The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) technologies. Renewable MEG is a drop-in chemical that has received some attention in recent years as the major fraction of global production of MEG goes into PET, which is used to produce polyester fibers and beverage bottles. The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing ethylene glycol from renewable feedstocks.

PET process technologies and production economics are presented. Process descriptions for PET production are provided for licensed technologies along with production estimates for USGC, Western Europe and China. Demand by end use, capacity and supply/demand/trade data is provided for global and regional markets. 

This techno-economic report offers a review of the options available to refiners and ship owners to conform to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) global sulfur specification that will take effect in 2020.  Refiners must consider continuing current HSFO production, new fuel oil blending options, installing residue desulfurization technology to produce LSFO or installing residue upgrading technology to reduce HSFO production.  Ship owners must comply by purchasing more expensive compliant fuels, installing exhaust gas scrubbing units on their ships or switching to an alternative fuel that is inherently low sulfur.  The report also provides economics for these options in various regions under a consistent first quarter 2017 price scenario and includes an analysis of the global bunker fuels market.

Definition of the techno-economic models used in the Quarterly Business Analysis reports in 2017.