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Abstract |
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Essentially all cumene worldwide is consumed for the production of phenol and acetone. As a result, demand for cumene is strongly tied to the phenol market. Trade in cumene accounts for only 4% of world production. The largest exporters of cumene are the United States (to Germany and the Netherlands) and Japan (to the Republic of Korea). Taiwan also imports large volumes of cumene for phenol production.
Increased demand for bisphenol A and phenolic resins will result in strong demand for phenol in Asia (excluding Japan). As a result, consumption of cumene for phenol is forecast to grow rapidly in the region. China is forecast to add significant cumene capacity during 2007–2012 to supply its phenol/acetone plants that are slated to come on stream during the same period. Downstream bisphenol A and polycarbonate plants are also planned in the region. The world cumene operating rate was good in 2007, and as long as phenol/acetone demand remains high for bisphenol A and phenolic resins, the world operating rate should remain healthy (also taking into consideration the new cumene capacity in the Middle East).
Cumene peroxidation is the largest source of phenol and acetone. Demand for phenol, rather than acetone, determines capacity utilization. With the exception of bisphenol A, phenol and acetone have no common markets. Historically, phenol has been the more desirable product. Various alternative phenol processes that bypass acetone have been developed that typically involve benzene-to-phenol conversion, using different catalysts. However, these new processes are not expected to affect cumene demand in the very near future. |
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