Energy storage is growing in importance, and falling in cost, as solar PV, wind, and other renewables become a greater part of generation, and the grid becomes more sophisticated; batteries are a key type of solution, and flow batteries offer many advantages for large-scale and behind the meter storage. This report examines the global market trends, scenarios and opportunities for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the next 5-10 years, as well as the current and projected technoeconomics of flow batteries in terms of levelized cost of storage and total investment cost.

This report is a comprehensive study of the three major specialty isocyanates: HDI, IPDI and H12MDI.  Detailed analyses of the process technologies used for the production of these isocyanates and their feedstocks are included, in addition to cost of production estimates for each isocyanate and sensitivity analyses for the cost of production.  The report also provides an overview of industry trends, commercial applications for the isocyanates and global market dynamics.

The chemistry, process technology, and production economics for linear alpha olefins are assessed.  Comparative economics are presented for full-range technologies (Chevron Phillips, INEOS, Shell, SABIC/Linde, Axens, Idemitsu) and on-purpose production of butene-1 (Axens, Zeon), hexene-1 (Chevron Phillips, Axens, Sasol), and octene-1 (Dow, Sasol).  A regional market overview is also included.

The process technology and production economics for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) resin, rods and yarn are presented.  Cost of production estimates have been developed on a USGC, China, Western Europe, and Japan basis.  Demand by end use, and capacity analysis is provided for major global regions for UHMWPE resin.

This techno-economic report focuses on the process technologies for meta-xylene recovery and key derivative isophthalic acid.  The IPA market has grown both from expansion of the PET industry and through increasing demand for adhesives and sealants.  The IPA industry consists of a handful of players, with about nine producers in seven countries.  The industry has mostly developed through the conversion of old PTA facilities and swing PTA/IPA operation.  The report profiles the major global technology holders, provides process economics for different production routes, and summarizes commercial applications and market drivers for isophthalic acid. 

This report reviews current and developing technologies for xylenes production.  Cost estimates have been developed for para-xylene production via a number of processes and for meta-xylene production via UOP MX Sorbex technology in the USGC, coastal China, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Middle East.  Commercial end-use applications; global and regional supply/demand/trade data are also included.

This TECH report focuses on the technology for the recycling of multilayer packaging, sorting of mixed plastics, compatibilization process and production of post-consumer plastics-asphalt mixtures. The report provides an estimate of the cost of production for sorting of mixed plastic waste using NIR, Laser, electrostatic separation, and the compatibilization process (for U.S. and Western Europe). Major suppliers for optical sorting equipment, major suppliers of compatibilizers, and technology holders for selective dissolution process are profiled.  

This techno-economic report focuses on cryogenic and non-cryogenic air separation technologies that separate air into commodity gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.  Five players dominate the global market, but many regional suppliers also compete on a local level, providing consumers with many supply choices.  The report profiles the major global licensors, describes cryogenic and non-cryogenic technologies to produce oxygen and nitrogen, provides process economics for different production routes, and summarizes commercial applications and market drivers for air separation gases.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful oxidizing agents known.  Global demand is forecast to grow by 4.7 percent per annum on average, well above GDP level.  Nearly all capacity is based on the anthraquinone auto-oxidation process.  However, most R&D efforts are directed toward developing a direct synthesis route (i.e., without the use of an anthraquinone working compound).  Thus, the cost of production via those routes for plants located in the United States, Western Europe, the Middle East, and China has been estimated for the second quarter of 2019.  The report also comments on the motivations behind the recent capacity additions 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 hydrogen peroxide market.  This analysis is underpinned by a review of end-use sector consumption as well as regional market dynamics.

This techno-economic report reviews the chemistry, properties, technology, and development trends of acrylic acid and esters.  The report provides crude and glacial acrylic acid and commodity acrylates economics for several different global locations (USGC, Western Europe, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia) under a consistent first quarter 2019 price scenario. Regional market analyses for acrylic acid and commodity acrylate esters are also included.