MA Maleic anhydride
08 March 1999 00:00 [Source: ICB]
From a position of having to import MA to satisfy domestic
demand in the 1990s, the tables have now turned with increased
European production facing competition from Asian exports.
Supply/demand
Europe has been unable to meet domestic demand for MA since
plant closures in the early 1990s and is a net importer of about
20000-25000 tonne/year. However, European production will rise from
about 330000 tonne/year to more than 500000 tonne/year by 2000.
Supply/demand in Europe was fairly balanced during 1998 but supply
is now long because of increased Asian exports, new capacity and
slower demand in Europe.
Exports from South Korea, Japan and Taiwan totalled at least
11000 tonne in 1998. Sisas started up another 50000 tonne/year
reactor at Feluy, Belgium, in quarter one and will bring onstream
an additional 50 000 tonne/ year in September, taking its total
capacity to 270000 tonne/year. Huntsman-Condea's new 40 000
tonne/year plant will start up mid-year at Moers-Meerbeck,
Germany.
US markets have remained fairly tight since the closure of
Bayer's Baytown, Houston, plant in late 1997. Ashland Chemical and
Bartek expanded production to 43000 tonne/year and 27000 tonne/year
respectively in the second half of 1998.
Uses
Unsaturated polyester resins account for more than 50% of MA
consumption with 1,4-butanediol (BDO) now the second most important
outlet. Other uses are in plasticisers, surface coatings,
agrochemicals, lubricants, fumaric acid and malic acid. MA is
commercially available in bulk in liquid or solid (flake) form.
###7422###
Technology
MA is produced commercially by the oxidation of benzene or
butane. Although the butane-based process is considered to have
superior economics, Lonza claims its fixed bed benzene route is
competitive in low cost revamps and medium-size plants.
MA can be produced from butane in either fixed bed or fluidised
bed processes, with licences offered by BP Amoco, Huntsman, Lonza,
Sisas and Scientific Design. High growth rates for the derivative
BDO have driven butane-to-BDO integrated technologies, with
projects being developed by BP and Lurgi, Huntsman and Kvaerner,
BASF and Kvaerner, and Eurodiol (Sisas).
Health and safety
Contact with MA can cause severe burns of the skin and eyes with
the extent of injury not immediately apparent. Exposure to dust or
vapour may irritate the nose, throat and lungs, and can cause a
skin or lung allergy. MA is a combustible solid and should be
extinguished with CO2 or alcohol foam as other dry chemicals and
water may cause an explosion. Poisonous gas is produced in a
fire.
Prices
Prices in Europe have been consistently dropping since January
1998's level of DM2.10-2.30/kg. Current contract prices are about
DM1.30/kg and set to fall further in quarter two under pressure
from new capacity and Asian imports. US markets are more buoyant
and prices are now 44-47 cent/lb for molten, although they are
expected to come under pressure as availability will improve later
this year when Huntsman stops its pre- marketing exports to
Europe.
Asian markets are oversupplied and demand is flat. Prices are
below $800/tonne cif and expected to weaken.
US AND EUROPEAN MALEIC ANHYDRIDE CAPACITY, '000 TONNE/YEAR
| Company |
Location |
Capacity |
| Lonza |
Bergamo, Italy |
40 000 |
| BASF |
Ludwigshafen, Germany |
3000 |
| Condea- |
Moers-Meerbeck, |
12 000 |
| Chemie Linz |
Linz, Austria |
30 000 |
| Polioli |
Verceili, Italy |
26 000 |
| Sisas |
Feluy, Belgium |
220 000 |
| Iplas |
Koper, Slovenia |
2000 |
| KBK |
Lukavac, Bosnia |
10 000 |
| MOL |
Szazhalombatta, Hungary |
13 000 |
| Petro Brazi |
Ploiesti, Romania |
12 000 |
| ZA Kedzierzyn |
Kedzierzyn, Poland |
7000 |
| Bayer |
Baytown, Texas, US |
60 000 |
| Ashland |
Neal, West Virginia, US |
43 000 |
|
Neville Island, Pensylvania, US |
20 000 |
| Bartek |
Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada |
27 000 |
| Huntsman |
Pensacola, Florida, US |
110 000 |
| Amoco |
Joliet, Illinois, US |
45 000 |
SOURCE: TECNON/ECN
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