What are the cost differences between BDO production routes and which technology is most competitive?

What are the cost differences between BDO production routes and which technology is most competitive?
BDO production economics vary sharply by feedstock and location. In 2022, the calcium carbide (acetylene) route was the lowest-cost method, with production costs around 10,374 yuan per ton based on northwest China carbide prices of 3,900 yuan/ton and methanol at 2,640 yuan/ton. However, costs differ significantly even within this route: plants with captive carbide in Shaanxi enjoy the strongest advantage. Natural gas-based BDO shows extreme regional variation — with gas at 1.5 yuan/cubic meter, costs drop to just 6,900 yuan/ton, but at 4.3 yuan/cubic meter in eastern China, costs rise to 14,180 yuan/ton, making it the least competitive option. The maleic anhydride route, once dominant, largely exited China after 2013 due to losses, though it is now seeing renewed interest in integrated PBAT projects. Process choice is thus less about technology superiority and more about feedstock access and integration.