The economics of using competing feedstocks for VCM manufacture are elucidated.  Coal-based acetylene in China, ethanol-based ethylene in Brazil, E/P-based ethylene in the U.S. and naphtha-based ethylene in Western Europe for VCM production are compared.

The chemistry, process technology and production economics for six different routes to “green” propylene are presented.  Feedstocks for the various approaches include ethanol, biobutanol, biomass, and vegetable oil.  Regional supply/demand forecasts for propylene are also provided.

The chemistry, process technology and production economics for sulfuric acid manufacture are presented. The historical development of various process routes are reviewed and a detailed description of the modern double absorption contact process is presented. Regional supply/demand balances out to 2013 are given.

The chemistry, process technologies and production economics for methanol manufacture are assessed and compared. Syngas production and methanol synthesis routes are reviewed for several licensors. Regional production cost estimates are provided as well as capacity and regional supply/demand balances.