It is likely that MTBE will be discontinued for use as a fuel oxygenate in the U.S. This report examines some potential oxygenated replacements based on a number of criteria. A forecast for the supply/demand of MTBE is also included.

Chemistry, process technology, and production economics for maleic anhydride manufacture is presented. Both air based and oxygen based process technology is compared. Market supply/demand forecast is also given.

Process technology and production economics for LLDPE manufacture. Gas phase (BP Amoco, Elenac, Mitsui, Montell, Univation), Solution (Dow, DSM, Nova), Phillip' slurry are presented. Developments in metallocene and easy processable grades are discussed/assessed.

Technology, economics, and industry structure for polymer compounding. Regional breakdown of compounding by polymer and volumes.

Technology and economics for production of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. Regional supply/demand data presented.

Speculative process and economics for on-purpose production of Solutia's nitrous oxide process. Effect of downstream phenol process is also assessed.

Speculative process and economics of BASF process for converting butadiene to oxo alcohols. Regional supply/demand forecasts.

The process technology and economics of Energy Biosystems Corporation biodesulfurization process. Comparison to conventional HDS process is provided.

Technology and regional cost of production economics for thermoplastic elastomers: SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS. Regional supply/demand forecasts.

Chemistry, technology, and economics of aliphatic isocyanate production (IPDI -both phosgene and urea based routes; HDI, H12MDI, XDI, t-CHDI, TMXDI, TMI, TMHDI, and NBDI). Regional supply/demand forecasts.