Published September 2023
In 2022, mainland China was the single-largest consumer of propylene oxide, accounting for more than one-third of global propylene oxide demand. At the regional level, Northeast Asia is the PO consumer, followed by Western Europe and North America. Production of polyether polyols is the largest outlet for propylene oxide, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the overall demand in 2022. Over the past decade, mainland Chinese polyether polyols capacity has more than doubled. As a result, an increasing amount of propylene oxide has been consumed in mainland China to feed this new capacity through increased domestic production or imports from other regions.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of propylene oxide:
Polyether polyols are used in the production of polyurethanes (foam, rigid and nonfoam uses). Demand for polyurethanes has grown at a relatively high average rate over the past decade, driven primarily by the increasing requirements for cushioning applications (transportation, furniture, bedding), insulation materials (appliances, houses, buildings), adhesives and sealants, and surface coatings. Like many other chemicals, consumption growth has stemmed from the fast-growing mainland Chinese economy, where the growing middle class and ongoing urbanization are driving an increasing demand for furniture, appliances, cars, houses, and new buildings.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Propylene Oxide is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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