Ethylene production, consumption and trade balance
In 2006, West European ethylene consumption was 21.5 kt which is 433 kt (2%) smaller than in 2005.
Despite a decrease of 2% in demand growth, the Western European crackers operated at 90% (21468/23851) of nameplate capacity, probably due to a recovery of 21% in trade and a quasi unchanged capacity.
Production decreased of almost/nearly 2% in 2006 whereas capacity remained unchanged.
On average from 2007-2011 ethylene capacity is expected to increase by 4.7%
In 2006 naphtha and condensates together continued to provide ca 74% of the feed to the ethylene crackers. Around 13% of the feedstock diet is ethane, propane and butane with the major part of the balance being gas oil.
