摘要

The process of consolidation in the British petrochemicals sector in 2007 saw a number of mergers and acquisitions which will improve vertical integration in the petrochemicals chain and improve competitiveness in the long run, according to BMI's latest UK Petrochemicals Report.

In November 2007, Akzo Nobel shareholders approved the acquisition of ICI. The shareholders' approval paved the way for the GBP8.1bn (US$16.5bn) deal to go ahead in January 2008. The new Akzo group will feature three business divisions; decorative paints; performance coatings; and specialty chemicals. ICI's specialty polymers and regional and industrial activities will move to Akzo's newlyformed specialty chemicals division. In December 2007, Eastman Chemical Company entered into agreements with Thailand's Indorama to sell its PET facility and related businesses in the UK, in addition to both its PET and PTA facilities in the Netherlands. The transaction is expected to amount to EUR226mn (US$330mn) and is expected to close in Q108. The sale includes Eastman's polyethylene terephthalate (PET) facility in Workington, UK, but not its acetate tow production at the same site. BMI has revised its method of risk scoring in the petrochemicals sector, introducing dynamic scores that reflect on future growth as well as current capacities and the size of the internal market, along with investment risk assessments of the political, economic and regulatory environments. The UK scores 75.2 points putting it in fourth place in our Global Petrochemicals Rankings, 1.2 points ahead of Saudi Arabia and 2.2 points behind China.

The UK has a privatised energy sector operating under EU guidelines. There is a major, but mature and highly competitive upstream oil and gas segment, featuring most key national and international companies. The downstream oil segment is also competitive and deregulated. International and domestic operators control gas distribution and supply, as well as electricity generation and distribution. The UK has 2.89mn tonnes per annum (tpa) of ethylene manufacturing capacity, divided between five facilities. It is ranked 11th globally, with a 2.6% share of the world's total ethylene supply. The UK is positioned third among EU producers, after France and Germany. The country's chemical industry produces and sells products worth GBP50bn (US$87bn) annually, of which exports account for about half.

In the UK, no major cracker expansion is planned over the forecast period this decade, and no significant additions have been announced. Cracker utilisation rates are expected to rise as the domestic and regional economic climate improves, leading to continued export growth. In 2006, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) imports fell slightly, with domestic production able to keep up with demand growth. Ethylene exports fell by 2.9% to an estimated 1.0mn tonnes, while propylene exports rose 13.1% to 370,000 tonnes. Ethylene exports are likely to decline sharply from 2008 due to demand for feedstock from the new low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in Wilton. This will be partly offset by the net reduction of 125,000tpa of polymer production capacity at Grangemouth. BMI believes that polyethylene (PE) exports will remain negligible, while additional PP capacity at Grangemouth will see PP exports rise throughout the forecast period.

概述

Independent 5 year petrochemicals industry forecasts for UK.
Original Petrochemicals market research and petrochemicals sector trend analysis for the British petrochemicals industry.
Competitive intelligence, British petrochemicals company rankings and SWOT analyses on international and domestic petrochemicals companies in the British market.
The UK Petrochemicals Report has been researched at source, and features latest-available data covering oil and gas, oil refining, olefins (ethylene, propylene), polyolefin’s (polyethylene, polypropylene), polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene; nitrogen, hydrochloric acid, paintwork products and more; 5-year industry forecasts through end-2011; company rankings and competitive landscapes covering leading multinational and national operators; and analysis of latest industry trends, opportunities and regulatory changes.

ThE UK Petrochemicals Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the British petrochemicals industry.
 
 
 Key Benefits of Report

Benchmark BMI’s Independent 5-year Petrochemicals Industry Forecasts to test other views – a key input for successful budgetary and planning in the British strategic petrochemicals market.
Target Business Opportunities & Risks in the British Petrochemicals Sector through our reviews of latest industry trends, regulatory changes and major deals, projects and investments in UK.
Exploit the Latest Competitive British Petrochemicals Intelligence & company SWOTS on your competitors and peers through company rankings by sales, market share and ownership structure – includes multi-national and national companies in UK.