China to realize propylene self-supply by 2020

Global propylene capacity is expanding rapidly, said Jinsu Yim, manager of IHS Chemical.

In 2000, special propylene capacity was accounted for 3% of global propylene supply. And the ratio was increased to 14% in 2013. With new PDH and CTO projects built up in China, North America and Middle East Areas, the ratio will be lifted to 29% by 2018. 

Jinsu Yim said, special propylene capacity will reach 14.6 million tons in 2015, and raise to 30 million tons by 2020, taking 30% of global propylene capacity by then. After that, it will keep 30% of ratio in a long time.

Newly built propylene capacity are mainly in China and North America. According to analysis from IHS Chemical, China will build up 16 million tons of propylene capacity  during 2015 to 2020, which will increase China's propylene capacity from 2010's 13 million tons/year to 2020's 42 million tons. By then, it will be inevitable effect on propylene price in Asia market.

China's first PDH facility has been put into operation in 2013. And it will reach 11 units of PDH facilities by 2016, and another 11 units have been under study.  

On the other hand, China has 8 units of  CTO/CTP projects and 15 units of MTO/MTP projects come into run by the end of 2015, and another 18 units of  CTO/CTP projects and 4 units of MTO/MTP projects come into run by the end of 2020. By then, China's propylene supply will realize 100% self-supply.