Propylene Oxide price index

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Propylene Oxide price index

This post is a summary of the propylene oxide (methyloxirane) price developments. The price developments of propylene oxide are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Propylene oxide price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for propylene oxide prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of propylene oxide (methyloxirane) prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of propylene oxide (methyloxirane)
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of propylene oxide (methyloxirane) prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the propylene oxide (methyloxirane) market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further information on the Propylene Oxide price chart

What is Propylene oxide

Propylene oxide is a colorless, highly reactive, and flammable organic compound with the chemical formula C3H6O. It is a chiral molecule, meaning it has two mirror-image forms known as enantiomers. Propylene oxide is a versatile chemical that is used as a building block for many other chemicals and materials.

Propylene oxide is primarily produced by the chlorohydrin process, which involves reacting propylene with hypochlorous acid to form propylene chlorohydrin, which is then dehydrochlorinated to form propylene oxide. Another method of producing propylene oxide is the hydroperoxide process, which involves oxidizing propylene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst.

Propylene oxide is used in the production of many products, including polyurethane foams, solvents, coatings, adhesives, and detergents. It is also used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and as a fumigant for grain storage. Propylene oxide is a hazardous substance and must be handled with care due to its flammable and reactive properties.

How is Propylene oxide produced

Propylene oxide (PO) is an important industrial chemical that is primarily produced by two major processes: the chlorohydrin process and the propylene oxide/styrene monomer (PO/SM) process.

Chlorohydrin Process

The chlorohydrin process is an older and less commonly used method for producing PO. In this process, propylene reacts with hypochlorous acid to form propylene chlorohydrin. The propylene chlorohydrin is then dehydrochlorinated with either base or acid to produce propylene oxide. This process produces large amounts of salt and byproducts, which are considered environmentally hazardous.

Propylene Oxide/Styrene Monomer (PO/SM) Process

The PO/SM process is the most common and widely used method for producing PO. In this process, propylene reacts with oxygen and a catalyst to produce propylene oxide. The PO is then used to produce styrene monomer, which is used in the production of polystyrene. The PO/SM process is more efficient and less polluting than the chlorohydrin process.

Both of these processes have their advantages and disadvantages. The chlorohydrin process is cheaper and requires less sophisticated equipment, but produces more byproducts and is less efficient. The PO/SM process is more expensive and requires more sophisticated equipment, but is more efficient and produces fewer byproducts. In recent years, researchers have also been exploring new methods of producing PO, such as using bio-based feedstocks, in order to improve the sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of PO production.

What drives the cost of propylene oxide

The cost of propylene oxide (PO) is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Feedstock prices

Propylene, which is the primary feedstock for PO production, is a byproduct of ethylene production from crude oil or natural gas. The price of propylene is closely tied to the price of crude oil and natural gas, and therefore fluctuations in these prices can have a significant impact on the cost of PO.

Production technology

The technology used to produce PO can affect the cost of production. Newer technologies that are more energy-efficient and produce less waste can lead to lower production costs, while older and less efficient technologies may lead to higher production costs.

Capacity utilization

The utilization rate of PO production facilities can also impact the cost of PO. If production facilities are running at full capacity, the cost of PO may be lower due to economies of scale. However, if there is excess capacity or production is interrupted due to maintenance or other reasons, the cost of PO may increase.

Regulations and taxes

Environmental regulations and taxes can increase the cost of PO production by requiring additional environmental controls or by imposing taxes on polluting industries.

Overall, the cost of propylene oxide can be influenced by a range of economic, technological, and regulatory factors, and can vary over time due to changes in these factors.

What is propylene oxide used for

Propylene oxide (PO) is a versatile chemical that is used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Some of the most common uses of propylene oxide include:

Polyurethane foams

Propylene oxide is a key component in the production of polyurethane foams, which are used in many applications, including insulation, cushioning, and packaging.

Coatings and adhesives

Propylene oxide is used in the production of coatings and adhesives for a variety of applications, including paints, varnishes, and laminates.

Solvents

Propylene oxide can be used as a solvent for a range of chemicals and materials, including resins, oils, and waxes.

Detergents

Propylene oxide is used in the production of detergents as a surfactant, which helps to reduce the surface tension of water and increase the effectiveness of cleaning agents.

Sterilizing agents

Propylene oxide is used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and supplies. It is also used as a fumigant for grain storage.

Synthetic glycols

Propylene oxide is used in the production of synthetic glycols, which are used as heat transfer fluids, antifreeze agents, and hydraulic fluids.

Propylene oxide is also used in the production of many other chemicals and materials, including propylene glycol, propylene carbonate, and glycol ethers. Because of its versatile nature, propylene oxide has a wide range of industrial and consumer applications and is a key component in many products that we use in our daily lives.

What types of propylene oxide are there

There are two main types of propylene oxide (PO) that are commonly used:

Chlorohydrin process propylene oxide

This method involves the reaction of propylene with hypochlorous acid to form propylene chlorohydrin, which is then reacted with a strong base to produce propylene oxide. This process has been used since the 1930s and is still in use today, although it has some disadvantages, including the formation of significant amounts of salt as a byproduct.

Styrene monomer process propylene oxide

This method involves the reaction of propylene with styrene monomer in the presence of a catalyst to form propylene oxide. This process was developed in the 1960s and is now the most widely used method for the production of propylene oxide. It has the advantage of producing less salt as a byproduct compared to the chlorohydrin process.

There are also some newer methods being developed for the production of propylene oxide, including the use of hydrogen peroxide and propylene, which is a greener and more sustainable process. However, these methods are not yet commercially viable on a large scale.

In addition to these production methods, there are different grades of propylene oxide based on their purity and intended use, such as pharmaceutical grade, industrial grade, and specialty grade propylene oxide.

Propylene Oxide market information

According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global propylene oxide market was valued at USD 15.53 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 19.85 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.23% during the forecast period (2021-2026).

The demand for propylene oxide is driven by its wide range of applications in various end-user industries such as automotive, construction, and furniture. The polyurethane foam segment is the largest application for propylene oxide, accounting for a significant portion of the market. The growth in construction and automotive industries, coupled with the increasing demand for insulation materials, is expected to drive the demand for polyurethane foams and, in turn, propylene oxide.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for propylene oxide, accounting for a significant share of the global market. The region’s growth is driven by the increasing demand for propylene oxide from China, India, and Southeast Asian countries due to their rapidly growing economies and increasing industrialization.

In addition, the increasing demand for bio-based propylene oxide, which is produced from renewable resources such as biomass, is expected to provide new opportunities for the growth of the propylene oxide market. Overall, the propylene oxide market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing demand for its various applications and the expanding industrialization in developing countries.

According to https://oec.world/ :

Methyloxirane (propylene oxide) are the world’s 1296th most traded product.

In 2020, the top exporters of Methyloxirane (propylene oxide) were Netherlands ($491M), United States ($373M), Saudi Arabia ($210M), Germany ($185M), and South Korea ($171M).

In 2020, the top importers of Methyloxirane (propylene oxide) were China ($559M), Germany ($338M), Belgium ($300M), Netherlands ($225M), and Chinese Taipei ($109M).

Further information

• Wikipedia for general, history, production and usage information
• PubChem for chemistry and property  information