Global benzene operating rates are projected to stay below 80% over
2010-2015, as the industry struggles with new capacity from the Middle East,
China and Southeast Asia, Tiankanok Sirichayaporn, from industry consultant
Nexant Asia Limited, told CMT's 6th Asia Aromatics and Derivatives conference
in Shanghai Thursday.
Sirichayaporn said that the global benzene run rate will hit a trough in
2010, and end off this year with a projected
operating rate of 70% of capacity. If Sirichayaporn's estimate for 2010 proves
to be accurate, this will mean that global benzene production in 2010, will be
at around 25 million mt.
In 2007, the global benzene run rate was at 80% of capacity, and global
benzene production in that year was 60 million mt.
Sirichayaporn pointed out that Asia in particular, will have to grapple
with a massive benzene surplus.
In 2006, Asia had a little over 500,000 mt of surplus benzene, but the
region's benzene surplus will balloon to over 1 million mt by 2012.
Sirichayaporn mentioned that Thailand and India will feature heavily as
the new entrants in Asia's benzene export market.
Platts reported April 7 that Thailand's Map Ta Phut Olefins Co, or MOC,
plans to start up its new benzene-toluene-mixed xylene extraction unit
over the second half of 2010.
The unit has the capacity to make about 170,000 mt/year of benzene,
85,000 mt/year of toluene, 60,000 mt/year of mixed xylenes, and C9 aromatics.
MOC, which is a 67:33 joint venture between Siam Cement Public Co. and
Dow Chemical, plans to offer the initial production from the plant on the spot
market.
In India, ONGC Petro-additions Limited, or OPaL, expects to start up its
integrated petrochemicals complex in the fourth quarter 2012, Platts reported
June 15. ONGC Petro-additions petrochemicals complex will house a 135,000
mt/year benzene plant.
ONGC Petro-additions intends to export at least 50% of its benzene
produce, a company source confirmed.
--Quintella_Koh@platts.com
2010-2015, as the industry struggles with new capacity from the Middle East,
China and Southeast Asia, Tiankanok Sirichayaporn, from industry consultant
Nexant Asia Limited, told CMT's 6th Asia Aromatics and Derivatives conference
in Shanghai Thursday.
Sirichayaporn said that the global benzene run rate will hit a trough in
2010, and end off this year with a projected
operating rate of 70% of capacity. If Sirichayaporn's estimate for 2010 proves
to be accurate, this will mean that global benzene production in 2010, will be
at around 25 million mt.
In 2007, the global benzene run rate was at 80% of capacity, and global
benzene production in that year was 60 million mt.
Sirichayaporn pointed out that Asia in particular, will have to grapple
with a massive benzene surplus.
In 2006, Asia had a little over 500,000 mt of surplus benzene, but the
region's benzene surplus will balloon to over 1 million mt by 2012.
Sirichayaporn mentioned that Thailand and India will feature heavily as
the new entrants in Asia's benzene export market.
Platts reported April 7 that Thailand's Map Ta Phut Olefins Co, or MOC,
plans to start up its new benzene-toluene-mixed xylene extraction unit
over the second half of 2010.
The unit has the capacity to make about 170,000 mt/year of benzene,
85,000 mt/year of toluene, 60,000 mt/year of mixed xylenes, and C9 aromatics.
MOC, which is a 67:33 joint venture between Siam Cement Public Co. and
Dow Chemical, plans to offer the initial production from the plant on the spot
market.
In India, ONGC Petro-additions Limited, or OPaL, expects to start up its
integrated petrochemicals complex in the fourth quarter 2012, Platts reported
June 15. ONGC Petro-additions petrochemicals complex will house a 135,000
mt/year benzene plant.
ONGC Petro-additions intends to export at least 50% of its benzene
produce, a company source confirmed.
--Quintella_Koh@platts.com
