The tight phenol market in 2010 led to a wave of new integrated cumene/phenol/acetone facilities that are now coming on-stream in Northeast Asia. Unfortunately the new capacity is starting up just as global demand has softened causing operating rates to sag. The supply contraction has caused acetone, which was once a nuisance by-product, to become the main contributor to phenol/acetone facility margins. Acetone supply has become tight, which has allowed acetone prices to rise above propylene.
Changes in regional economics have also shifted trade flows of cumene, phenol and acetone, exposing those who were over-reliant on the export markets. The growth in polycarbonate demand in Asia will ultimately absorb the excess phenol capacity, but it will take time and additional phenol capacity is preparing to startup in 2014. As a result, the industry will face some difficult decisions in the coming years.
Cumene, Phenol & Acetone examines historical trends and long term projections for supply/demand, production, capacity, and trade of the global cumene, phenol & acetone industry over a 16-year period (five-year history, base year, ten-year forecast).
Included with the Analysis - Cumene, Phenol & Acetone is 12-month’s access to Chemical’s online capacity and supply/demand databases, with updates to the capacity database as they occur and one update to the supply/demand database.
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