This report details the potential uses of fuel grade and calcinable petroleum coke, as well as the processes and chemistry related to their production.  Economic analyses of the potential uses are explored.  A market analysis of both classes is included.

Propane dehydrogenation is emerging as a dominant on-purpose propylene technology.  In this report, fixed-bed, moving-bed, and fluid-bed propane dehydrogenation technologies are described and production economics for both commercial and developmental processes are discussed.  An overview of key economic drivers, propane dehydrogenation developments, and propylene markets is also provided.

This report reviews the ortho-xylene and naphthalene routes to phthalic anhydride (PAN) production as well as details the separation of ortho-xylene from mixed xylenes and the naphthalene distillation from coal tar.  The PAN cost of production via those two routes for plants located in the United States, Western Europe, South Korea, and China has been estimated for the first quarter of 2016.  Nexant also commented on the motivations behind the recent capacity additions and closures and provided a high-level analysis of the business and strategic considerations, as well as the technology availability from the perspective of a company entering or expanding into the PAN market.  This analysis is underpinned by a review of end-use sector consumption as well as regional market dynamics. 

The report provides an analysis of the commercial acetylene-based and ethylene-based technologies for the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), including a review of proprietary processes developed by major VAM producers. Cost of production estimates are included to illustrate the cost competitiveness of different routes in selected regions. A market review including regional capacities and supply/demand figures is also presented.