Petrochemical feedstocks: the rankings are in

Ranking of Feedstocks for Petrochemical Sites for 2023

Naphtha and ethane are the two most important feedstocks for petrochemical production, accounting for around 60% of global petrochemical feedstock demand. These feedstocks are relatively light and versatile, and they can be used to produce a wide range of petrochemical products.

Other important feedstocks for petrochemical production include propane, natural gas, condensate, butane, pentane, hexane, heavy naphtha, and gas oil. These feedstocks are typically heavier and less versatile than naphtha and ethane, but they can still be used to produce a wide range of petrochemical products.

• Global petrochemical demand is expected to grow by around 4% per year in the coming years.

• Naphtha is the most important feedstock for petrochemical production, accounting for around 40% of global petrochemical feedstock demand.

• Ethane is another important feedstock for petrochemical production, accounting for around 20% of global petrochemical feedstock demand.

• Natural gas is a relatively inexpensive and abundant feedstock that can be used to produce a wide range of petrochemical products, and its demand is expected to grow in the coming years.

The ranking of different feedstocks for petrochemical sites is likely to change in the coming years, as the petrochemical industry shifts to using more natural gas and renewable feedstocks. However, naphtha and ethane are expected to remain the most important feedstocks for petrochemical production in the medium term.

The following table shows the ranking of different feedstocks for petrochemical sites for 2023, based on a combination of factors, including price, availability, and suitability for producing a wide range of petrochemical products: