World Analysis - Styrene

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

Polystyrene is the largest styrene derivative but has been growing well below global GDP growth over the past 20 years. As polystyrene becomes a smaller part of styrene demand, styrene growth will eventually reflect the faster growing derivatives, such as expandable polystyrene (EPS) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Over the longer term, the impact of sustainability policies will affect virgin styrene demand. In the European Union, investments have been driven by the 2030 target to reuse 30% of all polymer production. Across the world, countries are establishing regulatory targets for recycling content and/or implementing bans and extended producer responsibility. While the initial focus is on the development of chemical recycling of Polystyrene and EPS, the establishment of circularity in the styrene chain will require advancements in collection, sorting, processing, and testing of new materials with recycled content.

Practically all commercially produced styrene comes from manufacturing processes that start with benzene and ethylene. Both major feedstocks have some important characteristics. Benzene is a liquid that is easily transported. It comprises approximately 80% of the styrene molecule by mass and is an important component of the cost of styrene. By comparison, ethylene is only about 20% of the styrene molecule by mass, but it is a gas and is difficult to transport. For this reason, styrene plants are typically located close to ethylene crackers.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

Overview

• Maximize negotiating leverage with forward-looking country-specific supply-demand data.
• Develop a winning strategy based on growth projections of market segments worldwide.
• Gain clarity evaluating investment opportunities and analyzing market leadership out to 2050.
• Mitigate risk with data about emerging international trade flows.

Data Included

The World Analysis – Styrene provides a comprehensive analysis and key insights of critical market developments as they shape the future outlook for the global styrene market.

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

• Report outlining key strategic insights and the future shape of global and regional markets.
• Data Appendix (Excel) with supply/demand and capacity tables
• 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, and price assessment methodology.
• Excel data files with standard supply/demand graphics, trade grids, and price forecasts
• Online dashboard providing visualization of capacity, supply/demand and price, cost and margin forecasts.
• Supply/demand, capacity and price/economics database access via data browser (from 1990 to 2050)
• Capacity by company/shareholder, capacity integration, top producer/consumer and surplus/deficit capacity ranking

In addition to the main product(s), styrene capacity and textual analysis is provided for the following products:

• ABS Resins, Ethylbenzene, Expandable Polystyrene (EPS), K-Resins, MBS, Other Styrene Derivatives, Polystyrene, SAN Resins, Styrene Butadiene Latex, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (emulsion & solution), Thermoplastic Elastomers, Unsaturated Polyester Resins

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 the understanding of history and potential future trends, we believe that the interpretation and analysis of the data is the most valuable part for our clients.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050