers, paints and coatings, solvent, rubber, adhesives, surfactants, and others. The polymers segment held the largest market share in 2023.

By end-use industry, the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market is categorized into packaging, automotive, construction, electrical & electronics, healthcare, agriculture, aerospace & defense, and others. The packaging segment held the largest market share in 2023.

Based on country, the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market is segmented into South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Rest of Middle East & Africa. The Rest of Middle East & Africa dominated the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market share in 2023.

Shell Plc, LyondellBasell Industries NV, Saudi Basic Industries Corp, BASF SE, Dow Inc, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp, and Exxon Mobil Corp are some of the leading players operating in the Middle East & Africa petrochemicals market.

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