This report examines the technical, economic, and strategic aspects of thermal conversion (e.g., pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment) technologies that are used to recycle mixed plastics waste. Selected developers of technologies were profiled and ranked under different criteria. The economic analysis of thermal conversion technologies, involving the production of feedstocks for olefins are provided for different geographic regions. In addition, the report includes an analysis of the plastic-based naphtha delivered cost competitiveness to Western Europe from the USGC, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. An ethylene carbon intensity analysis is provided. Strategic and business considerations are also included in the report.

The petrochemical industry has added over one billion tons of annual production capacity over the last decade, overwhelming demand in some sectors. But as consumption catches up, where will the next investment opportunities be? This report uses cost curve analysis to understand production cost competitiveness and couples results with offtake options to various demand centers, regional price and demand forecasts, and capital investment to provide insight into potential project margins, profitability, and return on investment for products in the major petrochemical value chains including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, aromatics, and their key derivatives.

NexantECA is pleased to announce the launch of a new series of Executive Leadership reports focused on sustainability.  These reports will help Executives navigate the evolving dynamics and implications of a sustainable focused future within the chemical industry, as well as provide assessment of recent industry announcements. NexantECA will share our opinions and give an independent review of technology assumptions.Our first report is the "Impact of a Carbon Tax on Plastics Manufacturing Competitiveness". 

This report examines the technical, economic and business aspects of thermolysis (i.e., pyrolysis and gasification) of mixed plastics waste. Analyses of the mixed plastics waste and the thermolysis plant location are included in the report. Selected developers of pyrolysis and gasification technologies are profiled and ranked under different criteria. The economic analysis of thermolysis technologies (involving the production of syn-naphtha and methanol) and olefins production (i.e., ethylene and byproduct propylene) are provided for different geographic regions. In addition, the report includes an analysis of the regional competitiveness and profitability in the USGC, WE, and China of olefins production compared with various oil price scenarios. Strategic and business considerations are also included in the report.