Growth in South and Central America to Outpace China, While Asia-Pacific Continues to be the Major Volume Contributor

Wednesday 16 January 2013, Amsterdam

Global demand for ethylbenzene in 2000 amounted to 20,503,469 tons, which increased to 25,092,205 in 2011. Global demand for ethylbenzene has increased over the last decade due to increased consumption in the global styrene derivatives market. The usage of polystyrene and Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) for packaging, construction and electronic appliances increased demand for styrene, which in turn increased ethylbenzene consumption in the form of styrene.

China and India to Lead Global Ethylbenzene Demand Growth During the Forecast Period
At a global level, production of and demand for ethylbenzene has been dominated by developed countries during most of historic period. However, large capacity additions for aromatic plants in China have increased the global share held by the Asia-Pacific region, whereas the relatively developed markets in South Korea and Japan already held substantial shares of the global market. Given that there has been such rapid growth in China, the Asia-Pacific region has rapidly emerged as the largest global ethylbenzene consumer over the last decade. China and India are expected to represent the majority of ethylbenzene demand growth in the region during the forecast period.

Changing Global Dynamics in Petrochemical Feedstock may Impact Ethylbenzene Market Scenario
There have been many feedstock variations in the global petrochemicals market over the last decade. The evolution of various new and viable options in the global petrochemicals market has changed the scenario for global petrochemical dominance and productivity potential. Inexpensive crude oil availability in the Middle East, the abundant availability of coal based processes in China and shale gas technology in the US has revolutionized the aliphatic petrochemical industry over the last decade.. These changes in China and the US have reduced the reliance of petrochemicals upon lighter naphtha.