# Styrene: Feedstocks

Why benzene sets almost the whole cost

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

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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/) | indirect | ultimate feed | included above | indicative |
| [Gas Natural gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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 oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[Gas Natural gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/natural_gas/)

#### What it is made into

| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| [PS Polystyrene and EPS](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polystyrene/) | about 42% of styrene |
| [ABS ABS](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/abs/) | about 22% with SAN |
| [SBR Styrene-butadiene rubber](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sbr/) | tyres |
| [UPR Unsaturated polyester resins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/upr/) | reactive diluent |

## Other sections

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