facts & f igures
Chemical Output
Slipped In Most
Regions
Drops of 10% or more in production were common
as buyers whittled down inventories
Chemical production saw large de-
accelerated. Nylon output was down 22.3%,
and output for both olefin and polyester
fibers fell more than 14%.
To take advantage of the agriculture
boom, U.S. fertilizer makers increased
production of ammonium sulfate by 8.2%.
But 2008 output volumes of ammonium
nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate,
and phosphoric acid were lower than in
2007.
Canada also made strong gains in some
fertilizer production for the year. For
example, ammonium nitrate production
gained 7.5%, moving up to 1.3 million metric tons. But the country’s basic chemicals
output shrank 3.8%, bringing production
Chemical plant use as a percentage
of capacity—also known as capacity
utilization—dipped well below the low
point of the last recession in
2001, mirroring the trend in
U.S. Plant Use
manufacturing overall. Total
Chemical manufacturing capacity use dropped in 2008
manufacturing capacity utilization slipped to 68.9% at the
Production, % of capacity
85
end of 2008 compared with
All manufacturing
80
78.7% at the end of 2007.
Meanwhile, chemical capac75
Chemical
ity utilization fell to 67.4% at
70
manufacturing
the end of 2008 versus 78.7%
65
at the end of 2007.
1998 99 00 01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Almost all categories of
NOTE: As of December. SOURCE: Federal Reserve Board
U.S. chemical production
saw large decreases, reversing a multiyear trend of modest gains.
levels to what they were 10 years ago. In orProduction volumes of many chemicals
ganics, Canada produced significantly less
were off by 10% or more. Organic chemibenzene, formaldehyde, and propylene in
cals for which output was down more than
2008 than in 2007.
10% were acrylonitrile, benzene, 1,3-butaOther data about Canada’s production
diene, ethylbenzene, ethylene, ethylene
have become harder to come by. Statistics
oxide, and styrene. In inorganics, those
Canada discloses production figures only
with big declines included ammonia, amwhen a minimum number of companies
monium sulfate, chlorine, phosphoric
report data. With the closure of an ethylene
acid, and sulfuric acid.
plant in Quebec, authorities can no longer
In addition, all U.S. plastics
report ethylene data, even though it is one
categories were down more
of the country’s most important chemical
U.S. Production
than 10% because the economic
commodities. The vast majority of ethOutput plummeted in all chemical sectors
downturn hit the automotive
ylene produced in Canada goes to make
and housing sectors particupolyethylene, and output of polyethylene
Production index, 1998 = 100
larly hard. This year, the U.S.
declined 12.2% in 2008.
150
� All manufacturing � Organic chemicals
plastics table (see page 57) no
� Chemicals
� Basic inorganic chemicals
� Basic chemicals
� Synthetic materials
longer includes epoxy, urea,
In Europe, barriers to obtaining producmelamine, and phenolic thertion data are even higher. In past years,
120
moset resins. Also missing are
C&EN has calculated an estimated output
two thermoplastic categories:
for all of Europe based on those of several
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
large producing countries. But as the counand other styrene polymers,
tries that report data in a timely fashion
90
and polyamine. The American
have dwindled down to one, Germany,
Plastics Council says a number
C&EN has decided to provide the most
of producers declined to proup-to-date figures possible, which are for
60
vide data for the now-missing
2007. These numbers, of course, do not
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
categories.
reflect the economic downturn.
For the U.S. fiber industry, a
Even so, C&EN found reliable 2008
NOTE: Seasonally adjusted. SOURCE: Federal Reserve Board
multiyear production decline
data for a few European chemicals. Ac-
creases in 2008 as companies responded
to lower demand from battered customers
throughout the economy. Output declined
in North America, Europe, and many parts
of Asia. Compared with recent steady increases in output—especially the strong
growth of 2006 and the slightly smaller
gain in 2007—the 2008 numbers show a
significant change.
In the U.S., chemical production began
a slow slide in January that continued
through the summer. Plant shutdowns precipitated by two giant hurricanes caused a
particularly large dip in output in September. In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
caused a similar zigzag in the chart. This
time, though, when the facilities came back
on-line, the economic collapse was in full
swing. Production blipped up and then
continued its decline until December.
For the year, although production of
all manufacturing goods dropped 3.1%,
production of chemicals fell by 4.6%.
Customers did not reorder chemicals but
instead chose to conserve cash by depleting inventories.
www.cen-onlin e .org
51
j uly 6, 20 0 9
production
cording to the trade association EuroChlor, European chlorine production
fell by 4.7% in 2008 to 10.1 million metric
tons. And according to the Association of
Pe­trochemical Producers in Europe, ethylene production decreased 8.4% to 20.0
million metric tons.
In Asia, as in previous years, C&EN was
unable to obtain output numbers for India
and got only a handful of statistics from
China. But data from Japan, Taiwan, and
South Korea show that the region’s chemical industry declined last year.
In Japan, total production of chemicals
sank nearly 7% in 2008. Large-volume
chemicals were particularly affected, with
production of petrochemicals shrinking
by a sizable 9.9%. Output of many major
chemicals in Japan was lower in 2008 than
it was 10 years ago.
South Korea, which exports much of its
output to China, saw overall production
increase, but by a lot less than in previous
years. Production of ethylene, propylene,
and their corresponding polymers was up.
Output of the engineering plastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, however, fell
significantly.
In Taiwan, plastics production
plunged; output of most major plastics
was down by more than 10%. Taiwan’s
petrochemical industry declined more
than 5% overall.
Even in China, output of some major
chemicals reversed the regional trend by
going down. Production of ethylene, which
had grown by more than 10% per year over
the previous decade, dipped 2.1% in 2008.
Benzene’s story was similar: Production
was down slightly in 2008, a big change
from 10 years of growth at an annual rate of
more than 11%.
U.S. PRODUCTION INDEX Total chemical output declined almost 5% after six years of increases
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
PRODUCTION INDEX,
2004 = 100
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Total index
All manufacturing
Nondurable manufacturing
Chemicals
Basic chemicals
91.8
90.2
99.0
86.9
90.5
95.8
94.8
99.7
88.6
95.0
99.9
99.2
100.3
90.0
91.7
96.4
95.3
97.0
88.4
82.5
96.3
95.5
98.1
94.7
88.8
97.5
97.0
98.2
95.9
91.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.3
104.2
102.8
103.5
101.5
105.6
107.0
103.6
106.7
102.7
107.2
108.7
104.7
108.0
106.2
104.8
105.3
101.6
103.0
97.8
-2.2%
-3.1
-3.0
-4.6
-7.9
1.3%
1.6
0.3
1.7
0.8
Basic inorganic chemicals
Alkalis & chlorine
Synthetic dyes & pigments
Other basic inorganic
chemicals
100.9
56.9
99.2
103.9
102.6
74.3
95.8
109.7
95.3
68.7
98.8
99.6
91.3
57.8
91.6
95.4
100.2
92.0
104.4
101.3
100.1
86.5
105.0
98.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.7
112.8
104.3
102.5
100.1
94.8
106.2
95.8
103.0
99.7
94.4
102.3
104.8
89.8
81.5
103.4
1.7
-9.9
-13.7
1.1
0.4
4.7
-1.9
0.0
85.1
91.5
90.4
78.0
82.7
86.9
100.0
100.6
103.8
107.6
95.0
-11.7
1.1
105.8
98.5
143.3
106.8
102.3
129.3
104.8
101.6
120.6
94.6
92.1
112.4
97.3
97.0
99.5
95.4
93.0
104.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
106.1
109.3
89.9
104.8
108.3
88.8
105.6
109.3
85.2
94.1
96.2
71.2
-10.9
-12.0
-16.4
-1.2
-0.2
-6.8
Chemical products
Pharmaceuticals & medicines
Soap, cleaning compounds &
toiletries
Paint & coatings
88.8
76.6
80.9
88.9
79.7
77.7
93.2
82.9
80.2
89.4
89.2
81.6
96.3
96.2
92.9
94.1
99.5
89.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.3
104.0
107.5
104.3
110.6
112.9
103.3
112.9
108.8
101.9
110.8
111.0
-1.4
-1.9
2.0
1.4
3.8
3.2
99.8
97.8
97.5
95.4
95.6
94.3
100.0
97.6
91.7
90.4
83.4
-7.7
-1.8
Pesticides, fertilizers & other
agricultural chemicals
112.4
101.3
95.6
88.0
91.0
95.3
100.0
104.1
110.8
103.7
94.4
-9.0
-1.7
Organic chemicals
Synthetic materials (a)
Plastic materials & resins
Artificial & synthetic fibers
a Includes synthetic rubber. SOURCE: Federal Reserve Board
CANADA PRODUCTION INDEX In 2008, basic chemicals manufacturing fell back to where it was a decade before
PRODUCTION INDEX,
2004 = 100
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
All manufacturing
Chemicals
Basic chemicals
Pharmaceuticals & medicines
85.8
78.6
96.6
50.4
92.8
81.9
96.1
58.8
103.2
91.1
110.5
70.7
98.1
93.2
110.5
92.2
98.9
97.2
109.2
105.4
98.1
99.9
107.5
110.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.6
101.3
101.4
98.4
101.1
102.0
105.7
106.1
100.1
101.7
100.4
104.0
94.0
99.7
96.6
109.1
SOURCE: Statistics Canada
www.cen-onlin e .org
52
j uly 6, 20 0 9
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
-6.0%
-1.9
-3.8
4.9
0.9%
2.4
0.0
8.0
ASIA PRODUCTION INDEX Chemical output held up in South Korea but dropped sharply in Taiwan and Japan
PRODUCTION INDEX,
2004 = 100
JAPAN
Mining & manufacturing
All chemicals (a)
Petrochemicals
Aromatics
Industrial sodium chemicals
Inorganic chemicals & dyes
Organic chemicals
Cyclic intermediates & dyes
Plastics
Synthetic rubber
Fertilizers
SOUTH KOREA
All manufacturing
Chemicals & chemical
products
Rubber & plastic products
TAIWAN
All manufacturing
Chemicals
Basic chemicals
Petrochemicals
Fertilizers
Man-made fibers
Plastics & resins
Synthetic rubber
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
94.7
96.2
93.6
85.5
102.1
89.8
95.9
96.1
97.8
93.5
130.2
95.4
99.6
98.2
91.8
103.6
95.0
101.2
99.2
100.6
97.0
126.2
100.9
100.2
98.1
91.1
104.7
98.1
99.9
98.7
102.2
97.9
124.7
95.9
97.1
93.6
88.9
97.0
93.5
93.6
94.9
96.5
90.1
115.5
91.8
97.1
94.5
91.7
98.7
95.5
93.9
96.6
96.5
94.1
107.4
94.8
98.6
97.4
96.9
100.0
97.6
99.3
97.6
96.9
97.6
99.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.1
100.6
101.0
104.6
100.8
101.2
101.4
97.0
100.0
100.6
98.2
105.6
100.3
99.0
104.4
98.3
99.5
98.8
95.4
99.6
99.4
96.5
108.6
102.3
102.2
107.7
98.4
100.6
102.7
96.4
100.1
102.3
95.7
104.9
95.5
92.1
97.8
95.5
98.1
90.0
83.1
91.7
102.1
90.6
-3.4% 1.0%
-6.6
-0.4
-9.9
-0.6
-9.1
0.6
-2.9
-0.8
-2.4
0.3
-12.3
-1.2
-13.9
-1.8
-8.4
-0.9
-0.2
0.5
-5.3
-3.3
54.1
71.8
67.7
79.2
79.2
84.0
79.4
86.3
85.9
91.8
90.5
95.3
100.0
100.0
106.2
103.1
115.4
105.7
123.6
113.0
127.3
113.8
3.0%
0.7
8.3%
4.4
68.9
81.0
86.4
88.6
94.4
96.8
100.0
102.0
108.9
115.3
111.4
-3.4
4.7
72.1
49.7
64.0
46.1
130.8
90.7
74.2
80.0
77.7
54.0
69.6
54.0
120.4
92.5
81.2
84.5
83.8
57.3
77.6
59.7
115.7
96.1
84.7
79.4
76.2
65.4
78.9
72.1
108.0
93.0
84.9
81.8
83.0
73.8
80.5
80.9
103.4
100.3
91.2
89.8
90.9
85.3
88.4
92.1
103.2
98.8
95.8
93.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.7
104.0
101.5
102.6
107.1
87.5
98.1
99.0
108.3
98.1
118.9
104.4
108.5
84.4
98.6
103.1
117.4
99.4
122.2
123.8
110.0
81.2
107.2
113.0
115.5
90.4
117.6
117.2
105.1
65.2
95.7
105.1
-1.6%
-9.1
-3.7
-5.3
-4.4
-19.7
-10.7
-7.0
4.8%
6.2
6.3
9.8
-2.2
-3.2
2.6
2.8
a Excludes pharmaceuticals. SOURCES: Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry; Korea National Statistical Office, Republic of Korea; Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
U.S. ORGANICS Only aniline showed a modest rise in 2008; all others declined
THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
1,415
701
8,467
1,415
719
9,088
1,551
846
9,156
1,343
865
7,271
1,239
921
8,130
1,501
969
7,926
1,598
1,034
8,781
1,323
964
7,574
1,371
930
7,642
1,270
978
7,979
1,018
1,009
6,359
-19.8%
3.1
-20.3
-3.2%
3.7
-2.8
1,844
3,045
1,942
3,162
2,009
3,741
1,721
3,186
1,869
3,503
1,901
3,397
2,204
3,736
2,046
3,509
1,987
3,559
2,047
3,702
1,633
3,386
-20.2
-8.5
-1.2
1.1
Ethylbenzene
Ethylene
Ethylene dichloride
Ethylene oxide
5,743
23,614
11,140
3,692
5,945
25,300
10,358
4,030
5,967
25,113
9,911
3,867
4,642
22,513
9,336
3,343
5,412
23,644
9,328
3,447
5,578
22,976
9,994
3,660
5,779
25,682
12,163
3,772
5,251
23,974
11,308
3,166
5,286
25,020
9,732
3,445
5,538
25,412
9,562
3,415
4,104
22,554
8,973
2,903
-25.9
-11.2
-6.2
-15.0
-3.3
-0.5
-2.1
-2.4
Propylene (d)
Styrene
Urea
Vinyl acetate
13,014
5,166
8,042
1,333
13,202
5,397
8,080
1,378
14,457
5,405
6,969
1,497
13,176
4,214
6,080
1,188
14,425
4,899
7,038
1,349
13,939
5,167
5,783
1,306
15,345
5,394
5,756
1,431
15,490
5,042
5,268
1,327
15,650
4,827
5,383
1,315
16,187
5,100
5,585
1,391
14,791
4,100
5,288
1,267
-8.6
-19.6
-5.3
-8.9
1.3
-2.3
-4.1
-0.5
Acrylonitrile
Aniline
Benzene (thousands of
liters) (a,b)
1,3-Butadiene (c)
Cumene
a Production by tar distillers and coke-oven operators is not included. b Specification grades. c Rubber grade. d All grades.
SOURCES: National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, Bureau of the Census
www.cen-onlin e .org
53
j uly 6, 20 0 9
production
CANADA ORGANICS Output of many products dropped significantly in 2008
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Benzene
Butadiene
Ethylene
Formaldehyde
718
236
3,557
228
805
230
3,881
211
859
252
4,069
194
751
245
4,261
179
849
276
4,734
212
843
276
4,729
245
915
289
5,095
269
798
246
na
na
Propylene
Toluene
Urea
Xylenes
1,038
222
3,714
308
1,000
260
3,783
253
934
218
3,887
312
882
222
3,363
271
956
256
3,436
294
938
289
3,311
336
939
na
3,654
351
737
na
3,549
na
2005
2006
2007
2008
743
262
na
236
794
234
5,055
195
704
na
na
165
833
253
na
na
917
211
3,574
na
771
na
3,837
na
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
-11.3%
na
na
-15.4
-0.2%
na
na
-3.2
-15.9
na
7.4
na
-2.9
na
0.3
na
NOTE: Some data are now not being released because of confidentiality requirements. na = not available. SOURCE: Statistics Canada
EUROPE ORGANICS Major products such as ethylene and propylene showed steady gains in 2007
ANNUAL
CHANGE,
2006-07
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Acetic acid
Acetone
Benzene
Butadiene
1-Butanol
781
1,173
3,561
1,939
164
584
1,254
3,345
1,971
188
593
1,307
3,705
2,027
44
754
1,325
4,565
2,097
67
495
404
6,670
1,992
531
716
1,011
6,817
2,024
575
676
1,235
6,535
2,131
542
1,451
1,567
7,931
2,222
788
1,500
1,336
7,089
2,233
816
866
1,536
6,052
2,182
417
869
1,628
6,072
2,188
419
Ethylbenzene
Ethylene
Ethylene dichloride
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene oxide
679
18,537
902
506
634
684
18,980
860
1,171
644
937
19,362
1,056
1,177
592
149
19,444
1,122
1,195
637
1,180
19,674
2,759
268
934
769
20,159
3,358
239
717
911
20,686
3,374
857
792
4,262
21,408
6,044
1,404
2,311
4,276
21,600
6,646
1,637
2,397
1,146
21,192
1,407
1,470
640
1,131
21,818
1,452
1,501
772
-1.3
3.0
3.2
2.1
20.6
Formaldehyde
Methanol
Phenol
Phthalic anhydride
Propylene
808
2,365
na
414
12,624
824
2,242
1,391
446
12,885
947
869
na
446
13,153
954
1,148
na
488
13,330
2,463
2,030
689
371
13,352
3,299
1,844
797
442
14,107
3,295
2,009
724
430
14,708
4,017
2,878
2,059
848
15,123
4,057
3,248
2,005
852
15,406
1,076
2,395
2,189
475
15,291
1,231
2,100
2,182
459
15,670
14.4
-12.3
-0.3
-3.4
2.5
361
819
3,025
209
391
1,368
351
727
3,152
1,130
469
2,514
429
845
2,989
1,172
718
2,497
443
908
3,215
1,155
644
2,602
316
735
958
886
457
579
305
777
3,078
919
667
1,122
329
861
3,215
848
502
626
1,987
666
6,220
1,913
881
4,382
2,179
950
4,963
2,014
800
4,282
723
2,012
4,380
1,699
910
4,257
586
2,091
4,598
1,744
946
3,867
-18.9
3.9
5.0
2.6
4.0
-9.2
Propylene glycol
Propylene oxide
Styrene
Toluene
Vinyl acetate
Xylenes
0.3%
6.0
0.3
0.3
0.5
NOTE: Data for 2008 are not available. Data from 2005 forward are for 27 countries in the European Union; between 2002 and 2005, for 25 countries; and prior to 2002, for 15
countries. Thus, 10-year comparisons are not meaningful. na = not available.
SOURCES: European Union, national government statistics offices, Association of Petrochemical Producers in Europe
CHINA ORGANICS Production uncharacteristically leveled off in 2008
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Benzene (pure)
Caprolactam
Ethylene
Methanol (refined)
1,341
120
3,772
1,581
1,535
109
4,348
1,794
1,850
164
4,743
1,967
1,988
152
4,807
2,065
2,131
170
5,414
2,110
2,408
201
6,118
2,989
2,556
228
6,266
4,406
3,061
214
7,555
5,356
3,441
291
8,765
7,623
4,069
299
10,477
10,764
4,034
290
10,256
11,263
SOURCE: China National Chemical Information Center
www.cen-onlin e .org
54
j uly 6, 20 0 9
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
-0.9%
-3.0
-2.1
4.6
11.6%
9.2
10.5
21.7
ASIA ORGANICS Overall output held steady in South Korea but fell precipitously in Taiwan and Japan
THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08
1998-08
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
JAPAN
Acetic acid
Acetone
Acrylonitrile
Benzene (a)
Butadiene
Butanol
654
459
667
4,203
977
424
644
507
738
4,459
1,035
495
675
508
732
4,425
1,044
461
594
476
738
4,261
976
472
569
472
708
4,313
993
476
592
492
780
4,551
1,062
519
589
539
711
4,758
1,041
506
599
546
742
4,980
1,040
513
597
531
667
4,874
1,002
537
587
593
743
5,245
1,024
537
500
491
600
4,581
953
482
-14.8%
-17.2
-19.2
-12.7
-6.9
-10.2
-2.6%
0.7
-1.1
0.9
-0.2
1.3
Caprolactam
Cyclohexane
Ethylene
Ethylene dichloride
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene oxide
519
652
7,076
3,491
920
953
581
688
7,687
3,503
922
976
599
673
7,614
3,431
930
990
531
598
7,361
3,275
787
891
508
607
7,152
3,352
733
868
530
685
7,367
3,463
814
939
503
676
7,570
3,594
786
941
458
722
7,618
3,687
841
1,005
467
731
7,522
3,514
763
974
467
703
7,739
3,603
754
966
432
557
6,882
3,212
629
865
-7.5
-20.8
-11.1
-10.9
-16.6
-10.5
-1.8
-1.6
-0.3
-0.8
-3.7
-1.0
Octanol
Phenol
Phthalate plasticizers
Phthalic anhydride
Polypropylene glycol
Propylene
285
851
398
301
274
5,101
315
888
417
301
302
5,520
278
916
396
290
304
5,453
262
884
369
259
294
5,342
302
891
377
262
299
5,309
306
926
382
262
314
5,610
307
966
357
257
346
5,767
279
938
315
239
339
6,030
280
860
279
175
344
6,090
270
961
281
179
343
6,286
259
772
246
176
308
5,674
-4.1
-19.7
-12.5
-1.7
-10.2
-9.7
-1.0
-1.0
-4.7
-5.2
1.2
1.1
Purified terephthalic acid
Styrene
Toluene (a)
Toluene diisocyanate
Xylene (a)
p-Xylene
1,616
2,770
1,349
192
4,340
2,754
1,547
3,055
1,488
192
4,641
2,969
1,527
2,968
1,489
214
4,681
2,920
1,496
3,004
1,423
214
4,798
2,814
1,624
3,016
1,548
223
4,900
2,920
1,443
3,201
1,584
230
5,213
3,097
1,531
3,345
1,634
245
5,395
3,164
1,472
3,392
1,676
216
5,570
3,358
1,432
3,295
1,633
232
5,727
3,357
1,254
3,533
1,637
229
6,006
3,301
1,015
2,851
1,435
224
5,698
3,039
-19.1
-19.3
-12.3
-2.2
-5.1
-7.9
-4.5
0.3
0.6
1.6
2.8
1.0
SOUTH KOREA
Benzene
Butadiene
Ethylene
Propylene
Vinyl chloride
2,412
731
5,110
3,247
984
2,572
764
5,216
3,282
1,017
2,834
808
5,439
3,409
1,133
2,650
777
5,398
3,273
1,392
2,852
816
5,636
3,557
1,416
3,246
860
5,872
3,753
1,441
3,462
917
5,945
3,892
1,498
3,594
939
6,058
3,945
1,501
3,719
948
6,055
4,172
1,521
4,065
1,078
6,788
4,669
1,512
4,006
1,072
6,989
4,772
1,473
-1.5
-0.6
3.0
2.2
-2.6
5.2
3.9
3.2
3.9
4.1
167
415
122
123
270
935
175
605
190
119
269
1,296
186
690
220
171
198
1,592
292
1,070
349
184
280
2,584
339
931
346
186
257
2,393
352
998
390
216
243
2,679
379
1,088
412
216
239
2,864
386
1,204
387
247
204
2,890
418
1,180
394
257
211
2,888
451
1,606
521
257
244
3,666
360
1,550
513
216
189
3,623
-20.2
-3.5
-1.5
-16.0
-22.5
-1.2
8.0
14.1
15.4
5.8
-3.5
14.5
206
545
2,433
386
23
1,018
301
765
2,769
806
18
1,288
612
930
3,140
956
26
1,410
1,036
1,410
3,217
1,146
54
1,452
939
1,462
3,705
1,249
42
1,557
1,169
1,752
4,079
1,274
64
1,718
1,459
1,995
4,620
1,247
140
1,763
1,413
2,012
4,597
1,248
86
1,783
1,343
2,105
4,400
1,222
30
1,609
1,795
2,835
4,437
1,824
36
1,810
2,014
2,663
4,096
1,679
16
1,633
12.2
-6.1
-7.7
-7.9
-55.6
-9.8
25.6
17.2
5.3
15.8
-3.6
4.8
TAIWAN
Acrylonitrile
Benzene
Butadiene
Caprolactam
Dioctyl phthalate
Ethylene
Ethylene glycol
Propylene
Purified terephthalic acid
Styrene
Toluene
Vinyl chloride
a Petroleum and nonpetroleum sources. SOURCES: Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry; Korea National Statistical Office, Republic of Korea; Petrochemical Industry
Association of Taiwan; Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
www.cen-onlin e .org
55
j uly 6, 20 0 9
production
U.S. INORGANICS Production of all inorganics decreased, except for nitric acid and sodium sulfate
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aluminum sulfate (a)
Ammonia (b)
Ammonium nitrate (c)
Ammonium sulfate
1,058
16,757
8,235
2,528
1,085
15,725
6,920
2,357
976
14,339
7,237
2,547
1,019
11,090
5,833
2,347
1,053
12,574
6,436
2,671
961
10,466
5,733
2,604
971
10,937
6,558
2,726
967
10,141
6,541
2,636
912
9,960
6,411
2,603
877
10,744
7,311
2,835
865
9,547
7,279
2,507
-1.4%
-11.1
-0.4
-11.6
-2.0%
-5.5
-1.2
-0.1
Chlorine
Hydrochloric acid
Nitric acid, 100%
Phosphoric acid, P2O5
11,647
4,226
8,421
12,599
12,111
4,081
8,113
12,433
12,698
4,278
7,898
11,330
11,487
3,969
6,416
10,472
11,681
4,037
6,939
11,146
10,359
4,179
6,747
11,324
12,326
5,301
6,466
11,511
10,275
4,618
6,710
11,447
10,331
4,232
6,607
10,700
10,791
4,224
7,381
11,000
9,629
3,808
7,503
9,211
-10.8
-9.8
1.7
-16.3
-1.9
-1.0
-1.1
-3.1
707
11,893
571
44,000
742
11,971
599
40,594
853
10,451
462
39,584
792
9,811
512
36,338
721
9,459
500
36,062
668
8,793
466
37,373
556
9,618
469
38,021
523
8,519
467
37,183
558
8,061
290
35,909
600
8,046
312
36,636
547
7,263
322
32,443
-8.8
-9.7
3.2
-11.4
-2.5
-4.8
-5.6
-3.0
THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS
Sodium chlorate
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium sulfate (d)
Sulfuric acid (e)
a Commercial, 17% Al2O3; includes production by municipalities. b Synthetic anhydrous; excludes by-product ammonia liquor and ammonium sulfate. c Original solution.
d High purity. e Gross (new and fortified). SOURCES: Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
CANADA INORGANICS Unlike in the U.S., Canadian inorganic chemicals mostly turned in strong gains in 2008
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aluminum sulfate
Ammonia
Ammonium nitrate
Carbon black
Chlorine
191
4,737
1,000
217
989
205
4,889
1,052
218
1,065
167
4,888
1,110
229
1,079
170
4,297
1,174
215
1,054
176
4,501
1,152
215
1,095
171
4,455
1,031
205
994
167
4,996
1,096
223
1,057
175
4,607
1,206
235
1,008
164
4,623
1,181
225
929
199
4,411
1,188
na
601
224
4,730
1,277
na
570
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Nitric acid
Sodium chlorate
Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid
149
199
935
1,012
1,015
4,333
157
228
1,007
1,049
1,082
4,194
155
237
1,074
1,107
1,094
3,804
143
203
1,054
1,082
1,074
3,846
151
222
1,143
1,055
1,111
3,887
153
226
1,105
1,129
1,059
3,465
149
244
1,219
1,183
1,146
3,933
142
244
1,147
1,169
1,119
3,743
155
na
1,180
1,111
1,012
3,823
138
236
1,132
1,073
676
3,833
154
247
821
1,072
684
4,098
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
12.6%
7.2
7.5
na
-5.2
11.6
4.7
-27.5
-0.1
1.2
6.9
1.6%
-0.0
2.5
na
-5.4
0.3
2.2
-1.3
0.6
-3.9
-0.6
NOTE: Some data are now not being released because of confidentiality requirements. na = not available. SOURCE: Statistics Canada
JAPAN INORGANICS Amid the economic downturn, production of hydrochloric acid, nitrogen, and sulfuric acid rose slightly
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS UNLESS
OTHERWISE INDICATED
1998
1999
Ammonia
Ammonium sulfate (a)
Carbon black
Chlorine, liquid
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen peroxide
1,689
1,618
723
881
2,408
140
Nitrogen (mcm)
Oxygen (mcm)
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium silicate
Sulfuric acid
Titanium dioxide
9,716
9,188
4,252
765
6,739
251
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
1,685
1,716
761
875
2,448
145
1,715
1,749
788
847
2,494
151
1,604
1,585
742
777
2,342
159
1,450
1,564
755
754
2,317
167
1,291
1,570
788
723
2,363
176
1,340
1,526
804
619
2,324
196
1,318
1,458
805
601
2,308
197
1,328
1,439
827
571
2,326
221
1,355
1,463
835
550
2,343
218
1,244
1,412
821
520
2,386
214
-8.2%
-3.5
-1.7
-5.5
1.8
-1.8
-3.0%
-1.4
1.3
-5.1
-0.1
4.3
9,855
9,534
4,345
769
6,943
269
10,290
10,655
4,471
720
7,059
270
10,296
10,373
4,291
679
6,727
257
10,455
10,720
4,271
622
6,763
240
10,835
11,250
4,369
596
6,534
253
11,281
11,278
4,493
577
6,444
253
11,435
11,371
4,552
546
6,546
259
11,998
11,766
4,453
541
6,843
240
12,696
12,407
4,482
524
7,098
246
13,211
11,941
4,368
471
7,227
225
4.1
-3.8
-2.5
-10.1
1.8
-8.5
3.1
2.7
0.3
-4.7
0.7
-1.1
a For agricultural and nonagricultural use. mcm = millions of cubic meters. SOURCE: Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry
www.cen-onlin e .org
56
j uly 6, 20 0 9
EUROPE INORGANICS Most inorganic chemicals posted an increase in 2007
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS UNLESS
OTHERWISE INDICATED
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Carbon black
Chlorine
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen (mcm)
1,243
9,386
1,907
1,883
1,386
9,190
1,830
2,124
1,322
9,219
2,098
2,252
1,342
9,697
2,050
2,196
1,059
9,265
2,608
5,553
1,025
9,222
4,142
7,519
1,009
9,525
3,784
8,962
1,468
10,396
5,165
10,690
1,388
10,382
6,002
11,251
1,662
10,315
3,071
6,526
1,871
10,624
3,458
8,000
12.6%
3.0
12.6
22.6
133
11,950
10,610
599
1,589
248
10,490
4,674
526
4,998
438
7,422
5,592
995
4,567
847
8,091
5,965
692
4,401
372
12,829
12,678
2,463
1,451
655
13,942
19,026
3,921
1,493
736
17,807
22,554
3,574
3,874
1,085
22,326
27,112
4,304
6,609
1,123
22,457
27,824
4,257
6,956
911
23,123
27,754
703
6,828
973
22,695
28,013
671
6,610
6.8
-1.9
0.9
-4.6
-3.2
6,197
2,718
6,586
na
6,090
2,748
6,832
415
5,418
2,237
7,109
433
5,780
2,314
6,598
538
6,756
1,806
8,157
na
9,114
2,951
13,835
440
7,937
3,082
12,746
419
9,994
3,406
16,584
588
9,829
3,565
16,609
602
8,773
3,221
9,739
623
8,967
3,086
9,744
626
2.2
-4.2
0.1
0.5
Hydrogen peroxide
Nitrogen (mcm)
Oxygen (mcm)
Phosphoric acid (a)
Sodium carbonate
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium sulfate
Sulfuric acid (b)
Titanium oxides
ANNUAL
CHANGE,
2006-07
NOTE: Data for 2008 are not available. Data from 2005 forward are for 27 countries in the European Union; between 2002 and 2005, for 25 countries; and prior to 2002, for 15
countries. Thus, 10-year comparisons are not meaningful. a As P2O5. b As SO3. mcm = millions of cubic meters. na = not available.
SOURCES: European Union, national government statistics offices, EuroChlor
CHINA INORGANICS Output of sulfuric acid fell, and that of other chemicals grew less than in past years
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
Hydrochloric acid (31%)
Sodium carbonate
Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid
1998
1999
2000
2001
2003
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
3,801
7,368
5,184
20,519
3,960
7,486
5,495
21,589
4,454
9,199
7,123
23,888
4,705
9,144
7,880
26,963
4,926
10,189
8,227
29,674
5,276
11,075
9,399
33,191
6,007
12,668
10,603
38,249
6,582
14,211
12,400
44,621
7,306
15,972
15,118
48,603
7,476
17,718
17,593
53,907
7,571
18,813
18,522
51,101
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
1.3%
6.2
5.3
-5.2
7.1%
9.8
13.6
9.6
SOURCE: China National Chemical Information Center
U.S. PLASTICS Every category declined, with polypropylene down the most
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
Polyethylene
Low-density (a,b)
Linear low-density (a,b)
High-density (b,c)
Polypropylene (d)
Polystyrene (e)
Polyvinyl chloride &
copolymers (d)
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
3,437
3,278
5,862
6,271
2,829
6,578
3,493
3,677
6,289
7,028
2,935
6,764
3,436
3,607
6,336
7,139
3,104
6,551
3,491
4,659
6,933
7,228
2,773
6,467
3,647
5,139
7,243
7,691
3,025
6,939
3,540
5,052
7,125
8,013
2,900
6,669
3,763
5,640
7,960
8,415
3,062
7,251
3,558
5,395
7,328
8,149
2,854
6,921
3,586
5,919
7,966
8,442
2,807
6,758
3,596
6,162
8,265
8,820
2,728
6,625
3,177
5,469
7,370
7,606
2,368
5,801
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
-11.7%
-11.2
-10.8
-13.8
-13.2
-12.4
-0.8%
5.3
2.3
1.9
-1.8
-1.2
a Density 0.940 and below. b Data include Canadian production from 2001. c Density above 0.940. d Data include Canadian and Mexican production. e Data include Canadian
production from 2000. SOURCE: American Plastics Council
CANADA PLASTICS Plastics production saw a sharp decrease in 2008
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
Polyesters, unsaturated
Polyethylene (a)
Polystyrene (b)
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
82
2,283
180
108
2,485
200
120
2,751
203
115
3,035
186
113
3,330
195
139
3,083
183
100
3,587
207
90
3,366
198
81
3,594
195
62
3,736
83
53
3,282
na
NOTE: Some data are now not being released because of confidentiality requirements. a Includes high-, low-, and linear low-density polyethylene. b Includes
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. na = not available. SOURCE: Statistics Canada
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57
j uly 6, 20 0 9
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
-14.5%
-12.2
na
-4.3%
3.7
na
production
EUROPE PLASTICS Polyethylene saw a modest increase in 2007
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
ANNUAL
CHANGE,
2006-07
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Polyethylene
Polystyrene
Acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene
Polyvinyl chloride
8,508
1,117
762
9,731
1,090
859
10,223
675
971
10,579
331
1,038
11,487
2,410
466
11,599
2,550
793
11,942
2,540
495
13,859
1,790
811
14,529
1,859
891
13,550
na
690
13,957
na
743
4,792
2,651
3,209
4,893
5,681
6,531
6,694
6,485
6,594
7,008
6,888
-1.7
Epoxy resins
Polypropylene
Polyamides
Synthetic rubber
373
na
1,652
2,419
334
4,158
1,494
2,245
393
6,524
766
2,239
419
6,984
1,412
2,342
215
7,526
1,209
2,691
464
8,113
1,833
3,250
356
8,638
1,769
3,713
633
8,950
2,052
4,415
693
9,050
2,119
4,170
801
na
1,940
4,391
798
na
1,959
4,075
-0.4
na
1.0
-7.2
3.0%
na
7.7
NOTE: Data for 2008 are not available. Data from 2005 forward are for 27 countries in the European Union; between 2002 and 2005, for 25 countries; and prior to 2002, for 15
countries. Thus, 10-year comparisons are not meaningful. na = not available.
SOURCES: European Union, European Chemical Industry Council, national agencies and associations, Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe
ASIA PLASTICS Output shrank across the board, most sharply in Taiwan
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
JAPAN
Polyethylene
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl chloride
Epoxy resins
Phenolic resins
Polycarbonate
Synthetic rubber
SOUTH KOREA
Acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene
Polyethylene, high-density
Polyethylene, low-density
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl chloride
TAIWAN
Acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene
Polyester resin
Polyethylene, high-density
Polyethylene, low-density
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
Polyurethane resin
Styrene-butadiene rubber
Polybutadiene rubber
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
3,143
1,300
2,520
1,975
2,457
204
259
317
1,520
3,369
1,281
2,626
2,037
2,460
225
250
351
1,577
3,342
1,308
2,721
2,024
2,410
243
262
354
1,590
3,294
1,243
2,696
1,810
2,195
192
232
370
1,466
3,176
1,211
2,641
1,837
2,225
201
242
386
1,522
3,165
1,076
2,751
1,801
2,164
195
261
409
1,577
3,238
1,195
2,908
1,824
2,153
215
287
411
1,616
3,240
1,126
3,063
1,734
2,151
211
280
431
1,627
3,166
1,110
3,049
1,745
2,146
229
284
413
1,607
3,232
1,104
3,087
1,749
2,162
239
295
418
1,655
3,089
1,052
2,871
1,596
1,797
214
287
347
1,651
-4.4%
-4.7
-7.0
-8.7
-16.9
-10.5
-2.7
-17.0
-0.2
-0.2%
-2.1
1.3
-2.1
-3.1
0.5
1.0
0.9
0.8
636
784
777
932
1,120
1,143
1,105
980
1,077
1,145
1,056
-7.8%
5.2%
1,615
1,518
2,355
1,038
1,013
1,756
1,642
2,440
1,105
1,170
1,706
1,576
2,413
1,212
1,191
1,839
1,614
2,485
1,354
1,238
1,871
1,624
2,622
1,361
1,244
1,925
1,627
2,811
1,427
1,278
1,882
1,706
2,930
1,176
1,306
1,949
1,744
3,013
1,093
1,184
1,936
1,728
3,040
1,009
1,203
1,984
1,790
3,240
1,072
1,161
2,031
1,783
3,391
1,014
1,164
2.4
-0.4
4.7
-5.4
0.3
899
1,016
1,067
985
1,078
1,105
1,166
1,215
1,274
1,324
1,130
-14.7%
175
273
224
418
764
145
107
56
204
395
236
517
765
157
104
54
198
306
273
564
711
185
83
50
204
510
477
773
866
170
81
52
219
507
492
830
848
189
78
52
212
547
536
937
858
193
69
54
185
537
609
1,020
817
214
108
56
168
515
663
1,098
830
195
96
53
162
521
597
1,174
713
191
102
50
168
577
700
1,262
761
185
112
54
143
512
623
1,179
638
169
102
50
-14.9
-11.3
-11.0
-6.6
-16.2
-8.6
-8.9
-7.4
2.3
1.6
3.7
-0.2
1.4
2.3%
-2.0
6.5
10.8
10.9
-1.8
1.5
-0.5
-1.1
SOURCES: Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry; Korea National Statistical Office, Republic of Korea; Petrochemical Industry Association of Taiwan; Taiwan’s Ministry of
Economic Affairs
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58
j uly 6, 20 0 9
U.S. SYNTHETIC FIBERS Output of noncellulosic fibers continued to fall, and cellulosics held steady
THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
NONCELLULOSIC FIBERS
Nylon
Olefin
Polyester (a)
1,218
1,326
1,768
1,217
1,395
1,763
1,215
1,461
1,795
1,019
1,316
1,488
1,112
1,397
1,516
1,115
1,374
1,427
1,142
1,388
1,534
1,082
1,403
1,471
1,023
1,290
1,411
937
1,295
1,240
728
1,109
1,060
-22.3%
-14.3
-14.5
-5.0%
-1.8
-5.0
166
135
158
103
81
75
67
49
27
27
27
0.0%
-16.5%
CELLULOSIC FIBERS
Acetate (b) & rayon
a Includes polyester carpet yarn from 2000. b Includes diacetate and triacetate; excludes production for cigarette filters. SOURCE: Fiber Economics Bureau
JAPAN SYNTHETIC FIBERS Pace of industry’s decline accelerated in 2008
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08 1998-08
Man-made (a)
Polyester (a)
Acrylic (b)
Polypropylene (a)
Nylon (c)
1,724
684
418
109
180
1,634
665
372
109
174
1,643
665
377
111
176
1,564
628
365
117
162
1,416
564
358
114
126
1,316
528
298
116
121
1,279
520
267
120
121
1,249
496
261
125
118
1,209
483
243
127
118
1,193
465
236
127
117
1,071
435
145
125
112
-10.2%
-6.5
-38.6
-1.6
-4.3
-4.6%
-4.4
-10.0
1.4
-4.6
a Sum of staple and filament. b Staple only. c Filament only. SOURCE: Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry
U.S. FERTILIZERS Production of five types of fertilizers fell despite strong demand from agriculture
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
ANNUAL CHANGE
2007-08
1998-08
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
NITROGEN PRODUCTS
Ammonia
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium sulfate
Urea
Nitrogen solutions
15,032
3,183
2,453
4,850
8,980
14,484
3,165
2,517
5,066
10,136
13,438
2,873
2,595
4,742
9,038
10,455
2,192
2,353
3,678
9,143
11,306
2,246
2,405
4,477
7,985
10,475
2,142
2,595
4,443
8,863
9,164
2,165
2,669
3,095
7,781
8,945
2,473
2,676
3,086
8,062
7,209
2,045
2,706
2,284
7,022
7,888
2,180
2,597
2,603
8,549
8,226
2,105
2,809
2,436
8,545
4.3%
-3.4
8.2
-6.4
-0.1
-5.9%
-4.0
1.4
-6.7
-0.5
PHOSPHATE PRODUCTS
Diammonium phosphate
Monoammonium phosphate
Phosphate rock
Phosphoric acid (P2O5)
14,088
3,624
37,814
11,264
14,528
3,511
38,352
11,470
12,670
4,106
36,088
10,751
10,049
4,087
34,219
9,406
10,825
4,175
29,183
10,125
9,991
4,734
32,327
10,253
10,404
5,328
35,338
10,530
9,988
5,213
35,183
10,533
9,474
4,170
33,127
9,802
8,202
4,838
29,370
9,379
8,018
5,004
29,673
8,912
-2.2%
3.4
1.0
-5.0
-5.5%
3.3
-2.4
-2.3
NOTE: Years ending June 30. Figures are based on Fertilizer Institute surveys and may not represent the entire industry. SOURCE: Fertilizer Institute
EUROPE FERTILIZERS Ammonium sulfate and nitric acid saw strong gains in 2007
THOUSANDS OF
METRIC TONS
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium sulfate
Anhydrous ammonia
Nitric acid
Urea
1,171
478
2,291
266
368
631
585
2,295
290
na
897
566
2,213
264
600
721
675
2,078
153
725
687
1,442
2,362
600
214
1,505
769
9,394
612
947
1,168
832
4,752
2,378
767
6,656
1,735
12,364
6,581
2,407
6,138
1,703
13,187
6,326
2,822
2,394
1,382
3,907
849
2,560
2,373
1,639
4,033
952
2,351
ANNUAL
CHANGE,
2006-07
-0.9%
18.6
3.2
12.1
-8.2
NOTE: Data for 2008 are not available. Data from 2005 forward are for 27 countries in the European Union; between 2002 and 2005, for 25 countries; and prior to 2002, for 15
countries. Thus, 10-year comparisons are not meaningful. na = not available. SOURCES: European Union, national government statistics offices
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