PETROCHEMICALS MARKET ANALYSIS

Petrochemicals are chemical compounds derived from hydrocarbons, mainly crude oil and natural gas. They can also be obtained from various renewable materials such as sugarcane and corn. Petrochemicals are classified on the basis of their chemical structure, namely, olefins, aromatics, and synthesis gas hydrocarbon. Olefin hydrocarbons include ethylene and propylene, while benzene, toluene and xylene belong to the category of aromatic hydrocarbons. Various process such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), steam cracking, and catalytic reforming employed in refineries and chemicals plants to obtain the desired product. Petroleum products form an integral aspect of daily life and find major demand across various end-use industries. Moreover, petrochemicals products find application in various everyday use products such as clothes, houses, automobiles, tooth brush, furniture, irrigation, household items, synthetic detergents, packaging, electronics, performance products, and medical equipment.

Global Petrochemicals Market Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global market is classified into:

• Ethylene
• Polyethylene
• Ethyl benzene
• Ethylene oxide
• Others
• Propylene
• Propylene oxide
• Polypropylene
• Isopropanol
• Others
• Butadiene
• Styrene
• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
• Butadiene
• Others
• Benzene
• Cyclohexane
• Nitrobenzene
• Ethyl benzene
• Others
• Xylene
• Toluene
• Solvents
• Benzene
• Xylenes
• Others
• Vinyl
• Styrene
• Polystyrene
• Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
• Unsaturated polyester resins
• Others
• Methanol
• Gasoline
• Acetic acid
• Formaldehyde
• Others

On the basis of manufacturing processes, the global market is classified into,

• Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)
• Steam cracking
• Catalytic reforming

On the basis of geographic region, the global market is classified into:

• North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• U.K.
• Germany
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Russia
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• ASEAN
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America
• Middle East
• GCC Countries
• Israel
• Rest of Middle East
• Africa
• Northern Africa
• Central Africa
• South Africa

Global Petrochemicals Market Outlook – Oversupply of Crude and Subsequent Decline in Prices Creates Favorable Environment for Market Growth

Large volume of feedstock or raw materials available in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and rapid development of shale gas exploration in the North American region, primarily in the U.S. and Canada, is expected to create a highly conducive environment for growth of the global petrochemicals market. China is one of the largest consumers of petrochemical products. Rampant growth of various end-use industries is expected to fuel demand for petroleum products, especially in emerging economies of Asia Pacific, such as India and China. As per data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2017, total liquid fuel consumption in Asia Pacific reached 33.3 million barrels per day (bpd), with China accounting for 80% of the consumption in the region. Moreover, rapid advancement in the shale gas technology such as the hydro fracturing technology is being explored in the U.S. and Canada to extract petroleum. These factors, in turn, are projected to provide high growth traction to the global petrochemicals market.

Global Petrochemicals Market challenges – Fluctuation of raw materials price and transformation towards green energy

Natural gas, coal, and crude are primary building blocks of petrochemicals industry. While currently the global crude oil production is at an all-time high, the market is subjected to high fluctuations in production and pricing. This volatility is a major challenge for players in the global petrochemicals market. The market is undergoing a trend of oversupply in feed stock due to large production volumes by the OPEC and Russia. This along with the economic crisis in 2009, has led to rapid decline in demand for crude oil in Europe and Japan. Consumer inclination towards green energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy, further inhibits market growth.

Key players in the market include BASF SE, Sinopec Limited, ExxonMobil, The Dow Chemical Company, Shell Chemical Company, SABIC, LyondellBasell Industries, Total S.A., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and SNPC, INEOS, and Reliance Industries.

Key Developments

1. Major companies in the market are involved in various growth strategies such as collaboration and partnership, in order to gain competitive edge in the global market. For instance, in January 2019, BASF SE, the German-based chemicals producers, and Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, collaborated to form a joint venture of petrochemical production hub in Gujarat, India.
2. Key players in the market are focused on various strategies such as partnership and agreement, in order to enhance their market position. For instance, in May 2019, GAIL Limited, a natural gas processing and distribution company, entered into an agreement with ExxonMobil, a U.S.-based oil and natural gas company, to supply natural gas to power and transportation sector in India.
3. Major companies in the market are adopting various strategies such as capacity. expansion, in order to expand their product portfolio and enhance their market position. For instance, January 2019, Shell Chemical LP (Shell) started the production of fourth alpha olefins unit in its Louisiana, U.S. chemicals manufacturing site.