Carbon black production technologies, feedstock and process economics are discussed and evaluated.  Detailed process economics for a selection of commercial ASTM N carbon black grades and specialty blacks such as acetylene and thermal blacks are provided.  An overview of global and regional supply and demand of carbon black, as well as market applications by product grade is also included. 

This report discusses the process technologies and production economics for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) which is commercially produced by the oxidation of para-xylene with air followed by purification and recovery/recycle of catalysts and solvents.  Production economics for the United States, Middle East, and China are assessed and regional market analyses are also presented. 

Thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers were developed over the past few decades as a means to bridge the gap between rubber and plastics using olefinic feedstocks.  Covered in this report are in-situ TPOs, compounded TPOs, TPVs, Polyolefin Elastomers and Plastomers, and Olefin Block Copolymers. 

PBT, a commercially important engineering polymer, is commonly made by the direct esterification of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) with 1,4 butanediol (BDO), followed by polycondensation.  This report includes an analysis of PBTs markets, end-uses, and production technologies.  Production economics were prepared for world-scale continuous and batch production plants using composite PBT technologies; both routes from DMT and PTA were modelled.  The analysis was prepared for plants located in the U. S. Gulf Coast, Western Europe, and Coastal China.

Global Polyolefins Technology Report - 2020 provides detailed analysis of developments in polyolefins (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, polypropylene) technology and includes all major licensed technologies, as well as technologies not licensed but important to the polyolefins industry. Focuses on factors within the industry and the external market that shape technology developments and competitive positioning.   

Renewable or green hydrogen is being developed as a working chemical for the renewable fuels and chemicals sector and as fuel for transportation and other applications. Production options explored for several global regions include thermochemical (biomass gasification), bio-methane reforming, electrolytic, and other, advanced pathways.

This techno-economic report reviews the chemistry, properties, technology, and development trends of nitric acid.  The report provides nitric acid economics for several different global locations (USGC, Western Europe, China, and India) under a consistent January 2019 price scenario. An analysis of the nitric acid ROI for stand-alone and ammonia-nitric acid facilities is also provided. The report also offers nitric acid reference lists for major licensors   

This report investigates the various developments in biomass gasification for chemical and energy.  Several commercial technologies are analyzed in depth.  Analyses include technical descriptions and cost of production estimates.

The chemistry, process technology, and production economics for polycarbonate are assessed.  Comparative economics are presented for interfacial, non-phosgene melt (DMC via oxidative carbonylation and via methanolysis of ethylene carbonate), phosgene melt, and isosorbide processes.  A regional market overview is also included.

This report focuses on the approaches used by developers of Crude Oil to Chemicals (COTC) complexes currently being built, which is primarily through reconfiguration of existing bottom of the barrel and VGO conversion technologies to obtain petrochemical yields between 40 and 50 percent.  The report discusses the different technology options, provides case studies for how they are implemented in projects operational or under construction, and contrasts the return on capital employed for COTC complexes versus “conventional” integrated refinery/petrochemical complexes.  Lastly, the report discusses the impact of COTC projects on the refining and petrochemical markets.