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. 

This report analyzes developments in bio-based lubricant base oils technologies.  Base oils derived from bio-based materials or processes can potentially improving the GHG profile of industries (including transportation).  This study assesses the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing bio-lubes and the corresponding downstream polymers.

This report analyzes developments in bio-based polypropylene technologies.  Polypropylene derived from bio-based materials or processes can improve the GHG profile of the process.  This study assesses the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing polypropylene from biological sources.

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based isobutylene technologies.  Isobutylene derived from bio-based materials or processes can be converted into a number of chemical products—potentially improving the GHG profile of the process, including everything from rubber, to personal care products, to flavors and fragrances.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing isobutylene.

The report provides an overview of hydrocarbon resin process chemistry and a comparison of commercial technologies for different types of hydrocarbon resins.  Cost of production estimates are included in selected regions for synthetic petroleum hydrocarbon resins (aliphatic, aromatic, waterwhite and polyterpenes) and natural hydrocarbon resins (rosin).  A market review including regional capacities and supply/demand analysis is also presented for synthetic petroleum hydrocarbon resins.

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.

This  report provides a technical and economic review of phosphate and NPK technologies. Comparative economics for different global locations (USGC, China, and the Middle East) are presented for the production of monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, and NPK 16.5-16.5-16.5  via a slurry granulation processes, as well as the the production of NPK 16.5-16.5-16.5 using nitrophosphate technology. A regional market analysis for ammonium phosphates and triple superphosphate is also included.

Commercial oxo alcohols production technologies (hydroformylation/hydrogenation) are reviewed, with a focus on n-butanol, 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH), 2-propylheptanol (2-PH), and isononanol (INA).  Reviews current developments in oxo alcohols catalyst and process technology, global supply and demand for n-butanol, 2-EH, and isobutanol.  Includes strategic analysis of technical and market outlook for oxo alcohols with a focus on prospects for market entry.

This report addresses the production of ethylene copolymers (including EVA, acid copolymers, acrylate copolymers, ionomers, and grafted LDPE copolymers) in high pressure polyethylene plants.  The chemistry, process technology and market forecasts for EVA, EMA, EEA, EBA, EAA, EMAA, ionomers, and grafted copolymers are also discussed.  Production economics comparing homopolymer LDPE production and various LDPE copolymers are presented for both tubular and autoclave production processes.

This report provides a technical and economic review of formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin production technologies.  Comparative cost of production estimates in the USGC, China and Western Europe are presented for formaldehyde processes using metal oxide and silver catalysts, as well as for batch processes to produce PF, UF and MF resins.  A brief regional market overview is also included.