China's toluene consumption improved in the past six months, with its average price dropping from last year, owing to the largely expanding capacity and output.
China toluene capacity increased 2,604,000 tonnes/year in H1 2023. Among them, PetroChina Guangdong Petrochemical, Sinopec Hainan Refining & Chemical, and CNOOC Huizhou Petrochemicals all have downstream supporting units, so their toluene products are mainly self-used. Thus, only Jinao (Hubei) Science & Technology Chemical Industry and Sanjiang Chemicals exerted some degree of influence on toluene markets.
Newly-started Toluene Unit Operation Statistics (Unit: '000 t/y)
Province | Enterprise | Capacity | Operation Date | Technology |
Shandong | Hongrun Petrochemical (Weifang) | 396 | Apr-23 | Catalytic Reforming |
Hubei | Jinao (Hubei) Science & Technology Chemical | 150 | Feb-23 | Catalytic Reforming |
Guangdong | CNOOC Huizhou Petrochemicals | 260 | Jun-23 | Catalytic Reforming |
Guangdong | PetroChina Guangdong Petrochemical | 120 | Feb-23 | Steam Cracking |
Guangdong | PetroChina Guangdong Petrochemical | 1,080 | Feb-23 | Catalytic Reforming |
Hainan | Sinopec Hainan Refining & Chemical | 100 | Feb-23 | Steam Cracking |
Hainan | Sinopec Hainan Refining & Chemical | 468 | Feb-23 | Catalytic Reforming |
Zhejiang | Sanjiang Chemicals | 30 | Jun-23 | Steam Cracking |
Total | / | 2,604 | / | / |
Source: OilChem
2022 & 2023 Toluene Output and Capacity Utilization Rate
Source: OilChem
Toluene output grew markedly in H1 2023 compared with H1 2022, due to the starting of large aromatics complex plants, which were centralized mainly on February and June. The routine and unscheduled unit maintenance in some enterprises had limited effects on toluene output.
Toluene Downstream Unit Operation Statistics (Unit: '000 t/y)
Product |
Enterprise |
Design Capacity |
Operation Date |
TDI |
Wanhua Chemical (Fujian) |
250 |
Jun 2023 |
Benzoic Acid |
Hebei Kangshi New Material |
80 |
Apr 2023 |
Source: OilChem
2022 & 2023 Toluene Consumption and Average Price
Source: OilChem
Toluene consumption reached 8,536,100 tonnes in H1, up by 16.98% year-on-year, and its average price was cited at Yuan 7,104.47/t, down by 5.32% on year. Overall, gasoline industry was relatively good, while disproportionation, fine chemicals and solvent industries were sluggish.
Written by Cynthia Xin, xinyue@oilchem.net
Edited by Navy Liu, liuchuanjun@mysteel.net