Polyamides, often also referred to as nylons, are a major class of engineering thermoplastics that are used in the production of fibers, films and molded articles.  This report evaluates the technologies and economics for both batch and continuous production of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6.  A demand forecast and regional capacity tables are also included.

This report examines the various options for carbohydrate feedstocks. Technology analysis includes crop production and sugar production from carbohydrate crops. Economic Analysis includes cost of production models for sugars (4 corn dextrose models, 3 sugar beet sucrose models, and 4 sugarcane sucrose models in each region as regionally relevant) and crops in the US (2 corn models, sugarbeet, sugarcane), Western Europe (wheat, corn, sugarbeet), Brazil (2 corn models, 2 sugarcane models), Asia (2 corn models in China, and Sugarcane in India). A regional supply analysis is also included. Expected contract pricing for sugars and utilizable intermediates (e.g., thick juice) is also provided.

This report investigates oleaginous biofeedstocks for renewable chemicals and fuels. Descriptions of major oilseeds and crushing technologies to produce oils, as well as developmental natural oil sources are described. Regional cost of production models for oilseeds and crushing to produce oils are also included, as well as regional and country level production data.

Propane dehydrogenation capacity continues to grow at much higher rates than traditional propylene production routes. This report covers major technology licensors and their latest PDH process offerings and includes production economics prepared on a USGC, Western Europe, Middle East, and China basis. Global and regional propylene supply and demand are provided.