Chemicals

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Chemical plant availability%

 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Average worldwide

89

93

92

90

85
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Chemicals sales volumes [A]Thousand tonnes

 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

3,666

4,069

4,059

3,670

3,000

Intermediates and others

1,872

1,994

2,056

2,073

1,936

Total

5,538

6,063

6,115

5,743

4,936

Asia

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

1,057

2,140

2,515

2,200

2,319

Intermediates and others

2,848

3,082

3,243

2,927

3,576

Total

3,905

5,222

5,758

5,127

5,895

Oceania

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

–

–

–

–

–

Intermediates and others

–

–

–

–

–

Total

–

–

–

–

–

Africa

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

–

–

–

–

–

Intermediates and others

–

–

–

22

37

Total

–

–

–

22

37

Americas

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

3,261

3,842

3,839

4,041

3,036

Intermediates and others

2,519

2,517

2,527

2,359

3,244

Total

5,780

6,359

6,366

6,400

6,280

Total product sales

 

 

 

 

 

Base chemicals

7,984

10,051

10,413

9,911

8,355

Intermediates and others

7,239

7,593

7,826

7,381

8,793

Total

15,223

17,644

18,239

17,292

17,148

[A]

Excludes feedstock trading and by-products.
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Ethylene capacity [A]Thousand tonnes/year

 

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Europe

1,701

1,701

1,702

1,702

1,702

Asia

2,530

2,529

1,904

2,222

2,222

Oceania

–

–

–

–

–

Africa

–

–

–

–

–

Americas

2,268

2,268

2,267

2,235

2,235

Total

6,499

6,498

5,873

6,159

6,159

[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.
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
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