AM-15-66 The Changing Face of US Aromatics

Description:

US olefins producers are still enjoying some of the best margins globally, however the past 8 months have demonstrated how falling naphtha prices could impact the feedstock advantage provided by shale gas plays. The shift in the US from naphtha to ethane has created a co-product dilemma, with less aromatics being produced by the cracker. And with oil prices – and in turn naphtha prices – slumping globally, the feedstock advantage enjoyed by US olefins producers is shrinking.