This report provides a comparison of the cost of producing representative polyolefins from several different olefins sources with the aim of showing the costs of alternative sources of ethylene and propylene compare with mainstream, conventional costs.

This PERP provides an overview of shale gas resources outside the United States and their potential impact on the petrochemical industry. It highlights worldwide occurrence, reservoir characteristics, along with environmental and downstream-related concerns. The report also examines the prospective impact of shale gas on ethylene and HDPE production economics for selected countries and a gas market assessment, including Nexant's shale gas production forecast.

Commercial and developing technologies for MEG production from petroleum, coal and biomass feedstocks have been reviewed. Process economics for MEG via ethylene from ethane, naphtha, methanol and ethanol have been developed. Regional supply/demand is included.

Commercial and developing technologies for bisphenol A (BPA) production have been reviewed. Process economics for the technologies using ion exchange resin and hydrochloric acid (HCl) catalysts have been developed on a multi-regional basis. Regional supply/demand is included.