Shell foresees a long term future for styrene and derivatives in Asia Pacific, attributed to a very challenging and competitive market. If benzene prices weaken as supply increases, the region is predicted to see a shift in value towards styrene and its derivatives. China will continue at the major global growth engine for styrenics. Despite significant investment in new styrene capacity, feedstock constraints will keep China dependent on very significant levels of imports in the long term. Shell believes the strong growth in Asia Pacific demand for both styrene and propylene oxide will continue to create attractive opportunities for new SMPO investments. SMPO remains highly competitive due to the strong propylene oxide value chain and a production technology that offers integrated producers both cost and environmental advantages - including lower CO2 emissions, better energy efficiency and wastewater recycling - which are significantly better than alternative technologies for separate styrene and propylene oxide production.
27-Jun-08 
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