China's PX production not likely to meet demand by 2015

14 Oct '13

2 min read

The current and expected paraxylene (PX) production is not likely to meet China’s domestic demand for downstream purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the main raw material for polyester value chain, by 2015, according to experts.

Although public safety and environmental concerns have marred the growth of paraxylene (PX) plants in China in recent years, the demand for PX from downstream textile industry remains unabated, resulting in increasing dependence on imports and soaring of PX prices.

Experts now foresee an urgent need to strengthen public opinion and educating the public on the relevant safety and environment laws and regulations related to PX projects and their scientific design and management to avoid accidents and environmental hazards.

From 2000 to 2010, China’s PX projects developed rapidly, and it became the world’s largest producer of PX. However, from 2010 onwards, China has also become the world’s largest consumer of PX, and its demand for PX reached 13.85 million tons in 2012, accounting for 32 percent of global consumption, including domestic PX production of 7.75 million tons.

China Chemical Fiber Industry Association data shows that with production capacity of 3.649 million tons, Sinopec accounts for 40.3 percent of China’s PX production.

Currently, there are three PX plants in the pipeline, one each of Dragon Aromatics, PetroChina and Sinopec Hainan Petrochemical, and Pengzhou petrochemical, with production capacities of 1.6 million tons, 600,000 tons and 600,000 tons, respectively. But, these projects are getting delayed due to public opposition.

According to the China Chemical Fiber Industry Association, by 2015, China’s PTA production will reach 33.5 million tons and PX demand will reach 22 million tons.

If no new PX project becomes operational during 2013-15, then the domestic PX supply and demand gap will reach 14 million tons. Even if the three projects become operational, it will increase production to only 11 million tons, creating a market gap of 11 million tons, or half of domestic demand, according to experts.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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