The chemistry, process technology and production economics for the emerging hydrogen peroxide-based route to propylene oxide are compared to the conventional POSM, chlorohydrin, and new Sumitomo cumene-based processes. Regional supply/demand forecasts are also provided.

The benefits of integrating petrochemical operations with refining operations are discussed qualitatively and backed up with cost of production analyses where comparisons are made between stand-alone petrochemicals production and refinery integrated cases.

The chemistry, process technology and production economics for n-butanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, isodecanol and 2-propylheptanol are presented. In addition, market forecasts for n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol are provided.

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.