Propylene Oxide Overview Transcript
Propylene oxide or PO is a highly reactive liquid and is an important intermediate in the production of polyether polyols and monopropylene glycol MPG.
PO is produced via three main technologies in Asia: chlorohydrin, POSM or styrene monomer and HPPO or hydrogen peroxide to PO processes.
The Asian market has both spot and contract prices, Japan contract prices take a steer from naphtha contract prices, whereas the South Korea contract and the China spot prices are dependent on a key feedstock: propylene.
Japan contract prices take a steer from naphtha contract prices, whereas the South Korea contract and the China spot prices are dependent on a key feedstock: propylene.
Other raw materials such as chlorine and hydrogen peroxide, are also price-determining factors, dependent upon technology used.
In China, which is both the largest producer and consumer in the world, most PO units use chlorohydrin technology. So fluctuations in the local chlorine prices have a significant impact on Chinese PO prices.