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World consumption of phthalic anhydride was more than 3.5 million metric tons
in 2006. Global capacity utilization was slightly higher in 2006 because of
a slower pace of capacity expansions and moderate world demand. Between 2003
and 2006, world capacity for phthalic anhydride grew at an average annual rate
of 1.5%, trailing world consumption. Increased demand in some regions, mainly
Asia, was balanced by moderate demand in the United States and Western Europe
and weak demand in Japan. The largest net importing region for phthalic anhydride
is Southeast Asia; China is the largest importing country. The largest exporting
countries are Taiwan, India and the Republic of Korea.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of phthalic anhydride by end
use:
Plasticizers account for the majority of world consumption of phthalic anhydride,
followed by alkyd resins and unsaturated polyester resins (UPR). Other smaller-volume
applications include polyester polyols, saccharin, pigments, dyes and flame
retardants. Demand for most downstream markets for phthalic anhydride is greatly
influenced by general economic conditions. As a result, demand for phthalic
anhydride largely follows the patterns of the leading world economies. Consumption
of phthalic anhydride depends heavily on construction/remodeling activity (residential
and nonresidential), automotive production and original equipment manufacture
(OEM).
World consumption of phthalic anhydride grew at an average annual rate of
2.3% during 2003–2006—partly the result of a recovering world economy
since 2001. Strong Asian demand in all applications boosted world demand during
2003–2006. World consumption is forecast to grow at an average annual
rate of 3.0% during 2006–2011. Continuing rapid demand growth in some
regions, particularly in Asia (excluding Japan), mainly for plasticizers and
UPR, will balance out moderate growth in some markets, such as the United States,
and marginal growth in Western Europe. Weakening demand for phthalic anhydride
in plasticizers and negative growth for alkyd resins are the main factors behind
slower demand in the United States and Western Europe.
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