|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Abstract
|
| |
Bisphenol A is used primarily in the production of polycarbonate resins and epoxy resins. Global bisphenol A consumption increased at an average annual rate of almost 10% from 2003 to 2006, driven by polycarbonate demand and also by a significantly improved epoxy resins market in 2006. Polycarbonate resins are both the largest and the fastest-growing end use for bisphenol A in each major producing region (accounting for 67% of total bisphenol A consumption). Bisphenol A demand in this market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7–8% during 2006–2011. Total global bisphenol A consumption will exceed 5.5 million metric tons in 2011.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of bisphenol A:
|
| |
In 2005 and into 2006, bisphenol A was in oversupply as a result of new capacity that came on stream and weakened demand from China. Global bisphenol A capacity increased by approximately 950 thousand metric tons from 2003 to mid-2007. As of mid-2007, bisphenol A supply was relatively tight because of a shortage of its raw material phenol and increased demand from polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Bisphenol A’s supply situation will change by 2009, when additional phenol capacity is due to come on stream
|
|
|
