This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the technology, economics, and markets for the processing of the C4 hydrocarbon chain, which includes butadiene, isobutylene, butenes, and butanes. Commercial and developing process technologies are discussed. Cost of production estimates have been developed to illustrate the cost competitiveness of butadiene, isobutylene, and butene-1 production in the USGC, China, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe. A market overview of the C4 chain is provided, along with demand by end-use, capacity, and supply/demand/trade data for Global, North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific.

This report discusses the process technologies and production economics for acrylonitrile which is commercially produced by propylene ammoxidation. Production economics for the United States, Western Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China are assessed and regional market analyses are also presented.

This report comments on the motivations behind the recent maleic anhydride (MAN) capacity additions and provides a high-level analysis of the business and strategic considerations as well as the technology availability from the perspective of a company entering or expanding into this market. As over 70 percent of the global capacity and all the announced capacity additions are/will be based on the n-butane route, the cost of production via this route for plants located in the United States, Western Europe, the Middle East, and China has been estimated for the first quarter of 2020.  This analysis is underpinned by a review of end-use sector consumption as well as regional market dynamics.

This report discusses the process technologies and production economics for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) which is commercially produced by the oxidation of para-xylene with air followed by purification and recovery/recycle of catalysts and solvents.  Production economics for the United States, Middle East, and China are assessed and regional market analyses are also presented.