The global chlor-alkali industry is locked in turbulent times. As efforts by producers to mitigate the sector’s long-term availability issues have—and continue to—come to fruition, geopolitical wranglings and economic issues have become the main drivers for commerce. And, that sales of a chlor-alkali derivative to European buyers might constitute anti-competitiveness indicates discord at the market's core. The European Commission is assessing whether imports of chlorine's major downstream product PVC infringed the rights of European producers to carry out business competitively. This perfect ..read more

Maleic anhydride is an important intermediate chemical. Currently, capacity to produce is in excess of 5000 ktpa globally. Over two-thirds of the producing plants and facilities are located in China. Used in production processes for a plethora of products including coatings, paints and lubricating oil additives, barely an area of chemistry industry exists without its input.  China’s capacity to produce maleic anhydride has increased significantly this decade—and is set to grow more. North America is the second largest producer, followed by Northeast Asia and West Europe ..read more

Phthalic anhydride is used to produce phthalate-based PVC plasticizers, resins and coatings.   Orthoxylene is the key feedstock for manufacturing phthalic anhydride, which can also be produced from naphthalene. Whatever the process route, the alkyd resins used in coatings and unsaturated polyester resins rely on a stable, economical supply of phthalic anhydride. And in this way, markets for orthoxylene and phthalic anhydride are inextricably linked.   And as economic pressures—including inflation and interest rate rises—continue to disrupt chemicals sector supply chains, both are be ..read more

A flurry of chemicals deals were signed and sealed at the start of the new year. In part, activity was triggered by fear that the US Gulf Coast chill would escalate. But the ongoing issues with Panama Canal crossings and concern over Houthi rebels targeting shipments in the Red Sea played a part too. For those wondering whether these matters created markets for buyers or sellers, it is likely the answer is neither. This latest geopolitical catastrophe—namely dangers to ships on their way to passage through the Suez Canal—is just another unwanted impact factor the chemicals sector must navigat ..read more

Tecnon OrbiChem has attended the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers’ springtime event—the International Petrochemical Conference—since the last millennium. And as one of the world's first petrochemical-focused consultancies, we have always had a wealth of insight and expertise to share with our contacts there. This year, colleagues from our parent company ResourceWise and the recently acquired US-based consultancy Chemical Intelligence are joining us at the Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. Chemical Intelligence monitors glycols (MEG, DEG and TEG), methanol, and solvents ..read more

As the world looks to meet the Net Zero aspirations considered vital to a sustainable future, plastics occupy an increasingly precarious position.  At almost a century since their inception, petroleum-based plastics remain vital to modern life. That criticality means many millions of euros are being pumped into assuring their future.  But, to borrow a line from Burkhard Ohs of Finnish oils refinery company Neste, “compared to other industries, plastics cannot be decarbonized, but only de-fossilized”. In fact, this observation within Ohs’s co-presentation to the hundreds of dele ..read more

PET industry participants in Europe and North America are locked in a fight for survival. What can the PET sector do to improve its outlook for 2024? What are the key factors in improving PET operating rates going forward? Increasing final demand for PET products is one key factor—closely related to wider economic and business landscapes. The outcome of ongoing competition regulation is also a contributing factor. Lastly, the future development of protectionism measures, and their impacts, will be key.  But ensuring reasonably low paraxylene (PX) price gaps with Asian imports to the ..read more

It is two centuries since French scientist Michel Chevreul described the oleochemical glycerine in a patent. An organic chemistry founder, Chevreulwas exploring fatty acids and alkali-treated fats to advance soap-making. The following century, glycerine combined withnitric and sulfuric acid formed nitrogylcerine—a dangerously shock-sensitive explosive—stabilised by Alfred Nobel to commercialise dynamite. Dynamite comprised half the 8000 tons of explosives that carved the Panama Canal out of the Americas mountain ranges. The new millennium further transformed this versatile compound's profile ..read more

During a particularly poignant moment in Apple TV's drama series The Morning Show, UBA weatherman Yanko Flores defines El Niño. It is, he laments, “the harbinger that throws everything out of whack”. Expect droughts, floods, storms and huge global events in the Peruvian weather phenomenon’s wake, he warns. And since El Niños often precipitate port closures, shipping delays and spiralling cargo costs, Flores might have added supply chain woe to his list of pending disruption ..read more

The chemical industry, the high-volume sector of the industry in particular, pivots on the conversion of fairly inert carbonaceous matter into chemically active materials. This output is achieved through the application and absorption of energy. But that very energy also comes from carbonaceous matter via combustion, which releases carbon dioxide. Much of today’s research effort is directed at finding alternative ways of providing that energy input. That is the objective of the endeavors to move to sustainable methods of chemicals production. The main alternative energy source under explorati ..read more