Ethylene Oxide Price | Current and Forecast
Monitor Ethylene Oxide Prices Worldwide
Plans Starting at $299 USD /year
See monthly Ethylene Oxide prices in 5 locations: United States, Europe, China. Also check Ethylene Oxide price history since 2007 and forecasts. The chart below is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices - subscribe now and gain access to current prices of 237 commodities, including Ethylene Oxide.
Data Legend. The Ethylene Oxide price chart shows the prices in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 3 locations, as follows:
- US: Ethylene Oxide, United States, contract, fob, formula
- EUR: Ethylene Oxide, Europe, transaction, fob, Germany
- CN: Ethylene Oxide, China, spot, exw
Data Use. Ethylene Oxide prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 237 commodities worldwide. To better understand data provided by Intratec Primary Commodity Prices, check the following documents: Price Assessment Basis , Commodities Specifications , Methodology , User Guide , and Glossary .
Intratec Primary Commodity Prices
Track global current prices of 237 commodities including Ethylene Oxide
Current Monthly Prices
Price History & Forecasts
Prices in Multiple Locations
Download Data
Plans Starting at $299 USD /year
Price Dynamics. The Ethylene Oxide price in United States increased during November 2018 to 1,170 USD per metric ton, which represents a slight rise of 2% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, Ethylene Oxide prices in United States decreased significantly by 9%. Meanwhile, in Germany, the average price of Ethylene Oxide amounted to 1,360 USD per metric ton, from 1,270 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the Ethylene Oxide price in Germany is 0.7% lower than the price one month before.
The price of Ethylene Oxide in China declined considerably throughout November 2018, reaching 1,340 USD per metric ton. The price in China is 11% lower than the average price in the previous month and 16% lower than the average price one year before.
About Ethylene Oxide. Ethylene Oxide (a.k.a. Oxirane , Epoxyethane) is the simplest cyclic ether. It is one of the most versatile chemical intermediates, converted into a range of products. It is considered an extremely hazardous compound since it can explode and is both highly flammable and reactive. Also, ethylene oxide is a confirmed carcinogen. Currently, Ethylene Oxide is produced primarily by direct oxidation processes, based on the catalytic oxidation of ethylene with oxygen over a silver-based catalyst. The so-called direct oxidation processes are divided into two categories, according to the oxidizing agent source: in the oxygen-based process, high purity oxygen is used, while in the air-based process, either air or air enriched with oxygen is directly employed.
Ethylene Oxide is considered an extremely hazardous compound since it can explode and is both highly flammable and reactive. While this chemical attacks most organic materials, equipment in Ethylene Oxide service must be made of carbon steel and stainless steel. Ethylene Oxide must be stored under pressurized inert gas, in such a way that the vapor space is kept in a nonexplosive region to prevent the decomposition of Ethylene Oxide vapors. Transportation of Ethylene Oxide is made in compressed gas cylinders with capacities of 100 L, 1A1 steel drums that carry up to 200 L, and insulated tank cars equipped with pressure-release valves, with capacities of up to 40 m3.
Ethylene Oxide production was initially based on chlorohydrin process, where ethylene reacts with hypochlorous acid and the resulting chlorohydrin is dehydrochlorinated with lime, yielding ethylene oxide and calcium chloride. Nowadays this chemical is primarily produced via the more efficient direct oxidation of ethylene, which may be air-based or oxygen-based. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Ethylene Oxide are listed below.
- Ethylene (direct oxidation process, silver-based catalyst),
- Ethylene + hypochlorous acid (chlorohydrin process, coproduced with calcium chloride)
The uses and applications of Ethylene Oxide may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Ethylene Oxide are technical grade and pure grade (99.7 wt % purity).