Regional round-up of industry developments, regional pricing analysis and capacity expansions are provided for the first quarter, 2007. In addition, a discussion of the Brazilian polyolefin industry is included.
New and emerging process technologies for manufacturing octene-1 “on-purpose” are described and their economics compared. In addition to Sasol’s current octene-1 extraction process, Sasol’s developing heptene-1 based route and ethylene tetramerization process are examined. Dow’s developing butadiene telomerization approach is also investigated. Regional octene-1 supply/demand forecasts are provided as well.
Acetylene production technologies are assessed and their production economics compared. Processes included in this report are natural gas based partial oxidation, coal based calcium carbide route, LPG-fed electric arc process and steam cracker by-product. An overview of acetylene supply and demand is also given.
The technology and production economics for thermoplastic wood composites are presented for this growing area. Polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC based composites are assessed. In addition, a market outlook for N. America, W. Europe and China is presented.