Abstract
Global production and consumption of styrene in 2007 was approximately 26 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 88.4% in 2007. Global styrene consumption is estimated to have increased by 4% in 2007, and is expected to increase by 3.3% per year from 2007 to 2012, declining to 2.7% per year from 2012 to 2017. Average global utilization rates are expected to remain in the mid to upper-80s range throughout the forecast period.
Polystyrene accounted for almost 61% of global styrene consumption in 2007, followed by ABS/SAN resins with 15% of total consumption. Other applications for styrene include SBR solid and latex, SB copolymer latex, unsaturated polyester resins, and styrenic copolymers.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of styrene by end use:
