China may almost double its propylene production capacity by 2011 to around 14.7 million mt--up sharply from 7.4 million mt in 2005, according to a forecast by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Beating the global average of 4.1%.It expected to grow yearly on an average of 12.3% between 2005 and 2011.

The ministry told that the only region surpassing China's growth rate will be the Middle East, which is expected to see its propylene capacity exploding by 239%, from 2.6 million mt in 2005 to 8.8 million mt in 2011.

METI estimates that between 2005 and 2011 the Middle East will see an average yearly propylene capacity growth rate of 22.2%.