GlobalData predicts China will account for the largest single majority of petrochemical capacity additions between now and 2030
Saudi Aramco is in the process of acquiring petrochemicals giant SABIC (Credit: Zhejiang Petrochemicals)
Almost half of the world’s petrochemical capacity additions by 2030 will come from Asia, according to GlobalData.
In its latest report, the market intelligence firm projects petrochemicals capacity will grow rapidly over the next nine years from around 1,500 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2018 to more than 2,100 mtpa by 2027.
It also suggests Asia and the Middle East will play host to the majority of the 1,320 planned and announced plants scheduled to come online over the next decade.
China will account for the largest single majority of this, with a projected capacity addition of 152.4 mtpa to come from its 305 planned and announced petrochemical stations in the pipeline.
GlobalData oil and gas analyst Dayanand Kharade said: “Asia will continue to dominate the global petrochemicals market in the mid-term with both the biggest number of new projects and the largest absolute capacity expansion driven by economic growth of China, India and other Asian countries.”
Projected petrochemical capacity additions around the world
Following Asia, GlobalData expects the Middle East to account for the largest amount of capacity additions with regards to petrochemicals.
Iran is projected to have 152 planned and announced plants, adding capacity of around 73.3 mtpa, by 2030 – making for a total estimated cost of more than $50bn (£38bn).
Most of this will be driven by National Petrochemical Co, Badr-e-Shargh Petrochemical Co and Sepehr Makran Iran – three of the top petrochemical firms in the country.
“The Middle East will add 20% of global capacity additions, with Iran accounting for around two thirds of the region’s capacity additions,” added Mr Kharade.
Additionally, the US’ planned and announced petrochemical plants are expected to add more than 65 mtpa to its total capacity over the next decade, with the country pouring more than $60bn (£46bn) of capex into the area during that period.
Formosa Plastics Group, IGP Methanol LLC and NW Innovation Works are expected to account for the lion’s share.
Russia’s projected capex of nearly $40bn (£30bn) is expected to bring it 41.2 mtpa of capacity additions by 2030, with Sibur Holding and Rosneft Oil Co pioneering its progress.
Most of the petrochemical additions in Africa, meanwhile, are expected to come out of Egypt, which has 10.1 mtpa worth of planned and announced plants, enabled by $11.7bn (£8.9bn) of capex.
As for Europe, Belgium will be the main driving force, with plans to spend $1.6bn (£1.2bn) on capacity additions of roughly 1.9 mtpa, expected to come onstream by 2030.
Lastly, South America’s Brazil will account for the largest single majority of its projected 8.7 mtpa capacity additions – making for a $9.6bn (£7.3bn) cost.
Hengli Petrochemical, Rosneft Oil Co and Zhejiang Rongsheng Holding Group Co Ltd are the key companies behind this.