Styrene: Feedstocks
Why benzene sets almost the whole 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.Styrene is made from benzene and ethylene, so it inherits both naphtha and ethane economics. Feedstock is about 85-90% of cash cost. Producers with captive benzene and cheap ethylene, such as Gulf ethane crackers and integrated Chinese complexes, sit at the bottom of the cost curve.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | about 0.79 t (indicative) | aromatic ring | about 65-70% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative |
| Ethylene | about 0.28 t (indicative) | vinyl group | about 20% (indicative) | indicative |
| Oil Crude oil | indirect | ultimate feed | included above | indicative |
| Gas Natural gas | indirect; dehydrogenation steam about 2-3 t per t styrene (indicative) | ethylene feed and energy | energy about 5-10% (indicative) | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Middle East plants with ethane-based ethylene and integrated Chinese megacomplexes are lowest cost. US producers are mid-curve with cheap ethylene but must buy benzene. European naphtha-based producers sit at the top and have been closing.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilGas Natural gasWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| PS Polystyrene and EPS | about 42% of styrene |
| ABS ABS | about 22% with SAN |
| SBR Styrene-butadiene rubber | tyres |
| UPR Unsaturated polyester resins | reactive diluent |