Pricing and Markets
June 22, 2021
Tight for a While
http://www.pudaily.com/News/NewsView.aspx?nid=91536
Propylene Oxide is so tight that the usual propylene-polyol or propylene glycol price relationship may have changed for a while . . .
June 22, 2021
Tight for a While
http://www.pudaily.com/News/NewsView.aspx?nid=91536
Propylene Oxide is so tight that the usual propylene-polyol or propylene glycol price relationship may have changed for a while . . .
June 22, 2021
Chinese Propylene Oxide Update
Propylene oxide: from a gap of 467,000 tons to self-sufficiency is just around the corner
Echemi 2021-06-21
1. The current situation of world supply and demand: Asia has the largest production capacity and the highest proportion of consumption
In 2020, the world’s propylene oxide (PO) production capacity will be approximately 11.2 million tons per year, of which Asian production capacity accounts for approximately 45% of the world’s total production capacity, which is the region with the largest production capacity in the world; Western Europe accounts for approximately 24%; North America accounts for approximately 22%.
In 2020, the world’s propylene oxide consumption will be approximately 9.3 million tons. In terms of regions, Asia is the region with the largest consumption of propylene oxide in the world, with an annual consumption of 4.48 million tons, accounting for 48% of the world’s total consumption; consumption in Western Europe is 2.21 million tons, accounting for 24%; consumption in North America The volume is 1.87 million tons, accounting for 20%.
The main application areas of propylene oxide in the world include polyether polyol (PPG), propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and propylene glycol ether, etc. Among them, the largest consumption area is PPG, and there is little difference in consumption structure between regions. In 2020, the consumption of propylene oxide in this field is about 8.4 million tons, accounting for 75%; the consumption of propylene glycol to propylene oxide is about 1.55 million tons, accounting for 13.8%; the consumption of 1,4-butanediol to propylene oxide The volume is about 190,000 tons, accounting for 1.7%; the consumption of propylene oxide in other fields accounts for about 9.5%.
2. The status quo of domestic supply and demand: the gap between domestic supply and demand still exists
2.1. Production technology: traditional technology and advanced technology coexist
There are mainly 5 types of propylene oxide production process technologies, namely the traditional chlorohydrin method and the advanced co-oxidation method (propylene oxide/SM method, propylene oxide/TBA method), cumene oxidation method (CHP propylene oxide method) ), hydrogen peroxide oxidation method (HP propylene oxide method) and O2 direct oxidation method, of which chlorohydrin method and co-oxidation method are currently the most widely used technologies. In 2020, the chlorohydrin method will account for about 50% of the domestic propylene oxide production capacity, and the rest will be the co-oxidation method, HP propylene oxide method and CHP method.
2.2. Manufacturers: Centralized production capacity in East China
In 2020, there will be a total of 19 domestic propylene oxide producers (see Table 2 for details), of which 13 are located in Eastern China, and their production capacity will account for 69.3% of the country’s total production capacity. The province with the largest number of production companies is Shandong Province, with propylene oxide production capacity accounting for 47.2% of the national production capacity.
At present, domestic chlorohydrin propylene oxide production enterprises are mainly located in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. The production cost of chlorohydrin propylene oxide is low, but the pollution problem limits the further development of this technology. Since 2014, Shandong has strictly restricted indicators such as COD discharge of industrial wastewater, and some chlorohydrin companies can only seek to relocate or suspend production.
Among the 4 companies using co-oxidation technology, Zhenli Chemical and CNOOC Shell used propylene oxide/SM technology, and the technologies were from Lyonder and Shell; Yantai Wanhua and Jinling Huntsman used propylene oxide/ MTBE technology, technology comes from Huntsman. Among the enterprises using HP propylene oxide process, Sinopec Changling’s 100,000-ton/year demonstration device is Sinopec’s own technology.
2.3. Consumer sector: Polyether polyol is the largest consumer sector
In 2020, China’s propylene oxide consumption will be about 2.99 million tons. The consumption is mainly concentrated in the fields of polyether polyols, propylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers. Among them, the consumption of polyether polyols accounts for 70%.
2.4. Supply-demand relationship: the gap between supply and demand still exists
In 2020, my country’s propylene oxide production capacity will be 3.29 million tons per year. Affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the average operating rate of the installations will be 77%, and the output will drop by 330,000 tons year-on-year. In the same year, the domestic consumption of propylene oxide was 2.99 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 10%. In 2020, the supply and demand gap of propylene oxide in my country is 467,000 tons. The supply and demand situation of my country’s propylene oxide from 2015 to 2020 is shown in Figure 2.
3. Domestic outlook: Production capacity is steadily increasing, and propylene oxide is expected to become self-sufficient in the future
3.1. Supply forecast: There are more new capacity, mainly HP propylene oxide method and propylene oxide/SM method
According to statistics, there are 24 propylene oxide projects under construction in China, with a total production capacity of approximately 6.15 million tons per year. The projects are mainly distributed in East China, South China and North China. The “Industrial Structure Adjustment Guidance Catalog” (2019) clearly proposes to “eliminate serious environmental pollution chlorohydrin production of propylene oxide technology”, so the proposed projects mainly adopt HP propylene oxide method and propylene oxide/SM method. .
Regardless of the elimination of the existing chlorohydrin process equipment, it is estimated that by 2025, the domestic production capacity of propylene oxide will reach 9.43 million tons per year. See Table 3 for details of my country’s propylene oxide projects under construction.
3.2. Consumption forecast: In the future, domestic consumption will still be dominated by polyether polyols
It is predicted that the domestic consumption of propylene oxide will continue to grow in the future, and the consumption will reach 4.05 million tons by 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3% from 2020 to 2025.
Among the main downstream polyether polyols of propylene oxide, the production of basic soft and rigid foam polyethers is large, and it is expected that the future support for the consumption of propylene oxide will still be relatively large. In order to increase the added value of products, many polyether factories are undergoing structural transformation, increasing the development of high-activity, high-molecular-weight, and high-value-added polyethers. In recent years, the production capacity of POP and high-resilience polyethers has increased significantly, but the consumption of propylene oxide in the short term The amount will still be lower than the base polyether. my country currently has 18 new planned polyether polyol projects with a total production capacity of 2.97 million tons per year. If these projects are successfully put into production, it is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide will reach about 2.8 million tons.
Propylene glycol is mainly used to produce unsaturated resins. In 2020, affected by the global epidemic, consumption in this field has dropped by 6.7% year-on-year. It is expected that consumption will gradually recover in the next 5 years. It is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide in this field It will be around 450,000 tons.
Propylene glycol ether is the third largest consumption area of propylene oxide. It is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide in this area will be around 220,000 tons.
Propylene oxide accounts for a small proportion of the consumption of other downstream chemical products. In addition, flame retardants, cellulose and other products are affected by environmental governance inspections and are under-operated. In the future, the consumption of propylene oxide may show a downward trend.
3.2. Supply-demand relationship: a substantial increase in production capacity, self-sufficiency is just around the corner
With the completion and commissioning of new domestic propylene oxide projects, it is estimated that my country’s propylene oxide production capacity will reach 9.43 million tons per year in 2025, and the output will increase substantially. In terms of demand, driven by the fields of polyether polyol and propylene glycol, my country’s propylene oxide demand will reach 4.05 million tons in 2025, and my country’s propylene oxide will be self-sufficient.
4. Development suggestions
1. Domestic propylene oxide is in a rapid development stage, and the newly-built production capacity is mainly based on HP propylene oxide process and propylene oxide/SM process. With the completion and commissioning of the proposed projects under construction, my country’s propylene oxide production capacity is expected to meet domestic demand, and it is rich. The traditional chlorohydrin process will gradually be phased out. The industry needs to pay attention to the risk of overcapacity.
2. The domestic propylene oxide consumer market will continue to be concentrated in the East China market, dominated by Jiangsu and Shandong. The consumer areas are mainly downstream industries such as polyether polyols, propylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers. When companies deploy propylene oxide, they should also plan downstream products to reduce sales pressure.
June 22, 2021
Chinese Propylene Oxide Update
Propylene oxide: from a gap of 467,000 tons to self-sufficiency is just around the corner
Echemi 2021-06-21
1. The current situation of world supply and demand: Asia has the largest production capacity and the highest proportion of consumption
In 2020, the world’s propylene oxide (PO) production capacity will be approximately 11.2 million tons per year, of which Asian production capacity accounts for approximately 45% of the world’s total production capacity, which is the region with the largest production capacity in the world; Western Europe accounts for approximately 24%; North America accounts for approximately 22%.
In 2020, the world’s propylene oxide consumption will be approximately 9.3 million tons. In terms of regions, Asia is the region with the largest consumption of propylene oxide in the world, with an annual consumption of 4.48 million tons, accounting for 48% of the world’s total consumption; consumption in Western Europe is 2.21 million tons, accounting for 24%; consumption in North America The volume is 1.87 million tons, accounting for 20%.
The main application areas of propylene oxide in the world include polyether polyol (PPG), propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and propylene glycol ether, etc. Among them, the largest consumption area is PPG, and there is little difference in consumption structure between regions. In 2020, the consumption of propylene oxide in this field is about 8.4 million tons, accounting for 75%; the consumption of propylene glycol to propylene oxide is about 1.55 million tons, accounting for 13.8%; the consumption of 1,4-butanediol to propylene oxide The volume is about 190,000 tons, accounting for 1.7%; the consumption of propylene oxide in other fields accounts for about 9.5%.
2. The status quo of domestic supply and demand: the gap between domestic supply and demand still exists
2.1. Production technology: traditional technology and advanced technology coexist
There are mainly 5 types of propylene oxide production process technologies, namely the traditional chlorohydrin method and the advanced co-oxidation method (propylene oxide/SM method, propylene oxide/TBA method), cumene oxidation method (CHP propylene oxide method) ), hydrogen peroxide oxidation method (HP propylene oxide method) and O2 direct oxidation method, of which chlorohydrin method and co-oxidation method are currently the most widely used technologies. In 2020, the chlorohydrin method will account for about 50% of the domestic propylene oxide production capacity, and the rest will be the co-oxidation method, HP propylene oxide method and CHP method.
2.2. Manufacturers: Centralized production capacity in East China
In 2020, there will be a total of 19 domestic propylene oxide producers (see Table 2 for details), of which 13 are located in Eastern China, and their production capacity will account for 69.3% of the country’s total production capacity. The province with the largest number of production companies is Shandong Province, with propylene oxide production capacity accounting for 47.2% of the national production capacity.
At present, domestic chlorohydrin propylene oxide production enterprises are mainly located in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. The production cost of chlorohydrin propylene oxide is low, but the pollution problem limits the further development of this technology. Since 2014, Shandong has strictly restricted indicators such as COD discharge of industrial wastewater, and some chlorohydrin companies can only seek to relocate or suspend production.
Among the 4 companies using co-oxidation technology, Zhenli Chemical and CNOOC Shell used propylene oxide/SM technology, and the technologies were from Lyonder and Shell; Yantai Wanhua and Jinling Huntsman used propylene oxide/ MTBE technology, technology comes from Huntsman. Among the enterprises using HP propylene oxide process, Sinopec Changling’s 100,000-ton/year demonstration device is Sinopec’s own technology.
2.3. Consumer sector: Polyether polyol is the largest consumer sector
In 2020, China’s propylene oxide consumption will be about 2.99 million tons. The consumption is mainly concentrated in the fields of polyether polyols, propylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers. Among them, the consumption of polyether polyols accounts for 70%.
2.4. Supply-demand relationship: the gap between supply and demand still exists
In 2020, my country’s propylene oxide production capacity will be 3.29 million tons per year. Affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the average operating rate of the installations will be 77%, and the output will drop by 330,000 tons year-on-year. In the same year, the domestic consumption of propylene oxide was 2.99 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 10%. In 2020, the supply and demand gap of propylene oxide in my country is 467,000 tons. The supply and demand situation of my country’s propylene oxide from 2015 to 2020 is shown in Figure 2.
3. Domestic outlook: Production capacity is steadily increasing, and propylene oxide is expected to become self-sufficient in the future
3.1. Supply forecast: There are more new capacity, mainly HP propylene oxide method and propylene oxide/SM method
According to statistics, there are 24 propylene oxide projects under construction in China, with a total production capacity of approximately 6.15 million tons per year. The projects are mainly distributed in East China, South China and North China. The “Industrial Structure Adjustment Guidance Catalog” (2019) clearly proposes to “eliminate serious environmental pollution chlorohydrin production of propylene oxide technology”, so the proposed projects mainly adopt HP propylene oxide method and propylene oxide/SM method. .
Regardless of the elimination of the existing chlorohydrin process equipment, it is estimated that by 2025, the domestic production capacity of propylene oxide will reach 9.43 million tons per year. See Table 3 for details of my country’s propylene oxide projects under construction.
3.2. Consumption forecast: In the future, domestic consumption will still be dominated by polyether polyols
It is predicted that the domestic consumption of propylene oxide will continue to grow in the future, and the consumption will reach 4.05 million tons by 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3% from 2020 to 2025.
Among the main downstream polyether polyols of propylene oxide, the production of basic soft and rigid foam polyethers is large, and it is expected that the future support for the consumption of propylene oxide will still be relatively large. In order to increase the added value of products, many polyether factories are undergoing structural transformation, increasing the development of high-activity, high-molecular-weight, and high-value-added polyethers. In recent years, the production capacity of POP and high-resilience polyethers has increased significantly, but the consumption of propylene oxide in the short term The amount will still be lower than the base polyether. my country currently has 18 new planned polyether polyol projects with a total production capacity of 2.97 million tons per year. If these projects are successfully put into production, it is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide will reach about 2.8 million tons.
Propylene glycol is mainly used to produce unsaturated resins. In 2020, affected by the global epidemic, consumption in this field has dropped by 6.7% year-on-year. It is expected that consumption will gradually recover in the next 5 years. It is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide in this field It will be around 450,000 tons.
Propylene glycol ether is the third largest consumption area of propylene oxide. It is estimated that by 2025, the consumption of propylene oxide in this area will be around 220,000 tons.
Propylene oxide accounts for a small proportion of the consumption of other downstream chemical products. In addition, flame retardants, cellulose and other products are affected by environmental governance inspections and are under-operated. In the future, the consumption of propylene oxide may show a downward trend.
3.2. Supply-demand relationship: a substantial increase in production capacity, self-sufficiency is just around the corner
With the completion and commissioning of new domestic propylene oxide projects, it is estimated that my country’s propylene oxide production capacity will reach 9.43 million tons per year in 2025, and the output will increase substantially. In terms of demand, driven by the fields of polyether polyol and propylene glycol, my country’s propylene oxide demand will reach 4.05 million tons in 2025, and my country’s propylene oxide will be self-sufficient.
4. Development suggestions
1. Domestic propylene oxide is in a rapid development stage, and the newly-built production capacity is mainly based on HP propylene oxide process and propylene oxide/SM process. With the completion and commissioning of the proposed projects under construction, my country’s propylene oxide production capacity is expected to meet domestic demand, and it is rich. The traditional chlorohydrin process will gradually be phased out. The industry needs to pay attention to the risk of overcapacity.
2. The domestic propylene oxide consumer market will continue to be concentrated in the East China market, dominated by Jiangsu and Shandong. The consumer areas are mainly downstream industries such as polyether polyols, propylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers. When companies deploy propylene oxide, they should also plan downstream products to reduce sales pressure.
June 3, 2021
Benzene Update
European and American benzene supply will return to normal in the second half of the year to ease the imbalance between supply and demand
Echemi 2021-06-01
After uncharacteristically tense in the first half of the year, the supply of benzene in the United States and Europe is expected to return to normal in the second half of 2021, thereby alleviating the demand for Asian goods.
In the United States, in addition to the winter storm in mid-February that destroyed more than 4.6 million barrels per day of refinery capacity in Texas and Louisiana, limited imports from South Korea and substandard refinery operating rates also suppressed U.S. benzene stocks.
Supply disruption in the United States and limited materials in Asia disrupted transportation to Europe, while the rapidly lagging market, strong Chinese demand and limited ship supply further restricted Asia’s exports to Europe and the United States in the first half of 2021.
However, with the easing of market price cuts around the summer and an increase in global supply, European benzene consumers are expected to have more products arriving in Europe to make up for the gap.
After the maintenance of ExxonMobil Chemical’s Botlek plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, production resumed, and the shortage is expected to be alleviated.
As Korean benzene cargoes begin to arrive in the U.S. Gulf in large quantities, U.S. supplies will increase around July. According to KITA data, the amount of benzene shipped from South Korea to the coast of the United States from May 1 to 10 is roughly the same as that of the entire April. The United States is expected to surpass China in May and become South Korea’s largest importer of benzene.
According to sources, domestic production in the United States is also expected to increase. New crown vaccination and improved demand for summer travel and air travel have prompted US refineries to increase the production of gasoline, aviation fuel and middle distillates.
Due to the amazing profit rate of benzene in the first half of the year, Asian producers are operating at a high speed in order to maximize profits, leading to an increase in the export volume of Asian countries. From January to April, the Asian benzene-naphtha price gap averaged US$240/ton, and once hit a high of US$475/ton in mid-April.
In contrast, the average price difference between p-xylene and naphtha in January-April was US$224/ton, and manufacturers have shifted their focus to the production and sales of benzene.
According to sources, with the gradual recovery of supply, profit margins in Asia are still uncertain in the second half of the year, and benzene may maintain its advantage in the first half of the year.
Platts Analysis wrote in an April report: “The recovery of local demand in Western countries may accelerate rapidly in the next six months. They predict that the net utilization rate of refineries may reach about 95% in the middle of the summer. “
But market participants are not sure whether this increase will be enough to suppress prices when demand in the downstream value chains of benzene is strong and the US manufacturing industry is recovering strongly. Styrene producers are not expected to significantly reduce prices, and there are no SM devices planned to be overhauled in the United States for the remainder of 2021.
Downstream demand remains healthy
The demand for downstream products such as styrene and phenol is expected to remain healthy. The reduction in COVID-19 cases and the progress of the vaccination program provide a glimmer of hope for alleviating the blockade across Europe, while supporting further demand for benzene and its derivatives. The increase in car travel in the summer also means that refineries may increase the production of road fuels and increase the supply of benzene raw materials.
A source said that the actual demand for styrene is expected to be stronger in the second half of the year, but the decrease in SM imports from the United States may put pressure on benzene prices.
A trader said: “The increase in styrene production capacity in Asia will have a huge boost to benzene.”
Until 2021, China’s downstream new capacity has been delayed and started simultaneously, which has increased the demand for benzene, especially in southern China where commercial storage has not been widely used. At the same time, China’s integrated refineries have an oversupply of benzene, and the start of the styrene plants at these refineries has been postponed to 2022.
Previously, due to the sale of goods outside Asia, the availability of goods for Asian buyers decreased, and end users in Asia were dissatisfied with the sharp increase in prices. FOB Korea’s benchmark price hit a seven-year high in April and May several times.
There is a big gap between the bids and quotations in the CFR Asian market. Sellers are considering global delivery prices. The current spot quotations of CFR Asian buyers are almost 10 times higher than the 2021 fixed-term contract benzene price.
A buyer said: “It is difficult for Asian buyers to tolerate the substantial increase in costs caused by reasons unrelated to Asia. The entire styrene chain will eventually be normalized in the second half of the year.” Many sources said that the situation in the first half of the year was intermittent. Sexuality is unlikely to become the norm in the future.
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