The following is an overview of global steam cracker feedstock demand between 2024 and 2050.

Long-Term Outlook

Manager, Downstream

Aditya Banerjee

Consultant, Refining & Hydrogen

Sarfaraz Hussain

Petrochemicals 

With the global petrochemical industry expanding, steam cracker capacity is set to rise significantly by 2050, driving increased demand for key feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, and LPG. This article provides an in-depth assessment of steam cracker feedstock demand growth, regional trends, and evolving feedstock preferences.
We explore how Asia, North America, the Middle East, and other regions are adapting to shifting supply dynamics and investment patterns. The discussion highlights:
<ul>
<li>
Global steam cracker feedstock demand: Projected growth in feedstock consumption, trade flow changes, and the role of different feedstocks.
</li>
<li>
Regional breakdown: How major regions&mdash;including Africa, Asia, CIS, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America&mdash;are evolving regarding steam cracker capacity and feedstock usage.
</li>
<li>
Feedstock mix evolution: The shift in feedstock preferences, including the growing prominence of ethane and LPG in some regions and the continued dominance of naphtha in others.
</li>
</ul>
This article analyzes these factors to provide insights into how the global steam cracker market is shaping up for the future.
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Petrochemical Steam Cracker Feedstock Demand 2025

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><a style="mso-comment-reference: AB_2; mso-comment-date: 20250305T1438; mso-comment-parent: 1; mso-comment-done: yes;"></a><a style="mso-comment-reference: AB_1; mso-comment-date: 20250305T1423; mso-comment-done: yes;">Introduction</a></h2>
As global steam cracker capacity expands to meet rising petrochemical demand, the need for key feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, and LPG is also increasing. This assessment examines the projected growth in steam cracker feedstock demand through 2050, highlighting regional trends and shifts in feedstock preferences and their impact on global trade flows. The assessment also explores how different regions&mdash;Asia, North America, the Middle East, and others&mdash;are adapting to changing supply dynamics and investment patterns, shaping the future of the petrochemical industry.

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Global Steam Cracker Feedstock Demand<o:p></o:p></h2>
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Source: Stratas Advisors
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Global steam cracker capacity is witnessing significant growth, driven by expanding petrochemical demand and increasing investments in new and upgraded facilities. The total steam cracker capacity is expected to rise from 232 MMTPA in 2024 to 342 MMTPA by 2050. This expansion is particularly prominent in Asia, the Middle East, and North America, where large-scale projects add substantial ethylene and propylene production capacity. The increasing shift toward integrated refinery-petrochemical complexes and crude-to-chemicals initiatives further supports this trend.
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As steam cracker capacity grows, demand for feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, and LPG is rising globally. In regions like the U.S. and the Middle East, abundant ethane availability supports ethylene production, while Asia and Europe continue to rely more on naphtha due to their refining infrastructure. This increasing demand for feedstocks is influencing global trade flows, with more naphtha exported to Asia and stronger competition for advantaged ethane and LPG supplies.
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<o:p></o:p>Note: Steam Cracker capacity reflects ethylene capacity; ethylene output varies based on the type of feedstock&nbsp;
Source: Stratas Advisors
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In 2024, naphtha dominated the global steam cracker feedstock usage, accounting for nearly 65% of the total feedstock demand of 581 MMTPA. Ethane and propane are also significant, with volumes of 99 MMTPA (17%) and 68 MMTPA (12%), respectively. Butane and gasoil each contributed nearly 9 MMTPA (1.5%), while other feedstocks, including residue oil, bio-based Naphtha, etc.,&nbsp;made up 27 MMTPA (5%) of the total.
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By 2050, the overall volume of feedstocks used by steam crackers is expected to almost double and reach 924 MMTPA. Naphtha will still be the predominant feedstock, with its volume rising to 603 MMTPA and its share slightly increasing to 65%. Ethane and propane will also see substantial volume increases to 142 MMTPA and 102 MMTPA. Butane's volume will more than double to 18 MMTPA. Gasoil's volume will slightly increase to 9 MMTPA, but its share will drop to 1%. Other feedstocks will see a significant rise in volume to 51 MMTPA, increasing their share to 6%.
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While naphtha will continue to be the primary feedstock for steam crackers, the volumes of ethane, propane, and other feedstocks will significantly increase by 2050.
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Asia remains the largest consumer of steam cracker feedstocks, accounting for 56% of global demand in 2024, which will remain consistent till 2050. The Middle East shows the most dramatic growth, increasing from 61 MMTPA to 148 MMTPA, driven by rising naphtha and propane consumption. While seeing moderate growth, North America strongly relies on ethane, growing from 84 MMTPA to 101 MMTPA. Europe&rsquo;s feedstock demand remains stable but loses global share from 13% in 2024 to 8% in 2050, reflecting stagnating capacity.
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<h2>Regional steam cracker capacities &amp; feedstock demand&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Africa</h2>
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Africa's steam cracker capacity is expected to expand from 2.4 MMTPA in 2024 to 8.4 MMTPA by 2050, increasing its global share from 1% to 3%. This growth drives a steep rise in total feedstock demand from 8 to 31 MMTPA. The region currently relies on ethane (25%), propane (24%), and Naphtha (51%), but by 2050, naphtha will dominate at 85%, signalling a shift towards liquid feedstocks as ethane availability remains limited.
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<h2>Asia</h2>
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Asia leads the global steam cracker market, with the capacity to increase from 93 MMTPA (40% share) in 2024 to 149 MMTPA (45%) in 2050. Correspondingly, the total feedstock demand will rise sharply from 322 to 516 MMTPA. The region relies heavily on naphtha (82% in 2024), which will remain dominant until 2050. Ethane usage will increase but remain minor, rising from 2% to 4% by 2050, while propane demand will decline from 8% to 6%, reflecting a continued dependence on liquid feedstocks.
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<h2>CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)</h2>
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CIS steam cracker capacity will double from 7 to 17 MMTPA, raising feedstock demand from 16 to 37 MMTPA. The region's reliance on propane (37% in 2024) will persist till 2050, while butane usage will grow significantly from 7% to 21%, potentially driven by increased regional LPG availability. Naphtha's share will drop from 47% to 34%, showing a diversification in feedstock use.
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<h2>Europe</h2>
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Europe's steam cracker capacity remains stagnant mainly between 2024 and 2050, leading to a slight increase in feedstock demand from 75.3 to 76.4 MMTPA. Naphtha remains the primary feedstock, but its share will decline from 77% to 74%. Ethane usage will increase from 8% to 11%, reflecting more imports, while propane demand will grow modestly from 3% to 5%. Overall, Europe's feedstock mix remains relatively stable.
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<h2>Latin America</h2>
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Latin America's steam cracker capacity remains unchanged at 9 MMTPA, keeping feedstock demand stable at ~14.6 MMTPA. The region will continue to rely heavily on naphtha (59%), with ethane usage remaining almost stagnant at 40%. Unlike other areas, no significant shifts in the feedstock mix are anticipated, suggesting limited new investments or changes in supply chains.
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<h2>Middle East</h2>
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The Middle East is experiencing a significant expansion in steam cracker capacity, from 38 MMTPA in 2024 to 59 MMTPA by 2050. This leads to a dramatic increase in total feedstock demand from 60 to 148 MMTPA. Ethane, currently dominant at 56%, will drop to 30%, while naphtha's share will surge from 14% to 31%, indicating a shift towards mixed-feed cracking. Propane usage will also increase significantly from 14 to 28 MMTPA, reflecting growing LPG production. The emergence of "Other" feedstocks (3% to 17%) suggests alternative feedstock usage such as bio-based Naphtha.
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<h2>North America</h2>
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North America's steam cracker capacity grows moderately from 52 MMTPA to 63 MMTPA, with total feedstock demand rising from 83 to 101 MMTPA. Ethane remains dominant, increasing its share from 53% to 57%, reflecting continued access to abundant shale gas resources. Propane (22% to 21%) and naphtha (20% to 18%) remain essential, but the region will remain heavily ethane-focused.
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As global steam cracker capacity expands to meet rising petrochemical demand, the need for key feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, and LPG is also increasing. This assessment examines the projected growth in steam cracker feedstock demand through 2050, highlighting regional trends and shifts in feedstock preferences and their impact on global trade flows. The assessment also explores how different regions&mdash;Asia, North America, the Middle East, and others&mdash;are adapting to changing supply dynamics and investment patterns, shaping the future of the petrochemical industry.
Global steam cracker capacity is witnessing significant growth, driven by expanding petrochemical demand and increasing investments in new and upgraded facilities. The total steam cracker capacity is expected to rise from 232 MMTPA in 2024 to 342 MMTPA by 2050. This expansion is particularly prominent in Asia, the Middle East, and North America, where large-scale projects add substantial ethylene and propylene production capacity. The increasing shift toward integrated refinery-petrochemical complexes and crude-to-chemicals initiatives further supports this trend.<o:p></o:p>
As steam cracker capacity grows, demand for feedstocks such as naphtha, ethane, and LPG is rising globally. In regions like the U.S. and the Middle East, abundant ethane availability supports ethylene production, while Asia and Europe continue to rely more on naphtha due to their refining infrastructure. This increasing demand for feedstocks is influencing global trade flows, with more naphtha exported to Asia and stronger competition for advantaged ethane and LPG supplies.
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