The chemistry, commercial and developing process technologies, and production economics for butadiene, isobutylene, n-butenes are presented. In addition, supply/demand forecasts for the U.S., Western Europe, and Asia Pacific are provided.
Regional round-up of industry developments, regional pricing analysis and capacity expansions are provided for Q2 2010. In addition, the global recovery and current state of key olefins and polyolefins markets are examined.
The Methanol QBU report provides an analysis of key developments in the methanol industry, including a capacity update and profitability & pricing developments over the past quarter.
The Ammonia and Urea QBU report provides an analysis of key developments in the ammonia and urea industry, including capacity updates and profitability and pricing developments over the past quarter.
Technology and cost of production estimates to convert biomass into acetyls at commercial scale capacities based on both fermentation and thermochemical (gasification) platforms is reviewed. Acetyl integration opportunities and economics of acetic anhydride, VAM, and ethyl/butyl acetates produced via traditional petrochemical routes are compared to the potential "green" routes.
Cost estimates for crude and glacial products have been developed for the commercial propylene oxidation process and for emerging processes via fermentation of glucose to 3HP, oxidation of (glycerol-derived) acrolein, catalytic conversion of (ethylene oxide derived) ß-propiolactone, and via the historical acetylene based (Reppe) process.