Phthalic Anhydride (PA), accounting for just over half of production, is in the manufacture of phthalate plasticisers, the main product being dioctyl phthalate (DOP) which is used as a plasticiser in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Hence, the consumption of PA is mainly dependent on the growth of PVC, which is sensitive to general economic conditions as it is consumed mainly in the construction and automobile industries.