Search chemicals, polymers & fibres reports

This insight provides a quick snapshot of impact of Hurricane Harvey on the regional polyethylene industry structure. Summary of all the components, starting with ethane availability all the way to converters warehouse, is presented. After evaluating the impact of floods on the entire supply chain, we present our expectations of the timelines and anticipated delays. It is revealed that higher density polyethylene is impacted differently from lower density polyethylene. The impact of co-monomer, peroxide and railcar availability becomes imperative as the polyethylene industry look forward to ramping up its production.

Here we present an overview of the European (EU15 + Norway) ethylene quarterly production statistics from Q1 2010 through Q1 2017. The insight will analyse the trends in the following metrics across the European data set: Quarterly ethylene production trend (total production across all steam crackers in the EU15+Norway category) Quarterly nameplate capacity operating rate trend (total ethylene production / aggregate nameplate capacity for steam crackers in EU15+Norway) Quarterly downed capacity (Summation of planned/unplanned outage activity across all steam crackers in EU15+Norway) Quarterly attainable capacity operating rate trend (total ethylene produced / available capacity, where available capacity is net of downed capacity) The insight will highlight how attainable utilisation reached its highest level in the analysis period.

INEOS has today announced plans to construct a world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit and expand two of its steam crackers in Europe. INEOS currently produces nearly 4.5 million tonnes of ethylene and propylene across Europe, but remains the largest buyer of ethylene and propylene in the region. In combination, these three major projects will significantly increase the quantities of propylene and ethylene produced by INEOS in Europe, and will support the continued growth and future profitability of INEOS’ ethylene and propylene derivative businesses.

Our analysis indicates that 2017 is an important year in terms of increase in European (EU15+Norway) propylene monomer net imports , with net imports forecast to reach 360kt by 2020. This insight will explore the European (EU15+Norway) propylene balance through to 2020, with a particular focus on the net trade of propylene.