Polyethylene, polypropylene, and propylene are set to lead the upcoming petrochemical project starts in the Middle East by 2030, driven by the availability of abundant, low‑cost hydrocarbon feedstock such as natural gas, growing urbanisation and industrialisation, and government policies for economic diversification. Furthermore, escalating demand for these petrochemical commodities from end‑use sectors such as packaging, consumer, and construction will also drive the petrochemical project activity in the region.
Polyethylene is expected to be at the forefront in terms of the petrochemical project starts in the Middle East, with 29 projects scheduled to come online during the 2025-2030 outlook period. Most of these projects will be new-builds, with only two projects being expansions. Iran is set to lead the region’s project starts, accounting for about 70% of the upcoming polyethylene projects by 2030 - all new-builds and mostly under construction. The United Arab Emirates is expected to follow, with four projects, all being under construction.
Polypropylene follows, with 22 project starts - 21 new-builds and an expansion during the outlook period. Iran once again leads, representing nearly three-fourths of the upcoming polypropylene project starts during the outlook period. Of these, 14 are under construction while one is in the commissioning stage, making these more likely to be operational by 2030.
Propylene is also likely to witness 22 project starts - 20 new-build and two expansion projects by 2030. Iran leads in terms of the project starts with 14 projects, followed by Saudi Arabia (five) and Turkey (three), respectively. In Iran, 13 projects are currently under construction while Saudi Arabia and Turkey have three and a project under construction, respectively. Further details of petrochemical projects expected to come online from 2025 to 2030 can be found in leading data and analytics company GlobalData’s new report, Petrochemicals New-Build and Expansion Projects Outlook by Key Commodities, Region and Development Stage to 2030.
