IHS: Asia butadiene to tighten on shortage of crude C4s

摘要

Butadiene demand in Asia will grow more quickly over the next few years than supply, which will be constrained by the availability of crude C4, says IHS Chemical. On-purpose production of butadiene will increase to help make up the difference. Asian demand for butadiene has been weak since the second half of 2013 mainly because of the low consumption of synthetic rubber from the tire industry, tied to weak GDP growth, according to the 20 May issue of IHS Chemical's Market Advisory Service: Global C4 Olefins and Elastomers. Asia's butadiene capacity totaled 6.7 million m.t. in 2013, and production totaled 5.3 million m.t., for an average plant operating rate of 79%, the report says. If GDP growth improves as forecast, butadiene demand will increase at more typical rates for the next few years. The supply of crude C4 is expected to fall behind, however, owing to reduced imports and a changing steam cracker feedslate, and the regional butadiene operating rate will consequently remain below 80%, IHS Chemical says.