Phenol and acetone market plagued by continuing overcapacity. (Petrochemicals).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Chemical Market Reporter, March, 2002 by Brown, Robert

THE PHENOL AND acetone market cent continues to be hurt by overcapacity, flat pricing and weak demand. The market is yet another casualty of the global economic downturn as demand for bisphenol-A, the leading use for phenol, is down from reduced demand for polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Despite reduced operating rates, producers are expected to struggle until the economy turns around and demand improves.

From late 1999 to mid 2000, US phenol producers brought on close to 1.6 billion pounds of new capacity In November 1999, Aristech Corp., now part of Sunoco Chemicals following its S695 million purchase of Aristech last year, brought on 242 million pounds at its Haverhill, Ohio, facility boosting its nameplate at that site to 942 million pounds. In March...

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