Chemicals

-1 Chemicals Shell Investors’ Handbook 2013-2017
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Chemical plant availability

%

 

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Average worldwide

92

90

85

85

92
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Chemicals sales volumes [A]

Thousand tonnes

 

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

[A]

Excludes feedstock trading and by-products.

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

4,059

3,670

3,000

3,287

3,423

Intermediates and others

2,056

2,073

1,936

2,019

2,281

Total

6,115

5,743

4,936

5,306

5,704

Asia

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

2,515

2,200

2,319

2,220

2,266

Intermediates and others

3,243

2,927

3,576

2,901

2,989

Total

5,758

5,127

5,895

5,121

5,255

Oceania

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

 

–

–

–

–

Intermediates and others

 

–

–

35

62

Total

 

–

–

35

62

Africa

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

 

–

–

–

–

Intermediates and others

 

22

37

43

47

Total

 

22

37

43

47

Americas

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

3,839

4,041

3,036

3,251

3,218

Intermediates and others

2,527

2,359

3,244

3,252

3,100

Total

6,366

6,400

6,280

6,503

6,318

Total product sales

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

10,413

9,911

8,355

8,758

8,907

Intermediates and others

7,826

7,381

8,793

8,250

8,479

Total

18,239

17,292

17,148

17,008

17,386
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Ethylene capacity [A]

Thousand tonnes/year

 

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

[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

1,702

1,659

1,659

Asia

1,904

2,222

2,222

1,922

1,922

Oceania

 

–

–

–

–

Africa

 

–

–

–

–

Americas

2,267

2,235

2,235

2,212

2,212

Total

5,873

6,159

6,159

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