Propylene oxide: Feedstocks
Why the choice of oxidant decides the cost
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.PO is made from propylene (from crude oil or propane) plus an oxidant: chlorine (from salt), hydrogen peroxide (from natural gas-derived hydrogen) or a hydroperoxide from ethylbenzene, isobutane or cumene. The route sets co-product exposure and cost.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Crude oil | about 0.75-0.8 t per t PO (indicative) | main carbon source | about 50-60% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative |
| Gas Natural gas | about 0.6 t H2O2 (100%) per t PO in HPPO (indicative) | oxidant | about 20-25% in HPPO (indicative) | indicative |
| NaCl Salt | about 1.4 t chlorine per t PO in chlorohydrin (indicative) | oxidant route | about 20-30% in chlorohydrin (indicative) | indicative |
| CaO Lime | about 1 t per t PO (indicative) | dehydrochlorination | small | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Large integrated HPPO and PO/SM units in China and the Gulf are low cost. Small chlorohydrin units and older European assets are high cost, especially when environmental compliance is counted.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| PU Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols) | about 65% via polyols (indicative) |
| UPR Unsaturated polyester resins | via propylene glycol |
| SM Styrene | co-product of PO/SM |
| MTBE MTBE | from PO/TBA co-product |