The chemistry, process technology and production economics for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) are presented.  Conventional PTA technology is described along with several improved PTA technologies offered for license.  Licensors have advanced the integration of heat recovery, energy recovery, and water usage to provide measurable improvements over the conventional process.  Cost of production estimates for technologies on both a USGC & regional basis are provided as well as regional PTA supply and demand.

Biorenewable Insights: Propylene Glycol - Capacity and Economic  Updates for Q4 2014

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the technology, economics, and markets for the production of ethoxylates.  Commercial process technologies based on both the conventional stirred tank reactor system and representative loop reactor systems are discussed.  Cost of production estimates of these production routes are included to illustrate the cost competitiveness of different ethoxylate products in selected regions.  A market review including regional ethoxylation capacities and supply/demand figures is also presented.

This report provides a deep technical review of the commercial and developing acrylonitrile technologies.  The economics of the propylene, propane and glycerol ammoxidation processes have been estimated for acrylonitrile plants located in the United States, Western Europe, South-East Asia and China, where capacity is increasing rapidly.  As about a million tons of new capacity is expected to come on stream between 2014 and 2019, 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 acrylonitrile market has been included in this report. This analysis is underpinned by a review of end-use sector consumption as well as regional market dynamics.

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based naphtha technologies. Naphtha derived from bio-based sources can be converted into a number of polymer and chemical products - with potential to improve the GHG footprint of the process.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing naphtha via bio-based sources, and to investigate future capacities.

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in natural oil production technologies. Natural oils (e.g., vegetable oils and animal fats) can be converted into a number of oleochemical, petrochemical, and fuel products - with potential to improve the GHG footprint of the process.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing natural oils.     

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based isobutanol technology. Isobutanol derived from bio-based sources can be converted into a number of chemical products or used as a fuel additive - with potential to improve the GHG footprint.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing isobutanol via bio-based sources, and to investigate future capacities.     

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based alpha olefin and LAO (linear alpha olefin) technology. LAOs derived from bio-based sources can be converted into a number of chemical products - with potential to improve the GHG footprint of the process.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing LAOs via bio-based sources, and to investigate future capacities.     

The purpose of this report is to analyze developments in bio-based succinic acid technologies. Succinic acid derived from bio-based sources can be converted into a number of polymer and chemical products—with potential to improve the GHG footprint of the process.  The purpose of this study is to assess the technical, commercial, and economic aspects of producing succinic acid via bio-based sources, and to investigate future capacities.

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) are a set of polymers that have the ability to absorb liquids many times their own weight. This report analyzes various technological and commercial aspects of SAP, and provides an overview of the commercial and developing technologies for SAP production. Cost of production estimates have been developed for both solution and suspension process plants located in USGC, Western Europe and China. Commercial applications and global market outlook are also included.