8th Annual Asia Chemical Conference Online (incorporating the Acrylonitrile, Fibres & Derivatives Conference)

Instructors:
Mark Eramo – Global Vice President, Energy and Chemicals, IHS Markit
Tony Potter – Vice President, Specialty Chemicals, IHS Markit

While hot topic issues such as shale gas and tight oil in the US are of current interest and rightfully receive a lot of attention and press, it is imperative to have a good understanding of key industry fundamentals to
appreciate how these hot topic issues impact profitability.

This workshop reviews key industry fundamentals starting with the foundation of the petrochemical industry – feedstocks, including natural gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), crude oil fractions, especially naphtha, coal and renewables. The feedstock session then leads into a thorough discussion of the industry building blocks – olefins (ethylene, propylene, butadiene) and aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes) businesses. Finally, the large volume thermoplastics including the polyethylenes (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE), polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene and polyester/PET as well as C1-based chemicals synthesis gas (syngas), ammonia and methanol are covered. Within each of these topics key suppliers, demand profiles and pricing is discussed. Especially important for industry newcomers is that our instructors will clarify the technical jargon commonly used in the petrochemical industry.

Agenda:

Welcome and Overview
Introduction to Petrochemicals and Feedstocks

Introduction to the Olefins Business

• Ethylene
• Propylene
• C4 Olefins

Introduction to Thermoplastics

• Polyethylenes: LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE
• Polypropylene
• PVC

 
The Aromatics Business

• Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes
• Polyester/PET
• Polystyrene and EPS

What Delegates will receive:

• PDF copy of workshop presentations
• Certificates of course completion upon request

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants an overview of the key elements and profitability drivers of the petrochemical industry, from industry newcomers to experienced workers needing a refresher course. The course is designed to be of interest to both technical and non-technical people including business analysts, purchasing agents, sales and marketing personnel, researchers, process engineers, bankers and finance professionals, lawyers, HR staff, as well as downstream processors and fabricators.

This course will provide a foundational understanding of polyolefins markets and trade, the commercial impact of polyolefins technologies on cost competitiveness, and explore trends and developments in polyolefins sustainability and how it will impact future growth.

It is especially important for industry newcomers is that our instructors will clarify the technical jargon commonly used in the petrochemical industry.

Workshop Content:

• Brief Introduction to olefins
• Introduction to Polymers and Market Fundamentals
  • Discussion on polyethylene (LDPE/LLDPE/HDPE) and polypropylene businesses, demand drivers, key producers, and inter-regional trade.
• Polyolefin Competitiveness
  • Discussion on cost of production methodologies, definition of terms (variable costs, fixed costs, cash costs), and comparative regional economics.
  • Comparison of advantages/disadvantages of polyolefin process technologies,
  • The economics will be put into context by presentation of global cost curves for both olefins and polyolefins.
• Sustainability and the Circular Economy
  • Explores trends and developments in sustainability
  • Potential impact on growth of polyolefins

What Delegates will receive:

• PDF copy of workshop presentations
• Certificates of course completion upon request
• Access to IHS Markit polyolefins experts

Who is it for?

Those new to the polyolefins business, as well as experienced professionals, wishing to expand and update their knowledge and understanding of how the latest “hot topic” issues are driving change along the entire polyolefins value chain — from feedstocks through to the basic olefins and plastics. The workshop is designed to be of interest and value to both technical and commercially oriented participants.