World Analysis – Benzene

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon and one of the primary chemical building blocks for the petrochemical industry. Its key characteristic is its unique six-carbon ring. At room temperature, benzene is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet odor, which is why it is called an aromatic hydrocarbon. Benzene is found naturally in crude oil at low levels and is commercially produced via synthesis from petroleum-based raw materials, such as naphtha, gasoil, ethane, propane, butane, toluene, etc. It is also commercially produced from coal. Benzene is a known carcinogen, so its presence in gasoline is regulated in most major gasoline-consuming countries. Benzene’s presence in other consumer product applications, such as solvents and sealants, was essentially eliminated by reformulation and substitution many years ago.

Originally, benzene was produced as a by-product of coke production from coal for the steel industry. Although benzene continues to be produced and recovered from this source, benzene is now primarily produced as a by-product of naphtha reforming operations in refineries, and ethylene steam cracker operations. There are also a number of other processes that produce benzene as a coproduct or by-product. Benzene is used as a primary chemical building block in the production of other intermediate chemicals, including ethylbenzene (EB)/styrene, cumene/phenol, cyclohexane, nitrobenzene/aniline, maleic anhydride, alkylbenzene, chlorobenzene, and other industrial chemicals. These chemicals are used to produce a myriad of end-use products, including disposable food packaging containers and films; fibers for clothing and fabric; filaments for floor coverings (carpet) and furnishings (upholstery); synthetic rubbers (e.g., tires); belts, hoses, and plastic parts for automotive and appliance applications; clear plastic applications, including eyeglasses and bullet-resistant glass; circuit boards; detergents; herbicides; pesticides; and dyes.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

The World Analysis – ABS Resins provides a comprehensive analysis and key insights into critical market developments as they shape the future outlook for the global ABS Resins market.

The following reports, data files, analytical tools and visualization modules are available online and can be downloaded from our website:

• Direct Access to the Subject Matter Experts
• In-depth exploration of present market strategic insights, recognition of critical challenges, and presentation of our experts’ forecasts and analysis
• Explanatory Notes detailing data sources, methodologies, unit and conversion factors, and World Analysis deliverables.
• Energy and Economy assumptions
• Price, cost, and margin base assumptions forecast and sensitivities analysis, including price assessment methodology and price definitions across all regions.
• Excel data files with standard supply/demand graphics and price forecasts extended to 2050, trade grids with country and regional trade flows Data appendix (Excel) with supply/demand, capacity and trade tables.
• An online dashboard visualization of capacity, supply/demand, trade grids, and price, cost and margin forecasts
• Supply/demand and capacity database access via data browser
• Data Appendix (Excel) with supply/demand and capacity tables
• Capacity by company/shareholder, capacity integration, top producer/consumer and surplus/deficit capacity ranking, and ownership/subsidiary information

In addition to the main product, Methanol, capacity and textual analysis are provided for the following products:

• Acetic Acid
• Biodiesel
• Chloromethanes
• Dimethyl ether
• Formaldehyde
• Gasoline Blending
• Methanol-to-olefins / Methanol-to-Propylene
• Methyl methacrylate
• Methyl tert-butyl ether
• Methylamine
• Methanol as a marine bunker fuel

This World Analysis contains detailed information on capacities, production, demand, and trade for all significant producing and consuming countries and regions. Although data gathering is essential for understanding history and potential future trends, we believe that the interpretation and analysis of the data is the most valuable information to our clients.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050