Petrochemicals: A Sector in Secular Decline
As the economics of petrochemicals weaken, sustainable solutions are emerging.
Oil and gas companies are betting big on the continued importance of petrochemicals to our daily lives. In fact, the use of petrochemicals in the medical, aviation and industrial sectors is causing these companies to make shaky investments in new production facilities to meet a perceived future demand. Some policymakers are also looking to the industry as partners to build local economies.
Here’s what investors, decision makers, and community leaders need to consider when a company proposes to build a petrochemical plant in their community:
The proof is in the projects
Anyone betting on the future of the petrochemical industry should take a careful look at recent trends. The pace of project delays and cancellations across the U.S. make it clear: trouble lies ahead for new petrochemical facilities.
A growing consensus
State and local communities, intergovernmental organizations, and even credit agencies are all reaching a similar conclusion: the world doesn’t need more petrochemical products.
The future favors innovation
As the economics of petrochemicals weaken, a growing number of sustainable solutions are emerging. Innovative companies and industries are developing alternatives that eliminate or greatly reduce the need for polluting, fossil-based feedstocks.
Petrochemicals Updates
Another chemical plant in Louisiana has indefinitely suspended all production following dire financial results, the facility’s operators announced in mid-May.
The Denka Performance Elastomer plant in St John parish has long been associated with chronic air pollution issues. This is another example of the challenges facing the petrochemical industry.
On May 2, 2025, Air Products announced the suspension of it $4.5 billion Louisiana Clean energy Complex, a significant retreat from the state’s energy sector. The Acesnsion Parish facility was hyped as producing blue hydrogen-to-ammonia and capture and sequester 5 million tons of CO2 annually.
The decision to stop investment comes on the heels of local opposition including moratoria on seismic testing and injection wells, both critical components of the project. Although a federal judge struck down the moratoria, residents expressed fears over potential contamination of Lake Maurepas and broader environmental impacts.
Since 2024, Air Products has withdrawn from several significant US-based projects including projects in California, New York, and Texas. The withdraw of Air Products from these projects continues to show that petrochemicals are a risky investment.
Mitsubishi has announced that it has resolved to terminate consideration of a new methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer plant in Geismar, Louisiana. Many of the reasons the company cited for doing so were first detailed in IEEFA’s July 2024 report about the risks of the plant, which had already been delayed at the time of the report.
New reporting from The Guardian reveals how residents in Pennsylvania are accusing Shell of overstating the benefits of its ethane cracker plant - and are downplaying the harms. The article quotes IEEFA analyst Abhishek Sinha who recently wrote about the financial struggles the plant is facing.
New reporting from Floodlight highlights how more tax breaks for fossil fuels won't grow the economy in Louisiana. The in-depth article covers IEEFA's report, The declining significance of the petrochemical industry in Louisiana, stating, “At the turn of the 21st century, Louisiana had one of the country’s fastest-growing economies, placing sixth among the states for five-year average gross domestic product (GDP) growth”, according to the report. “Today, Louisiana is 49th out of 50 states in GDP growth. It also ranks 49th in population growth and 45th in median household income.”