Chemicals

Chemical plant availability

%

 

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Average worldwide

90

85

85

92

91

Chemicals sales volumes [A]

Thousand tonnes

 

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

[A]

Excludes feedstock trading and by-products.

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

3,670

3,000

3,287

3,423

3,771

Intermediates and others

2,073

1,936

2,019

2,281

2,626

Total

5,743

4,936

5,306

5,704

6,397

Asia

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

2,200

2,319

2,220

2,266

2,588

Intermediates and others

2,927

3,576

2,901

2,989

3,074

Total

5,127

5,895

5,121

5,255

5,662

Oceania

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

Intermediates and others

35

62

75

Total

35

62

75

Africa

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

Intermediates and others

22

37

43

47

54

Total

22

37

43

47

54

Americas

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

4,041

3,036

3,251

3,218

3,336

Intermediates and others

2,359

3,244

3,252

3,100

3,145

Total

6,400

6,280

6,503

6,318

6,481

Total product sales

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

9,911

8,355

8,758

8,907

9,695

Intermediates and others

7,381

8,793

8,250

8,479

8,974

Total

17,292

17,148

17,008

17,386

18,669

Ethylene capacity [A]

Thousand tonnes/year

 

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

[A]

Includes the Shell share of capacity entitlement (offtake rights) of joint ventures and associates, which may be different from nominal equity interest. Nominal capacity is quoted at December 31.

Europe

1,702

1,702

1,659

1,659

1,659

Asia

2,222

2,222

1,922

1,922

1,922

Oceania

Africa

Americas

2,235

2,235

2,212

2,212

2,212

Total

6,159

6,159

5,793

5,793

5,793

Chemical products and their major applications

Product group

Some typical end uses

Base chemicals:

ethylene, propylene and aromatics

Feedstock for petrochemical derivatives typically used for:

polyethylene film for packaging, carrier bags, polypropylene for moulded plastic buckets, food containers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for drain pipes

Ethylene oxide/glycols (EO/G)

Brake fluids, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, polyester, packaging, antifreeze

Higher olefins and derivatives (HODer)

Sunscreen, shower gel, automobile interiors, wire insulation, detergents

Styrene monomer

Polystyrene, fridge insulation, tyres, food containers, crash helmets, film scenery

Propylene oxide and derivatives

Insulation, foam for bedding and car interiors, engineering plastics, aeroplane de-icers, cosmetics

Solvents

Pharmaceuticals, paints, mining and metalworking fluids, adhesives, inks, hand sanitisers

Phenol

Plywood, kitchen worktops, fibreglass boats, car parts, CDs, circuit boards