Polycarbonate

A clear, near-unbreakable engineering plastic made from bisphenol A, used in electronics, car lighting, glazing and medical devices; China's build-out has flattened margins.

Pseudo-commodities · Engineering plastics · No. 54

• Single chemical
• Feedstock: Oil, gas or coal
• about 5.2 Mt of demand including blends (2024)
• 3.4 t CO₂e per t
• HS 390740

Clear enough to replace glass and tough enough for safety helmets, polycarbonate went from record margins to a Chinese glut.

Chart: Illustration: Polycarbonate

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Bisphenol A is linked either with phosgene in a solvent, or with diphenyl carbonate in a melt route that avoids phosgene. It transmits about 88-90% of light at 3 mm.

Three things to know

1. Global demand including blends passed 5 Mt for the first time in 2024, at 5.2 Mt, against about 7.7 Mt of capacity.
2. China went from 5 to 17 plants and doubled its exports from about 250 kt to 500 kt a year.
3. India imports all its polycarbonate, more than 300 kt a year, until Deepak's 165 kt Dahej plant arrives.

The journey

1. 1 Phenol, acetoneFrom benzene and propylene via cumene
2. 2 Bisphenol A0.84 t phenol, 0.26 t acetone
3. 3 Carbonate sourcePhosgene or diphenyl carbonate
4. 4 PolymerisationAbout 0.9 t BPA per tonne
5. 5 Compounds, sheetBlends, glazing, lenses and housings

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