Petrochemicals I – An in depth introduction

Benefits to you and your company:

As an highly interactive guide to the petrochemical industryf and markets, this course explores petrochemical value chains in detail, looking at feedstocks and end uses.

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By the end of the course, you will learn about:

• Olefins and aromatics: After an introduction to petrochemicals and terminology, we first look at the main value chains and end-uses for the three main olefins – ethylene, propylene and butadiene. We then carry out a similar exercise with the main aromatics – benzene, toluene, paraxylene and orthoxylene. After each presentation, an exercise in building the chains follows.
• Examining the oil industry and its relationship with petrochemicals: Oil refinery processes are discussed and the role petrochemicals play in the refinery. Information on crude oil reserves, production and consumption is included.
• Natural gas, methanol and ammonia: The source of natural gas and its different components is explained including the liquefied natural gas value chain. We then look at the main uses for methanol and ammonia, which are the two common chemicals made from natural gas. A further presentation considers the use of coal for making petrochemicals.
• Chlor-alkali chain introduced: To complete the picture, we examine chlorine and caustic soda, to understand how these products can impact on petrochemicals.
• The global petrochemical business: This is examined by looking at chemical production and growth, and who the main players are. We explore the growing influence of China and the increasing role of the Middle East with its huge competitive advantage, and how this will play into the business. Further papers look at regional issues and provide an update on M&A activity.
• Introduction to pricing and markets: We cover factors that influence price and how prices are set in the market. Types of pricing and price jargon are explained.

Hands-on practice:

During the course you will also have an opportunity to put some of the learning into practice. This helps reinforce the information given in presentations and helps you see how the different petrochemical chains interact. Excercises will also allow for group discussion on issues and topics not covered earlier in the course.

Course fees:

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Nigel Davis 

Nigel, a chemist by training, is Insight editor with ICIS and contributes regularly to the 24-hour online chemicals news service. The Insight column provides daily comment and analysis on the sector... read more

Peter Taffe 

Peter Taffe, a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Leeds in Britain, has over 30 years of experience in technical and business publishing as well as industrial public relations. Peter has been... read more

John Richardson 

John is a highly experienced journalist, who has been covering the chemicals industry for more than 15 years.

Based in Asia-Pacific, John has deep knowledge of the companies and people who have... read more

Malini Hariharan

Malini Hariharan has over 20 years of experience in tracking and analysing the petrochemicals industry.

She is currently responsible for content development of the training business at ICIS and... read more

Paul Cherry 

Paul has 20 years experience in the petrochemical industry working for Lyondell Basell and its predecessor companies, Basell, Montell and Shell Chemicals... read more

Barbara Ortner 

Barbara Ortner is Head of Market Reporting at ICIS pricing, the market-leading on-line price reporting service for the petrochemical industry. She is responsible for ensuring ICIS' global price reporting... read more

Heather Doyle 

Heather McGuire Doyle is the Managing Editor, Americas and works in the ICIS bureau in Houston.

Heather supervises editors covering all ICIS Americas petrochemical and oil reports... read more

Read more about our course leaders.

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• New entrants to the industry and support staff already working in petrochemicals
• Those with some experience who want a refresher course and an overview of the key issues affecting the chemical industry
• Purchasers of products based on petrochemicals who want an understanding of issues upstream of their businesses
• Oil and gas players who sell feedstock to petrochemical producers
• Manufacturers of finished products who buy raw materials sourced from the petrochemical industry
• Service providers, including logistics companies and the financial community

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View the ICIS Training Fees List for pricing information and and group discounts.

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