In comparison to the increase of capacity, the rise of pyrolysis C9 fraction output and capacity utilization kept relatively mild and even negative in 2023.
2023 China Pyrolysis C9 Fraction Capacity, Output and Capacity Utilization Rate
Item |
2023 |
2022 |
YoY Chg |
Unit |
Capacity |
3,461 |
3,341 |
3.59 |
t/y, % |
Output |
2,707.4 |
2,631.8 |
2.87 |
tonnes, % |
Capacity Utilization Rate |
78.23 |
78.77 |
-0.54 |
%, percentage points |
Source: OilChem
As to the reason, the intensive overhauls on steam cracking units lowered the pyrolysis C9 fraction operating rate and output. Moreover, the pyrolysis C9 fraction capacity involved in maintenance reached 135,000 tonnes/year in 2023, per OilChem survey of pyrolysis C9 fraction production status.
Source: OilChem
China is set to witness a substantial rise in steam cracking capacity in the next three years. The relevant ethylene capacity expansion will reach 6.1 million t/y in 2024, and the capacity of its byproduct pyrolysis C9 fraction will surge by 15% or 519,000 t/y year on year, according to data compiled by OilChem.
Source: OilChem
Expanding by 1.63 million t/y, the pyrolysis C9 fraction output is anticipated to soar by 40.36% to roughly 3.8 million tonnes in 2026 on the back of capacity expansion, compared to the 2.71 million tonnes in 2023.
Along with the opportunities and challenges brought by the rising capacities, market insiders should pay more attention to the further development of the downstream deep processing industry.
Written by Ariel Guo, gq@oilchem.net
Edited by Navy Liu, liuchuanjun@mysteel.com