# Propylene oxide: Feedstocks

Why the choice of oxidant decides the cost

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/propylene_oxide/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.

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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/natural_gas/) | about 0.6 t H2O2 (100%) per t PO in HPPO (indicative) | oxidant | about 20-25% in HPPO (indicative) | indicative |
| [NaCl Salt](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/salt/) | about 1.4 t chlorine per t PO in chlorohydrin (indicative) | oxidant route | about 20-30% in chlorohydrin (indicative) | indicative |
| [CaO Lime](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/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 oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)

#### What it is made into

| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| [PU Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/) | about 65% via polyols (indicative) |
| [UPR Unsaturated polyester resins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/upr/) | via propylene glycol |
| [SM Styrene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/styrene/) | co-product of PO/SM |
| [MTBE MTBE](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/mtbe/) | from PO/TBA co-product |

## Other sections

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