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.

Analysis and forecast of global supply/demand and capacity for LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene including year-end 2007 data.

Various approaches for biomass gasification are assessed including pyrolysis, staged gasification, and indirect gasification. Associated issues such as biomass availability and downstream syngas-based technologies, such as fermentation, mixed alcohols synthesis and FT syntheses are presented. A case study comparing the production economics of n-butanol via biomass gasification versus conventional propylene oxo synthesis is given.

Analysis of the profitability of the Asian refining and petrochemical industry for the first quarter of 2008