Customer Logins

Obtain the data you need to make the most informed decisions by accessing our extensive portfolio of information, analytics, and expertise. Sign in to the product or service center of your choice.

Customer Logins

My Logins

All Customer Logins
S&P Global Commodity Insights
  • S&P Global
  • S&P Dow Jones Indices
  • S&P Global Engineering Solutions
  • S&P Global Market Intelligence
  • S&P Global Mobility
  • S&P Global Commodity Insights
  • S&P Global Ratings
  • S&P Global Sustainable1
Close
Discover more about S&P Global’s offerings.
Investor Relations
  • Investor Relations Overview
  • Presentations
  • Investor Fact Book
  • News Releases
  • Quarterly Earnings
  • SEC Filings & Reports
  • Executive Committee
  • Merger Information
  • Governance
  • Stock & Dividends
  • Shareholder Services
  • Contact
English
  • Español
  • 中文网站
  • Português
  • 한국어
  • हिंदी
  • English (Australia)
  • 日本語
Support
  • Get Support
  • System Notifications
  • Delivery Platforms
  • Regulatory Engagement
Login
  • Commodity Insights Login
  • Access IHS Markit Products
Register
  • Commodities
  • Products & Services
  • Methodology
  • Market Insights
  • Energy Transition
  • Events
  • S&P Global
  • S&P Dow Jones Indices
  • S&P Global Engineering Solutions
  • S&P Global Market Intelligence
  • S&P Global Mobility
  • S&P Global Commodity Insights
  • S&P Global Ratings
  • S&P Global Sustainable1
  • Oil Upstream LNG Natural Gas Electric Power Coal Shipping Petrochemicals Metals Agriculture
    Latest in Commodities
    Listen: The future of naphtha and diesel flows after EU sanctions

    What will replace Russian diesel and naphtha flows to Europe after EU sanctions take effect on 5...

    UK's January road fuel sales recover to highest for month since 2020

    The UK's road fuel sales recovered from seasonal lows in January to hit their highest average for...

    China to cut clean oil product exports in Feb amid strong domestic demand

    China's refineries will cut clean oil product exports in February as domestic demand in January was...

  • Oil LNG Natural Gas Electric Power Coal Shipping Petrochemicals Metals Agriculture Energy Transition
    I Need
    Market Insights and Analytics Commodity Prices and Essential Market Data Real-Time News, Prices and Analysis Maps and Geospatial Data Forward Curves and Risk Valuation Data
    Data and Partner Delivery
  • Our Methodology Methodology & Specifications Price Assessments Subscriber Notes Price Symbols Symbol Search & Directories Corrections Complaints
    References
    Market On Close Index Sourced Data (Survey) Methodology Review & Change MOC Participation Guidelines Holiday SEE ALL REFERENCE TOOLS
  • Latest News Headlines All Topics Videos Podcasts Special Reports Infographics Insights Magazine Insight Blog    Research & Analysis Top 250 Rankings   
    Latest in Market Insights
  • PLATTS ANALYTICS PRODUCT PLATFORM
    ACCESS ANALYTICS HUB
  • All Events Webinars Conferences Methodology Education Training and eLearning Forums Global Energy Awards    Global Metals Awards   
    Featured Events
    Forums London Energy Forum
    • 27 Feb 2023
    • London
    Forums CERAWeek
    • 27 Feb 2023
    • London
    Conferences ,Forums FUJCON 2023
    • 13 Mar 2023
    • Fujairah, UAE

Petrochemical Feedstocks

Chemical Economics Handbook

Published July 2022

Fossil fuels (coal, crude oil or petroleum, natural gas liquids, and natural gas) are the primary sources of basic petrochemicals, but only about 9–10% of global fossil fuel production is ultimately used as a petrochemical feedstock; their primary usage remains the production of energy. As such, petrochemical feedstock supply and pricing are heavily influenced by fluctuations in world energy markets. The petrochemical industry typically produces a range of small-sized molecules by subjecting a selected feedstock to a set of chemical reactions. The produced molecules are part of the organic chemistry spectrum as they contain carbon atoms; the sole exception is ammonia, which is produced from natural gas but does not contain any carbon.

This report presents an overview of the world petrochemical feedstock demand situation for natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), petroleum liquid feedstocks (naphtha and gas oil), and coal. NGLs include ethane, propane, butanes, and pentanes plus (C5+), also known as natural gasoline. The choice of feedstock(s) used by a petrochemical unit is a key determinant for the overall economics of production and is, therefore, critical; raw material cost is a major component in the overall cost of production of petrochemical producers.

The following pie chart presents world consumption of petrochemical feedstocks:

Each region has developed its own feedstock specificities depending on the resource and technology available and the characteristics of the domestic markets and environmental standards of the region. In 2021, naphtha remained the largest-volume petrochemical feedstock used globally, followed by natural gas, coal, and ethane. The largest consumers of petrochemical feedstocks are Northeast Asia (largely mainland China), North America (mostly the United States), the Middle East, the CIS and Baltic States, and Western Europe.

Over the past decade, the use of ethane has gained momentum because of the development of new light-fed steam cracking capacity in the Middle East and North America (shale boom). The use of coal for the production of chemicals has also increased over the last decade, driven by the rapid development of the coal chemical industry in mainland China, which has capitalized on its abundant coal reserves to reduce its external dependency on both energy and chemical feedstocks. While the world’s new requirements for fuels is gradually slowing, new technologies are being developed to redesign the overall refinery product slate. New pollution control measures are also modifying mainland China’s coal-to-chemicals strategy. The report analyzes regional trends and changes currently affecting the wider petrochemical industry, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the risks related to the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict.

For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.

S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Petrochemical Feedstocks is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including

Key Benefits

S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Petrochemical Feedstocks has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.

This report can help you

  • Identify trends and driving forces influencing chemical markets
  • Forecast and plan for future demand
  • Understand the impact of competing materials
  • Identify and evaluate potential customers and competitors
  • Evaluate producers
  • Track changing prices and trade movements
  • Analyze the impact of feedstocks, regulations, and other factors on chemical profitability

Go to Customer Login

Email

Buy individual report now

Contact:
customercare@ihsmarkit.com

Find the chemical expertise you need

Contact a chemical expert or request a demo today.
Get started

View Report

Contents

Executive summary 6
Introduction 8
Summary 9
Sources of petrochemicals 14
Production process 16
Natural gas processing 16
Crude oil refining 17
Coal processing 22
Feedstock overview 23
Dry natural gas 23
Natural gas liquids 23
Ethane 24
Propane 24
Butane 24
Natural gasoline 25
Naphtha 25
Gas oil 26
Coal 26
Biomass 27
Price 28
Consumption by region 30
World 30
Natural gas 33
Natural gas liquids 36
Ethane 36
Propane 37
Butane 39
Natural gasoline 41
Naphtha 41
Gas oil 42
Coal 44
North America 45
Natural gas 47
Natural gas liquids 48
Naphtha and gas oil 49
Coal 49
Central and South America 49
Natural gas 51
Natural gas liquids 52
Naphtha and gas oil 52
Coal 53
Western Europe 53
Natural gas 55
Natural gas liquids 55
Naphtha and gas oil 55
Coal 56
Central and Eastern Europe 56
Natural gas 58
Natural gas liquids 59
Naphtha and gas oil 59
Coal 59
CIS and Baltic States 59
Natural gas 61
Natural gas liquids 62
Naphtha and gas oil 62
Coal 63
Middle East 63
Natural gas 64
Natural gas liquids 65
Naphtha and gas oil 66
Coal 66
Africa 66
Natural gas 68
Natural gas liquids 69
Naphtha and gas oil 69
Coal 69
Indian Subcontinent 69
Natural gas 71
Natural gas liquids 72
Naphtha and gas oil 72
Coal 72
Northeast Asia 73
Natural gas 74
Natural gas liquids 75
Naphtha and gas oil 75
Coal 76
Southeast Asia 76
Natural gas 78
Natural gas liquids 78
Naphtha and gas oil 79
Coal 79
Additional resources 80
Revisions 81
Data Workbook 82
Notice 83

Products & Solutions from related industries

Chemical Image

Ammonium Sulfate - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Specialty Adhesives and Sealants - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Catalysts Emission Control - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Thermoplastics, High-Performance - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Coatings, Radiation Curable - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Lubricants, Synthetic - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Coatings, Thermosetting Powder - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chemical Image

Chlorobenzenes - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Cresols, Xylenols and Cresylic Acids - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Dimethylterephthalate (DMT) and Terephthalic Acid (TPA) - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Energy - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Expandable Polystyrene - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA)/Linear Alkylate Sulfonate (LAS) - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Pigments, Organic Color - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Phosphoric Acid - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Polymethyl Methacrylate - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Polyvinyl Alcohol - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Chemical Image

Specialty Chemicals Industry Overview - SCUP

{"items" : [ {"name":"chat","enabled":true,"desc":"Chat Now","mobdesc":"Chat","mobmsg":"Welcome! How can we help you today?"}, {"name":"share","enabled":true,"desc":"<strong>Share</strong>","mobdesc":"Share","options":[ {"name":"facebook","url":"https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.spglobal.com%2fcommodityinsights%2fen%2fci%2fproducts%2fpetrochemical-feedstocks-chemical-economics-handbook.html","enabled":true},{"name":"twitter","url":"https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.spglobal.com%2fcommodityinsights%2fen%2fci%2fproducts%2fpetrochemical-feedstocks-chemical-economics-handbook.html&text=Petrochemical+Feedstocks+-+Chemical+Economics+Handbook+(CEH)+%7c+S%26P+Global","enabled":true},{"name":"linkedin","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.spglobal.com%2fcommodityinsights%2fen%2fci%2fproducts%2fpetrochemical-feedstocks-chemical-economics-handbook.html","enabled":true},{"name":"email","url":"?subject=Petrochemical Feedstocks - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH) | S&P Global&body=http%3a%2f%2fwww.spglobal.com%2fcommodityinsights%2fen%2fci%2fproducts%2fpetrochemical-feedstocks-chemical-economics-handbook.html","enabled":true},{"name":"whatsapp","url":"https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Petrochemical+Feedstocks+-+Chemical+Economics+Handbook+(CEH)+%7c+S%26P+Global http%3a%2f%2fwww.spglobal.com%2fcommodityinsights%2fen%2fci%2fproducts%2fpetrochemical-feedstocks-chemical-economics-handbook.html","enabled":true}]}, {"name":"rtt","enabled":true,"mobdesc":"Top"} ]}
Filter Sort
  • About S&P Global Commodity Insights
  • Media Center
  • Advertisers
  • Locations
  • Get Support
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • History
  • Investor Relations
  • Leadership
  • Glossary
  • © 2023 by S&P Global Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Privacy Policy & Cookie Notice
  • Site Map