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 – Benzene provides a comprehensive analysis and key insights of critical market developments as they shape the future outlook for the global benzene 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
• Supply/demand and capacity database access via online Data Browser
• Capacity by company/shareholder, capacity integration, top producer/consumer and surplus/deficit capacity ranking (updated continuously)
• Data Appendix (Excel) with supply/demand and capacity tables; and a new dashboard with standard graphs for all countries and regions
• Excel data files with standard supply/demand graphics and price forecasts extended to 2050; trade grids with country/territory and region trade flows with 5-year and 10th year forecast
• Online dashboard providing visualization of capacity, capacity integration, supply/demand, trade grids, and price, cost and margin forecasts
• Explanatory Notes detailing data sources, methodologies, unit and conversion factors, and World Analysis deliverables
• Energy and Economy assumptions
• Price assessment methodology

Data is provided for the following products:

• Supply/demand balances:
  • Benzene
• Capacity:
  • Benzene
  • Alkylbenzene
  • Aniline
  • Chlorobenzene
  • Cumene
  • Cyclohexane
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Maleic Anhydride
  • Nitrobenzene

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