Abstract
Global production and consumption of toluene in 2007 was approximately 21 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 76% in 2007. Global toluene consumption is estimated to have increased by 4% in 2007, and is expected to increase on average by only 1.5% per year from 2007 to 2012, and 1.7% per year from 2012 to 2017. Average global utilization rates are expected to remain in the low to mid-70s range throughout the forecast period.
Benzene accounted for 33% of global toluene consumption in 2007, followed by p-Xylene with 23% of total consumption and solvent uses with 13%. Other applications for toluene include TDI, gasoline blending, caprolactam, and benzoic acid.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of toluene by end use:
