Propylene

Benchmarked pricing assessments and expert analysis

Discover the factors influencing propylene markets

A key feedstock for the petrochemicals industry, propylene is most commonly produced as a co-product of ethylene. The dominant downstream sector is polypropylene (PP), but propylene is also used to produce acrylonitrile (ACN), propylene oxide (PO), polyols, cumene, acrylic acid (AA), and alcohols.

Planned maintenance turnarounds in the spring and autumn are key to managing expectations but unplanned outages – big or small – can have a major impact on the market and pricing. The June-November hurricane season in the US Gulf often leads to disruption in production and trade flows.

ICIS provides reliable and trustworthy weekly price assessments for propylene in Asia, China, Europe, and the USA. Daily market intelligence is also available for coverage of the Asian markets. Our locally-based expert reporters leverage market input from buyers, sellers and distributors, leading to unparalleled coverage of the propylene value chain across the globe.

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Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 15 March. Europe ethylene and propylene sentiment cautiously optimistic for remainder of H1 Given the better-than-expected demand conditions, with improved sales volumes and higher prices lifting many out of the mire that was 2023, the question on everyone’s lips is how long can we expect this state of affairs to last. Potential for oil market deficit in 2024 as demand expectations grow – IEA Higher oil demand expectations and fresh production cuts from the OPEC+ alliance could push the 2024 crude market balance from a surplus to a slight deficit if the voluntary reductions remain in place for the rest of the year, according to the International Energy Agency. Surging PET bottle bale prices threaten to ‘destroy’ Europe’s R-PET market Feedstock bale prices hit €930/tonne ex-works in Poland on Monday, prompting recycled PET participants to suggest such price levels threaten to destroy the R-PET market as they fear a repeat of 2022’s disastrous price volatility. Europe acetic acid, VAM contract talks for March focus on supply disruption March negotiations are underway for European acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) contract pricing with security of supply a key influence on negotiations amid LyondellBasell’s force majeure in the US and other disruptions to global trade flows. Caution caps optimism as peak season arrives for Europe styrene market Spot activity in the Europe styrene market was moderate in the week ended 8 March, as players attended a key industry event, while cautious and conservative sentiment persisted alongside crosswinds from ongoing demand weakness and thin liquidity, high feedstock costs and reduced availability. Participants pointed to only slight improvements in demand and market optimism from levels seen in 2023. Europe cracker margins up on firmer ethylene, co-products pricing Cracker margins in Europe rose in the week on the back of firmer ethylene and co-product pricing, ICIS Margin Analysis showed on Monday.

18-Mar-2024

Lotte Chemical mulls 'strategic measures' for Malaysian-listed LC Titan

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korean producer Lotte Chemical said on Thursday that it is exploring options for its Malaysian subsidiary, in response to local media reports that the unit is up for sale. "We are considering various strategic measures related to LC Titan [Lotte Chemical Titan] which is our subsidiary, but nothing has been decided so far," Lotte Chemical chief financial officer Seong Nak-sun said in a stock exchange filing. "We will re-announce the details within a month or when they are decided in the future," Seong added. Lotte Chemical and LC Titan could not be immediately reached for further comments on the potential sale. At 05:30 GMT, shares of the two listed companies were trading lower, with Lotte Chemical down 1.63% in Seoul, and LC Titan down 1.72% in Kuala Lumpur. According to media reports on Thursday, Lotte Chemical has already initiated the process of selling LC Titan, citing unnamed sources. "We're actively reviewing ways to optimize our portfolio, which includes considering the potential sale of LC Titan. However, a definitive decision has not yet been reached," an unnamed Lotte Chemical official was quoted by The Korea Economic Daily (KED) as saying. Lotte Chemical is approaching both domestic and international companies, along with private equity firms through investment banks, to be potential buyers for its Malaysian arm, KED reported. The Korean producer is planning to sell all outstanding shares of LC Titan traded on the Malaysian stock market, which is equivalent to 74.7% of the company, valuing the firm at around $550m based on current market capitalization, it added. LC Titan has incurred a second year of net loss, which widened to Malaysian ringgit (M$) 780.3m in 2023 as sales declined by 24% to M$7.65bn. Malaysia's LC Titan full-year financial results in thousand ringgit (M$) FY2023 FY2022 % change Sales           7,646,170         10,019,083 -23.7 Loss from operations           (868,001)         (1,041,451) -16.7 Net profit            (780,286)            (731,061) 6.7 Meanwhile, parent firm Lotte Chemical swung into a net loss last year. S Korea's Lotte Chemical full-year financial results in billion S Korean won (W) 2023 2022 % Change Sales 19,949 22,276 -10.4 EBITDA 839 185 353.5 Operating profit -333 -763 Net income -301 28 In the notes accompanying its financial results released on 7 February, Lotte Chemical had stated that that it “will pursue advancement and improvements to the business portfolio in order to actively respond to changes in the business environment of the petrochemical industry and improve profitability through efficient management of existing petrochemical businesses”. “The weak market conditions of the petrochemical industry are ongoing due to reduced demand and dropping product prices resulting from global uncertainties, as well as increased supply burdens caused by large-scale ethylene plant expansions in China,” it said. The acquisition of Malaysian company Titan Chemicals in 2010 was the Korean firm’s first foray into southeast Asia. The acquired company was rebranded Lotte Chemical Titan, and in 2017, was listed on the Malaysian bourse. LC Titan operates 12 plants at two sites in Johor, Malaysia; and holds a 40% stake in LOTTE Chemical USA based in Houston, Texas. In Indonesia, the company operates polyethylene plants, and in Q1 2022,  started construction of LOTTE Chemical Indonesia New Ethylene (LINE) Project, which will increase production capacity in Cilegon by 65% to 5.88m tonnes/year. The project is expected to produce 1m tonnes/year of ethylene; 520,000 tonnes/year of propylene; 250,000 tonnes/year of polypropylene (PP); and 140,000 tonnes/year of butadiene (BD). It is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman ($1 = M$4.71; $1 = W1,330) Thumbnail image: A Lotte Chemical Titan plant in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia (Source: Lotte Chemical Titan)

07-Mar-2024

Korea’s S-Oil targets $2bn capex for Ulsan oil-to-chems project in '24

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korean refiner S-Oil has earmarked won (W) 2.72tr ($2bn) this year for its thermal crude-to-chemical (TC2C) project called Shaheen, representing 87% of the total capital expenditure (capex) set for 2024. The full-year capex at W3.14tr was up 54% from 2023, the company said in its Q4 results presentation released in early February. Construction of Shaheen at the Onsan Industrial Complex of Ulsan City started in March 2023 and will be in full swing this year, with mechanical completion targeted by the first half of 2026. The funds that will go to the project – whose name was derived from the Arabic word for falcon – were up 86% from 2023 levels. As of end-December 2023, site preparation was 48% complete, with engineering, procurement and construction at 18.7%, according to S-Oil. “Site preparation and EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] work is under full-fledged execution with the actual progress going smoothly according to the plan,” the company said. The project will leverage on the T2C2 technology of its parent company Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest crude exporter. Aramco owns more than 63% of S-Oil. The project is expected to yield 70% more chemicals, with a capex/operating expenditure savings pegged at 30-40% versus conventional process. Meanwhile, for upgrade and maintenance of plants in 2024, total expenses will fall by about 32% to W298bn, with just two plants due for turnaround in the year – its No 1 crude distillation unit (CDU) and its No 1 lube HDT (hydrotreatment) unit, the company said in the presentation, noting that the plan is preliminary. ICIS had reported that S-Oil will conduct maintenance at its Group I and Group II base oils units in Onsan, Ulsan for more than a month from mid-September this year. On 23 February 2024, a fire broke out at the company’s Onsan production site in Ulsan, shutting one of the three crude distillation units (CDUs) of its 669,000 bbl/day refinery, with some reduction in propylene output of the residue fluid catalytic cracker (RFCC) at the site, industry sources said. Other downstream operations at the site were not affected, but this could not be immediately confirmed with the company. Its Onsan complex can produce 910,000 tonnes/year of propylene; 187,000 tonnes/year of ethylene; 600,000 tonnes/year of benzene; and 1m tonnes/year of paraxylene (PX), according to the ICIS Supply & Demand Database. The company was planning to restart the No 3 CDU by 27 February, news agency Reuters reported, quoting unnamed sources. 2023 NET PROFIT SLUMPSS-Oil posted a 54.9% slump in net profit, with sales sliding by about 16% to as operating rates across its plants declined. in billion won (W) FY2023* FY2022 Yr-on-yr % change Revenue 35,726.7 42,446.0 -15.8 Operating income 1,354.6 3,405.2 -60.2 Net income 948.8 2,104.4 -54.9 *Revised figures from S-Oil on 26 February 2024 in billion won (W) FY2023 FY2022 Yr-on-yr % change Refining operating profit 399.1 2,344.3 -83.0 Petrochemical operating profit 203.7 -49.8 -509.0 Lube operating profit 815.7 1,110.7 -26.6 Source: S-Oil presentation, 2 February 2024 Average operating rates across the company’s plants declined and were in the  range of 75.1% to 90.4% in 2023 due to weakening global demand, with paraxylene (PX) plants registering the lowest run rate. Source: S-Oil, February 2024 2024 OUTLOOK “Regional refining markets are forecast to maintain an above average level by steady demand growth coupled with low inventory levels,” S-Oil said. Refining margins in the first quarter will likely be supported by “heating demand in winter and spring maintenance season", it said. “With uncertainties on start-up timing and pace of major new refineries, market impact is estimated to be restricted in 2H [second half] or beyond,” the company said. Paraxylene (PX) and benzene markets “are projected to be supported by firm demand growth” on the back of new downstream expansions as well as demand for gasoline blending, “amid drastically reduced capacity addition”. Polypropylene (PP) and propylene oxide (PO) markets “are likely to gradually improve in tandem with pace of China’s economic recovery, while pressures from capacity addition continues”, while for lube base oils (LBO), the product spread is projected to be solid “on limited capacity additions and sustained demand growth”, according to S-Oil. Thumbnail image: S-Oil's Residue Upgrading Complex (RUC) and the Olefin Downstream Complex (ODC) in Ulsan, South Korea (Source: S-Oil) Focus article by Pearl Bantillo ($1 = W1,334)

29-Feb-2024

AdvanSix petitions US to impose Superfund taxes on imports of nylon 6, capro

HOUSTON (ICIS)–AdvanSix has requested that the US impose Superfund taxes on imports of nylon 6 and caprolactam (capro). On Tuesday, AdvanSix did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AdvanSix proposed a tax rate of $14.77/ton. The next step is for the government to gather comments and consider requests for hearings about AdvanSix's request. The deadline to file comments or request hearings is 22 April. HOW THE SUPERFUND TAX WORKSThe US introduced the Superfund taxes in mid-2022 on taxable chemicals and imports of taxable substances. The proceeds raised by the taxes will help replenish the government's Superfund program, which pays for clean-up at waste sites. The Superfund tax regime divides materials into two groups. The first group is levied on the sale or use of 42 chemicals by producers or importers. Many of these chemicals are fundamental building blocks such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene (BD), benzene, toluene, xylene and methane. The second group is restricted to imports and covers substances that are sold or used in the US. This second batch of taxes applies to substances that contain at least 20% of the 42 taxable chemicals. In addition, the taxable rate would depend on the proportion of the 42 taxable chemicals contained in the substance. The request by AdvanSix falls under this second group. As part of its request AdvanSix filed two petitions asking the US to add nylon 6 and capro to its list of taxable substances. Thumbnail shows nylon Image by Shutterstock.

27-Feb-2024

Europe top stories: weekly summary

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 23 February. Europe PE/PP contract prices reach three figure hikes for February Contract prices for European polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) have settled upwards from initial moves earlier in February, in the pivotal third week of the month. Chemical firms back call for stronger business environment in EU The chief executives of BASF, INEOS, Covestro, Clariant and Dow Europe among others on Tuesday backed a new declaration calling for stronger European Commission prioritisation of business, calling for an industrial deal to be placed at the core of the new Parliament. Europe propylene limitations raise concerns down value chain The European propylene (C3) supply and demand balance is in a tighter than expected position due to a combination of healthy demand and planned and unplanned production constraints. BASF navigates low-growth environment as China Verbund spending continues As BASF prepares to provide more detail on its 2023 financial performance, the Germany-based chemicals major is to navigate the still-chilly waters of 2024 as spending on its flagship China Verbund site in Zhanjiang continues and project pipelines face ever-tougher scrutiny. INSIGHT: EU chemicals plead for help while production sinks to 1999 levels As chemical production in Europe plunges to levels last seen during the 2008/9 financial crisis and back in 1999, industry leaders are urging the EU to improve the regulatory framework and do more to protect them from unfair competition. But with the fundamentals of supply and demand so out of balance globally, there are limits to how much politicians can achieve in Europe.

26-Feb-2024

PODCAST: Asian olefins to see support amid tighter supply, Panama congestion persists

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia's ethylene (C2) market saw supply tighten amid fewer volumes from the US in Q1 as a direct result of congestion at the Panama Canal. Over in the Asian propylene (C3) markets, while arbitrage flows remain curtailed by high freight rates, some emerging interest has been gleaned in the market as regards moving Asian material westwards. In this podcast, ICIS market editors Josh Quah  and Julia Tan discuss Asia's olefins flows, with a forward view on the March market. C2 sees support from constrained deep-sea supply NE Asia C2 and C3 outlooks for March Impact of shipping congestion on olefin trade flows

21-Feb-2024

Asia petchem markets await China's demand signals after holiday

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia's petrochemical markets will closely watch China's demand signals after the Lunar New Year holiday amid ongoing concerns about the country’s economic health. Asia markets eye China's post-holiday demand signals China's economic health remains central concern Prices likely to rise amid supply constraints Markets in Asia took a breather in the week of 12-16 February, with Lunar New Year holidays in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, while countries such as South Korea, Japan and Indonesia observed public holidays as well. Market participants are cautious about the post-holiday market; while some downstream buyers will restock after the holidays, there is concern that existing inventory held by domestic China producers and distributors will largely satisfy demand until early March. PRICES LIKELY TO RISE AMID SUPPLY CONSTRAINTSPetrochemical prices in Asia are expected to continue to increase in February, supported by capacity losses from outages and run-rate reductions, according to ICIS analysts. Among the 31 major petrochemical commodities covered by the ICIS Asia Price Forecast, average February prices for at least 22 of these commodities are anticipated to increase. Ethylene (C2), butadiene (BD) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) are expected to lead in terms of gains. In Asia’s C2 market, end-users who have yet to settle March arrival cargo are expected to hit the ground running once most of players return to the market this week. In the southeast Asia C2 market, demand enquiries were largely heard from Thailand last week, while other end-users in Indonesia have begun to look towards the April window for spot cargo. "The Asia C2 industry is likely to be characterised by tight supply in the weeks to come," said Paolo Scafetta, ICIS senior olefins analyst. "February should see about 7% of total monthly nameplate capacity lost due to downtime unless unplanned events cause further technical hiccups." The upstream naphtha market in Asia should be influenced by a few bearish factors, Scafetta added. These include the shift from naphtha to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative cracking feedstock and an improvement in supply from March as naphtha cargoes are expected to increase as Middle East refineries return from their maintenance. Asia's naphtha market is likely to be plagued with volatility in the short term as tensions in the Red Sea will continue to disrupt supplies. In Asia’s propylene (C3) market, trade was largely subdued during the Lunar New Year break but picked up towards the close of the week with most market players, except China, returning from their holiday. Talks and discussions in Taiwan commenced at the end of the week after the holidays ended. However, the post-holiday buying sentiment weakened on the back of ample supply, leading sellers to progressively lower their offers and selling indications. With buyers in China largely away from the market, overall business activity during the week was muted. In southeast Asia, while demand was also heard in Malaysia and Indonesia, most buyers continued to hold back from purchases on the expectation that supply tightness might result in an easing in offers down the road. In Asia’s benzene market, post-holiday restocking is expected to pick up in the second half of February amid strong competition for April and May cargoes from global players. February and March benzene cargoes have been already sold out and April cargoes are in strong demand. Benzene buyers based in both Asia and the West had actively sought procurement since end-January, for pre-holiday and pre-summer stocking up respectively. Asia's acetone market looks poised to maintain its strength. This is due to the high prices of benzene, reduced production leading to tighter supply, and a resurgence in trading flows between Asia and the West. A significant increase in demand for Asia acetone from the US market is bolstering this trend. Limited supply in the US, a result of low phenol production and ongoing allocations, is driving this demand. Meanwhile, supply within Asia is also constrained as phenol/acetone producers scale back production in response to unprofitable margins and decreased demand for phenol in China. In the xylene markets, further support in the market will be dependent on downstream sectors after the Lunar New Year holidays, with eyes firmly on China. For paraxylene (PX), there remains optimism for gasoline-blending demand heading into the second quarter, with positive arbitrage window economics for exports to the West. Firm upstream naphtha prices have also provided some support for PX. Several market participants noted there had been pre-buying of mixed xylenes (MX) and toluene by gasoline blenders to the US. Demand and price developments in the downstream purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and polyester sectors will help provide clarity about whether high PX costs can be absorbed down the chain. Asia's butyl acetate (butac) and ethyl acetate (etac) markets are poised to stay afloat on anticipated post-holiday demand, albeit at a gradual pace. Sellers of butac in both China and the region largely maintained their spot offers for March loading prior to the Lunar New Year holiday. Spot butac prices were on a downtrend in the early part of the fourth quarter of 2023 and have climbed since December, in part driven by cost pressures upstream as suppliers worked towards mitigating compressed margins. Asia’s methylene chloride (MEC) market might be bullish after the Lunar New Year holiday, as rising demand is likely to shift the market to a more balanced state. Most buyers were in a wait-and-see mode, monitoring prices and observing what producers would offer after the Lunar New Year break, with market participants in southeast Asia eyeing a rebound in demand through Q2, around the Ramadan period. CHINA'S ECONOMIC HEALTH IN FOCUS ICIS analysts expect most of China's end-use consumption, including in industries such as agriculture and home appliances, to recover from March. The China government's Two Sessions policy meetings, widely seen as the most important political meeting of the year for the country, will be held on 4-11 March. ICIS analysts expect another series of policies to be introduced to stimulate economic growth. Further market and infrastructure investment can boost petrochemicals demand. Latest official data from China is pointing to some recovery from domestic tourism trips and revenues. Domestic tourism trips and revenues during the Lunar New Year holidays in China jumped by 34.3% and 47.3% year on year respectively, with their levels at 19.0% and 7.7% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019, data from the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) shows. "Most official and private media channels have been reporting strong (or even exceptionally strong) Lunar New Year holiday consumption data, and markets risk getting caught up in the euphoria of the moment, under the supposition that China’s economy is suddenly bottoming out, driven by the Chinese people’s hidden passion for spending," research analysts from Japan's Nomura Global Markets Research said in a note. "Although we do see some strength in the data, we urge market participants to exercise caution," it said, adding that China's property sector continued its downward spiral, right before the Lunar New Year holiday, and there was no sign of a recovery during the holiday. "Despite the positive [Lunar New Year] data, we maintain our view that the ongoing economic dip is likely to worsen into the spring," Nomura said. With additional reporting by Josh Quah, Julia Tan, Seng Li Peng, Angeline Soh, Helen Lee, Keven Zhang, Melanie Wee and Samuel Wong Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman Thumbnail photo: Lunar New Year lanterns in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on 1 February 2021. Asia will closely watch China's demand signals after the Lunar New Year holiday amid concerns about the country’s economic health. (Source: Xinhua/Shutterstock)

19-Feb-2024

Asia top stories – weekly summary

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 16 February 2024. Singapore Jan petrochemical exports rise 8.7%, NODX up 16.8% By Nurluqman Suratman 16-Feb-24 09:55 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Singapore’s petrochemical exports in January rose by 8.7% year on year to Singapore dollar (S$) 1.11bn ($822m), with non-oil domestic exports (NODX) posting a 16.8% growth for the month, official data showed on Friday. Asia fatty acids market faces cost pressures on strong palm oil prices By Helen Yan 15-Feb-24 13:10 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s fatty acids market is likely to face costs pressures from recent spikes in upstream crude palm oil (CPO) prices, while demand is expected to stay tepid. PODCAST: Asia R-PE, R-PET see slow 2023; legislations, waste management to shape future By Damini Dabholkar 15-Feb-24 14:07 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia recycled polymers markets were sluggish for the most part in 2023. In early 2024 too, challenges that dim the short-term outlook persist. INSIGHT: Indonesia polls raise questions over Nusantara, import curbs By Pearl Bantillo 13-Feb-24 19:27 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Indonesia, southeast Asia’s biggest economy, will go to the polls on 14 February to elect a new president, posing uncertainties on continuity of economic policies, from import restrictions coming into effect in March to incumbent President Joko Widodo’s flagship project of building a new capital called Nusantara in Kalimantan province. Asian EPDM market quiet amid holidays; demand outlook mixed By Ai Teng Lim 13-Feb-24 17:22 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Discussions for Asian spot imports of ethylene propylene diene-monomer (EPDM) ground to a halt this week, with much of Asia out of action on extended Lunar New Year holidays.

19-Feb-2024

INSIGHT: Low virgin chemicals pricing intensifies sustainable transition challenge – Borealis CEO

LONDON (ICIS)–Lower pricing for virgin petrochemicals in Europe on the back of a prolonged demand trough is exacerbating the challenge of building out sustainable products portfolios into a core spine of a chemicals business, according to the CEO of Borealis. The Austria-based petrochemicals producer is in the process of substantially increasing its sustainable and circular products offerings, completing its acquisition of Italy-based recycled polypropylene specialist Rialti in November. The company also agreed to acquire Integra Plastics, a Bulgaria-based producer of recycled polyethylene and polypropylene, that month. VIRGIN VS RECYCLED The push to develop circular products as a core plank of Borealis’ operations have become more difficult amid strained profitability and low pricing for conventional plastics, according to CEO Thomas Gangl. “What we want to do is focus on establishing circularity as a viable business,” he said. “This is tricky in general, and even more tricky in times of low prices for virgin material. On the other hand, I truly believe that this is not an optional topic, and is the way forward and we see for Borealis.” “The current environment, with lower demand for products, lower prices and margins, has of course been a difficult situation for us as well. Even more difficult in this environment, is making the mid- and long-term structural changes that we need,” he added. Lower pricing for virgin material has been a challenge for the mechanical  recycling sector, with production units tending to be smaller-scale than gigantic fossil-based petrochemicals production plant, and utilising newer technology. Those market characteristics can make for higher costs, and periods of cheap and plentiful fossil-based materials regularly challenge the pace of recycled product market adoption. “We need to go to a more circular product portfolio. During times when the material is so cheap, it is very difficult to afford for customers to buy something with a premium.  That is a challenging situation for the transformation,” he said. PERFORMANCE The company reported 2023 operating profit of €18m for its European asset base, excluding its nitrogen fertilizers business, which it sold to AGROFERT in July last year. The long-anticipated divestment has also allowed the company to simplify its approach to moving into a more circular business model, according to Gangl. "The proceeds that we have received from the sale were very good, and it is also about focus in difficult times. With the transformation towards circularity, we need to focus on the polyolefin business, and the nitrogen business was a big distraction from a management point of view," he said. The 2023 figure is a huge decline from the €703m generated -also excluding fertilizers – the previous year, amid high inflation and weaker margins and negative inventory effects. “The European asset base that Borealis is operating, excluding the big joint ventures such a Borouge, recorded €18m operating profit in 2023, a small profit compared to the record year 2022, but 2023 was a tough year for our industry, especially so for European based part of our industry, with high energy prices, inflation, a lot of imports," said CFO Daniel Turnheim. "Don't get me wrong, we are anything but happy with that sum, but it's still in a solid positive territory," he added. Slow ramp-ups and production issues for some new assets at Baystar, the company’s Texas joint venture with Total, also limited profitability last year. This is due in part to the 625,000 tonne/year scale of the polyethylene unit, which can present unique challenges when ramping up output “With this as the biggest machine ever built, you would expect to see some ramp-up curve… but we are convinced that this year this ramp-up curve will be continued and hopefully at the end of the year we will see a very stable operation,” Turnheim said. NO BIG SHIFTS IN 2024 No strong improvements are expected this year compared to last, with OMV projecting that operating margins for its European olefins and polyolefins assets will slip further in 2024, despite polymer sales and cracker operating rates projected to increase. OMV holds a 75% stake in the business, with Borealis standing as the Austria-based oil and gas major’s key foothold in downstream petrochemicals. OMV is in talks with Abu Dhabi sovereign oil major ADNOC on potential closer cooperation on petrochemicals, including the combination of subsidiaries of Borealis and Borouge as equal partners. Gangl declined to comment on the talks. Europe indicator operating margins (/tonne)  2024 (projected) 2023 Ethylene 490 507 Propylene 370 389 Polyethylene 320 322 Polypropylene 320 355 “I think what we really will see in 2024 is that the situation is not substantially different to 2023,” said Gangl. “It will be another challenging year. And so everyone has, therefore, focus on topics where there is the highest value to be delivered." Like most European players, an ever-intensifying focus on costs and efficiencies is the order of the day, Gangl said, with further consolidation in producers’ European asset base a strong possibility. !We've done a lot in working on margins, pricing, variable costs, fixed costs. This is the name of the game for European players, and therefore we need to continue this journey,” he said. “We have seen some first closures of assets last year and also here I expect that the one or the other will be added in the next years,” he added. LEGISLATIVE REFORM With the institution of a new European Parliament later this year as part of a wave of general elections that will see changes in national leadership for nearly half the population of the globe, sustainability legislation is likely to see some shake-ups. Marco Mensink, director general of European chemicals trade body Cefic, has predicted that Commission support on sustainability investment will be focused on the first movers and the highest spenders as industrial strategy rises up the agenda. With the sustainability transition comprised of the reinvention of numerous value chains and those shifts needing to happen in parallel to create a circular economy, what is lacking beyond investment is clarity, according to Gangl. “We are not happy with the timing of what is required from legislation and what we need to do now. We are taking steps without knowing exactly what the legislation will look like, and this is of course creating some issues,” he said. The US Inflation Reduction Act includes scope to cover operational expenses for new production units in value chains that may not yet be profitable, and an issue in Europe remains an obstacle to maturity of cleaner feedstock product markets, Gangl added. “We can for example, produce more products derived from bio-based feedstocks but as long as this is not supported by legislation, customers will not pay the extra costs for that. And this is where we then need a lot of smaller investments as well,” he said. “So it's not only one big investment, it's many smaller investments, and these will be delayed if there is no change in the approach by regulators,” he added. Insight by Tom Brown Thumbnail photo: Borealis' office in Taylorsville, US. Source: Borealis Clarification: recasts seventh paragraph

14-Feb-2024

Mitsubishi may make FID on new US MMA plant in Q2

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Mitsubishi Chemical America could make a final investment decision (FID) on a new methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant in the US in the second quarter, with start-up possible in 2028, the company said on Thursday. The plant, called the MCA Geismar Site, is proposed to be built in Ascension Parish in Louisiana state, and it will produce 350,000 tonnes/year using the company’s Alpha process technology. The site will also include a carbon monoxide (CO) plant, a methanol plant and a formalin plant. This will be the third plant that features the Alpha process, which uses ethylene, methanol and CO to make MMA. If Mitsubishi Chemical decides to move forward on the project, then construction could start in the second half of 2024, the company said in a statement. It should end in 2028, with operations starting later that year. The project already has achieved some regulatory milestones. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) had scheduled a public hearing for the project for 1 February. In 2023, the regulator made a preliminary determination to approve construction of the project. Mitsubishi Chemical expects the department to approve its air permit application in March or April 2024, it said in a statement. ETHYLENE-BASED MMA MAY UPEND MARKETMMA is typically made from acetone, which is a co-product of phenol production. Mitsubishi as well as Roehm are building MMA plants that use ethylene and methanol instead of acetone as a feedstock. Roehm calls its process technology LiMA, and it will be used in a 250,000 tonne/year plant it is building on the Gulf Coast. If these new technologies proliferate, then they would create a new end-use for ethylene, and they could slow down the growth for a traditional outlet for acetone. Not only could that have ramifications for acetone, but the new MMA technologies could affect phenol markets. Phenol and acetone are co-products and are ultimately derived from benzene and propylene via cumene. Thumbnail shows an item made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is made from MMA. Image by Shutterstock.

08-Feb-2024

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In today’s dynamic and interconnected chemicals markets, partnering with ICIS unlocks a vision of a future you can trust and achieve. We leverage our unrivalled network of chemicals industry experts to support our partners as they transact today and plan for tomorrow. Capitalise on opportunity, with a comprehensive market view based on trusted data, insight and analytics.

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