Acrylic acid
02 April 2001 00:00 [Source: ICB]
Global markets are more balanced as good demand absorbs
Asia's excess capacity. Several projects are being implemented
despite producers' poor margins
Updated from product profile, ECN 7 June
1999
Uses
Glacial (distilled) acrylic acid is used in superabsorbent
polymers (SAPs), which account for 26% of the world market, as well
as in polymers for detergents and polymer dispersions. Crude
(unrefined) material can be used captively to produce esters and
other derivatives. Esters are the major derivative of acrylic acid,
accounting for 55% of global demand, and are used almost
exclusively to make a wide variety of polymers. Emulsion polymers
containing acrylate esters are used in the paint, paper, textile,
adhesives, speciality coatings and ink industries.
Supply/demand
West European production was 751 000 tonne in 2000 with
consumption of 741 000 tonne, according to Chem Systems
consultancy. Global markets are balanced as steady demand in Europe
and the US absorb overcapacity in Asia. Exports to Europe continue
from US, Latin America and Asia, although Asian volumes are said to
have decreased during the last year. Stockhausen has formed a 50:50
joint venture with Rohm and Haas and brought onstream an extra 75
000 tonne/ year at Marl during 2000. In addition, Dow Celanese
started up an 80 000 tonne/year unit at Böhlen and BASF
Petronas commissioned its acrylics complex in Kuantan,
Malaysia.
Pricing
European contracts rolled over in quarter one with the majority
of business being done between E1100-1300/tonne. Producers have
announced an increase in quarter two contracts of about E30/tonne.
US producers tried at the beginning of the year to push through
previously announced hikes of 3-8 cent/lb but by mid-February
prices had remained flat for the majority of consumers who had
price hikes in 2000. February contract prices for glacial grade
were 53-58 cent/lb. Asian spot prices in March were $950-970/tonne
cif NEA.
Technology
Most modern plants use gas phase oxidation of propylene via
acrolein which produces acrolein, acrylic acid, acetaldehyde and
carbon oxides. The reaction can be carried out in single or
two-step processes but the latter is favoured because of higher
yields. Acrylic acid from primary oxidation can be recovered while
the acrolein is fed to a second step to make acrylic acid.
Purification can be carried out by azeotropic distillation. The old
acetylene, carbon dioxide and water or alcohol route has been
largely abandoned.
Health and safety
Acrylic acid is a clear, corrosive liquid with an acrid odour.
It is flammable, volatile and mildly toxic. Vapours can flow along
surfaces to a distant ignition source and flash back while
vapour-air mixtures are explosive above flashpoint. It is normally
stabilised with inhibitors as it polymerises readily in the
presence of oxygen. It is soluble in water, alcohols, esters and
many organic solvents. The vapour is a strong irritant to the skin,
eyes and mucous membranes.
Outlook
Global growth rates are rated at about 5%/year. To 2010, Chem
Systems forecasts growth of 3.6%/year for acrylate esters and
4.8%/year for SAPs, detergents and flocculants. Several new
projects are planned or under way. BASF plans units of 160 000
tonne/year in Nanjing, China, and Guarantigueta, Brazil. StoHaas is
expanding to between 250 000-300 000 tonne/year at Marl by 2003 and
plans a new plant in Brazil. Sasol/Mitsubishi plan new plants in
Sasolburg, South Africa, for 20003. Rohm and Haas is
debottlenecking to 574 000 tonne/year by end 2001 when American
Acryl's new 120 000 tonne/year plant in Bayport, Texas, is due to
complete. Celanese is also adding 79 000 tonne/year this year.
###9969###
GLOBAL CRUDE ACRYLIC ACID CAPACITY, '000 TONNE/YEAR
| Company |
Location |
Capacity |
| Atofina |
Carling, France |
240 |
| BASF |
Antwerp, Belgium |
160 |
| Dow Celanese |
Böhlen, Germany |
80 |
|
Sokolov, Czech Republic |
50 |
| StoHaas |
Marl, Germany |
165 |
| BASF |
Freeport, Texas, US |
300 |
| Celanese |
Clear Lake, Texas, US |
285 |
| Union Carbide |
Taft, Louisiana, US |
109 |
| BASF Petronas |
Kuantan, Malaysia |
160 |
| Beijing Eastern |
Beijing, China |
40 |
| Jilin Chemical |
Jilin, China |
30 |
| LG Chemical |
Naju, South Korea |
120 |
| Nisshoku TriPolyta Acrylindo |
|
Pulau Sakra, Singapore |
60 |
Source: Chem Systems
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