# Polystyrene and EPS: Feedstocks

Why benzene sets the cost of polystyrene

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/feedstocks/

What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.

PS is almost all styrene, and styrene is about 0.79 t benzene and 0.28 t ethylene per tonne. Benzene dominates cost, so PS economics follow the aromatics chain and crude oil. Middle East and integrated Chinese styrene plants are lowest cost; non-integrated PS makers, like those in India, buy styrene at import parity and live on a conversion margin.

#### Inputs per tonne

| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/) | about 1.0 t styrene per t GPPS; 0.9-0.95 t for HIPS and EPS (indicative); 0.79 t benzene and 0.28 t ethylene per t styrene (styrene tile) | monomer | about 80-90% of cash cost (indicative) | styrene tile; indicative |
| **Polybutadiene rubber (HIPS)** | about 0.07-0.10 t per t HIPS (indicative) | impact modifier | about 8-12% for HIPS (indicative) | indicative |
| [Gas Natural gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/natural_gas/) | about 0.05-0.07 t per t EPS (indicative) | expands beads into foam | about 3-5% for EPS (indicative) | indicative |
| [Br Bromine](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/bromine/) | about 0.5-1% by weight (indicative) | fire safety in insulation | about 1-3% (indicative) | indicative |
| **Electricity and steam** | about 0.15-0.25 MWh and some heat per t (indicative) | polymerisation, devolatilisation, drying | about 3-5% (indicative) | indicative |

#### Who is low-cost, and why

Styrene sets the cost: about 0.79 x benzene plus 0.28 x ethylene plus $100-150/t conversion (styrene tile). With Asian styrene at $1,030/t on 2 Mar 2026 (Platts), a non-integrated PS maker needs roughly $1,150-1,250/t to cover costs (indicative). Integrated Gulf and Chinese styrene-PS sites are lowest cost.

#### Raw materials on the commodity table
[Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/production/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/links/index.md)