This report is a comprehensive analysis of the toluene diisocyanate (TDI) industry. The analysis provides cost of production estimates for TDI and its precursor DNT as well as supporting cost estimates for auxiliary technologies. An overview of the carbon intensity of the value chain is presented as well as market estimates and an industry overview are also included to outline the commercial aspect of the industry.Find out more about TDI markets, see Related Reports below for more information.

Carbon fiber is a high-value product whose exceptional properties (lightweight and high strength) make it an increasingly sought-after material. Although carbon fibers can be manufactured from various precursors, over 98 percent of the global supply is currently made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with pitch being the next most common precursor. The cost of production via those two routes for plants located in the United States, Western Europe, Japan and China has been estimated for the first quarter of 2023. NexantECA also provided a high-level analysis of the business and strategic considerations and commented on the technology availability from the perspective of a company entering or expanding into the carbon fiber market. Global carbon fiber and carbon nanotube capacities are also detailed.

This report covers the techno-economics of the industrial graphite electrode sector, a key enabling technology for the steel and aluminum industries as well as for a large variety of high temperature processes. Industrial graphite electrodes are vital for the decarbonization of the steel industry and critical for aluminum smelting, but are facing short-term pressures from the rapid retreat from coal in Chinese steel and competition for synthetic graphite from the battery sector. Technology and economics for major production processes for functional graphite electrodes are covered and used to support a strategic overview of the sector.

Isoprene derivatives include polyisoprene, styrene block copolymers (SIS and SEPS), and butyl rubber (IIR). The halogenated butyl rubbers – notably bromobutyl rubber - is more commonly used in tires as the material vulcanizes faster than IIR itself.