Propylene world consumption

Current global production of propylene stands at about 54 million metric tons per year (tpy) and is valued roughly at 17 billion. The bulk of propylene production and consumption is concentrated in North America, Western Europe, and Japan. These areas represent about 68% of world capacity and 70% of demand. Propylene demand is expected to grow fast and to nearly double in the next 10 yr, reaching more than 91 million tons by 2010 at a growth rate of 4.7%/yr.P Because world consumption is forecast to grow faster than production capacity, propylene has been termed as olefin of the future. This increase is driven by the demand for derivatives, especially polypropylene. 

Figure 6.12.8 World consumption of propylene oxide by end use in 2005. Data from Devanney (2006).

Chlorine cannot be stored economically or moved long distances. International movements of bulk chlorine are more or less limited to movements between Canada and the United States. In 1987, chlorine moved in the form of derivatives was 3.3 million metric tons or approximately 10% of total consumption (3). Exports of ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, poly(vinyl chloride), propylene oxide, and chlorinated solvents comprise the majority of world chlorine movement. Countries or areas with a chlorine surplus exported in the form of derivatives include Western Europe, Bra2il, USA, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Countries with a chlorine deficit are Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Vene2uela, South Africa, Thailand and Japan (3). 

Propylene is one of the main building blocks for petrochemicals and for clean fuel alkylate blends. It is used in the production of a wide variety of petrochemical products such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile, cumene, oxo-alcohols, propylene oxide, acrylic acid, isopropyl alcohol, and polygas chemicals. Polypropylene accounts for about half of the world propylene consumption, which consequently drives the demand. Other uses of propylene within a refinery include alkylation, catalytic polymerization, and dimerization for the production of high-octane gasoline blends. In general, propylene is supplied in three separate quality grades refinery ( 70%), chemical ( 92 to 96%), and polymer (99.6%). 

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