The Use of Naphtha & Other Oils Refined from Crude Oil for Plastic Production Drives the Petroleum Liquid Feedstock Market

Introduction

The petrochemical industry is the engine that drives the petroleum liquid feedstock market, with plastic, construction, and transportation end-use industries, among others, driving demand. One key application of petroleum liquid feedstock is in the manufacturing of aromatics. The demand for aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, xylene, and toluene, is expected to drive the petroleum liquid feedstock market during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

Demand for Ethane and Naphtha Drives the Production of Petroleum Liquid Feedstock

The petroleum refining industry is set to witness enhanced output with the increase in oil and gas prices, which is expected to drive the petroleum liquid feedstock market during the forecast period. The production of petrochemicals requires an enormous amount of crude oil, gas, and other derivatives. In 2018, a large share of chemicals used as petrochemical feedstocks was derived from crude oil and gas in the form of naphtha and ethane; therefore, the rising demand for ethane and naphtha will propel the petroleum liquid feedstock market.

Regional Analysis

The U.S., Europe, and China Plastics Industries Compete as the Key-Value Shareholders Globally

The petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers and act as basic building blocks for manufacturing plastics. Plastics are used in several industries despite their harmful repercussions on the environment. The U.S. and Europe plastic industries are neck-and-neck in competition with Asia.

For a very long time, North America and Europe drove and dominated global plastics production. Today, China has surpassed Europe and the U.S., with a 25% share, and is the largest producer of plastics. It is followed by Europe with a 20% share and the U.S. with a 19.5% share. Together, the U.S. and Europe account for 45% of the world’s plastic production. The demand for plastics increased at a consistent rate of 3.7% per year during 2012–2017.

Competitive Players

1. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company 
2. Exxon Mobil Corporation 
3. China National Petroleum Corporation 
4. Shell 
5. Flint Hills Resources 
6. Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. 
7. China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation 
8. Royal Dutch Shell plc 
9. TOTAL S.A. 
10. British Petroleum 
11. Reliance Industries 
12. YPF

Recent Developments

• July 2024- Parker-Hannifin announced a USD 1.2 billion acquisition of a leading fluid control company, enhancing its product portfolio and market reach.
• April 2024- India's Reliance Industries announced a USD 10 billion investment in expanding its petrochemical complex.

Segmentation

1. By Type
   
   1. Naphtha
      
      1. Heavy Naphtha
      2. Light Naphtha
   2. Gas Oil
2. By End Product
   
   1. Ethylene
   2. Benzene
   3. Propylene
   4. Hexane
   5. Naphthalene
   6. Others