Regional round-up of industry developments, regional pricing analysis and capacity expansions are provided for the first quarter 2008. In addition, an overall outlook on the propylene market and discussion on the implications on price are included.
The chemistry, process technology, and production economics of the polyaramids business are presented. First generation technology, as typified by DuPont, is contrasted to second generation technology, as typified by Teijin (Akzo). Estimated global capacity and supply/demand forecast to 2012 is provided.
The status of the MTBE phaseout in the U.S. and the impact it is having on gasoline formulation is presented. Alternative octane-boosting materials and production technologies are also examined.
The chemistry, process technology, and production economics for alpha olefins are assessed. Processes include full-range (Chevron Phillips, Ineos, Shell, SABIC/Linde, Axens, UOP) and on-purpose butene-1 (Nippon Zeon, Axens), hexene-1 (Chevron Phillips, Sasol, Lummus) and octene-1 (Dow, Sasol). A regional market overview is also included.