Ethylene production, consumption and trade balance
In 2007: the Western European ethylene consumption rose up to 22.2 Mt, or 739 kt (+3.4%) higher than in 2006. Trade decreased by 48.9% and capacity increased by 1%. The Western European crackers operated at 91.4% (222223/24301) of nameplate capacity.
In 2008, Western European ethylene consumption decreased down to 20.2 Mt, or 1976 kt (-8.9%) lower than in 2007. The Western European crackers operated at 81.7% (20247/24774) of nameplate capacity. Trade increased by 43.7% and capacity increased by 1.9%.
The production increased by 3% in 2007 vs 2006 and decreased by 8.5% in 2008 vs 2007, whilst capacity respectively increased by 1% and 2%.
In 2007, imports from outside Western Europe increased by 48.1%. The ethylene demand also increased by 3.4%.
In 2008, imports from outside Western Europe decreased by 41.3%. The ethylene demand also decreased by almost 8.9%.
In 2007, naphtha and condensates respectively continued to provide 73.8% of the feed to European ethylene crackers and 73.3% in 2008. In 2007 and 2008 respectively, 13% and 14 % of the feedstock came from ethane, propane and butane and the balance from gas oil.
print
