Ethylene Glycol butyl Ether (EB) Series: China’s export share to Asia surged markedly in 2026

In 2026, amid Middle East geopolitical disruptions, Sadara of Saudi Arabia — operator of the world's largest ethylene glycol butyl ether (EB) facility — declared force majeure on shipments, and its plant remained shut down for an extended period. Lotte and Oriental Union Chemical (OUCC) saw their operating rates decline due to reduced feedstock supply and rising production costs, while PETRONAS extended a planned turnaround. As a result, a global supply gap emerged in ethylene glycol butyl ether series products, and China's exports of these products posted strong growth. From January to September 2026, China's total exports of ethylene glycol butyl ether series products reached 33,500 tonnes, up 52.05% year on year. Asia was the largest destination region, with exports to Asia rising 258.14% year on year over the same period — an increase of about 11,100 tonnes — with notable gains in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and India. By contrast, the Americas' share of China's export market fell from 50% in 2025 to 28% in 2026, owing to long shipping distances and low export unit prices.

From January to September 2026, Asia, the Americas and Europe were the largest destination regions for China's ethylene glycol butyl ether series products, together accounting for nearly 90% of the total. Asia moved up from second place last year to first this year. The main reasons were that PETRONAS's plant turnaround ran longer than expected and Saudi supply could not be shipped out normally through the Strait of Hormuz, which prompted some Asian countries — most notably Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan — to turn to the Chinese market for supply.