CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

Nearly all ethylbenzene produced in the world is used in the manufacture of styrene; therefore, ethylbenzene demand is determined primarily by styrene production. Styrene is used mostly in polymer production for polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) resins, styrene-butadiene elastomers and latexes, and unsaturated polyester resins. The major styrene markets include packaging, electrical/electronics/appliances, construction and consumer products. Consumption of ethylbenzene for uses other than the production of styrene is estimated to be less than 1%. These applications include use as a solvent and, on occasion, in the production of diethylbenzene, acetophenone and ethyl anthraquinone.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of ethylbenzene:

Global ethylbenzene operating rates declined in 2008 as the global economic recession resulted in diminished styrene demand. In the United States, Western Europe and Japan, producers contended with rising feedstock pricing and oversupply through capacity reductions and the formation of joint ventures. In the Middle East and China, ethylbenzene/styrene capacity continues to increase to meet anticipated demand growth. Central and South American utilization rates were low in 2008 as a result of the completion of Innova’s new ethylbenzene/styrene facility in Triunfo, Brazil, which began operation late in the year, nearly doubling the region’s supply. Global operating rates should improve between 2009 and 2010 as markets slowly recover.

World ethylbenzene demand will increase at an average annual rate of 2.9% from 2008 to 2013. Consumption is expected to grow the fastest in the Middle East and China.