More than 50% of world maleic anhydride (MA) output is used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR). Chopped glass fibres are added to UPR to produce fibreglass reinforced plastics which are used in a wide range of applications such as pleasure boats, bathroom fixtures, automobiles, tanks and pipes. However, the UPR market is affected by general economic conditions being tied to the construction, automobile and marine industries.
The production of 1,4-butandiol (BDO) is also having an impact on the MA market. BDO is one of the world’s fastest growing chemicals used in the production of thermoplastic polyurethanes, elastane/Spandex fibres, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins and many other products. However, BDO is made from a crude MA which is not traded and only used for this application.
A weaker area for MA is lubricating oil additives, which accounts for 10% of MA demand in the US. These additives are used in gasoline and diesel engine crankcase oils as dispersants and corrosion inhibitors. Changes in lubricant specifications and more efficient engines have had a negative effect on the demand for lubricating oil additives, giving flat growth prospects for MA in this application.
World MA consumption is forecast by consultants to grow at around 3%/year up to 2010. Growth will be slower in western Europe and the US but higher in central and eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia, in particular China.
MA growth in the US is expected to be 2.5%/year to 2009, somewhat below GDP growth. According to CMR, demand in the US will increase from 254,000 tonnes in 2005 to 281,000 tonnes in 2009.
Capacity is being expanded in North America. Huntsman, which is being bought by Hexion, is building a 45,000 tonne/year plant at Geismar, Louisiana, due for start-up in late 2008 or early 2009. Canada’s Bartek Chemical is expanding its 25,000 tonne/year plant to 35,000 tonne/year by the end of 2007, with a further expansion to 50,000 tonnes/year by the end of 2009 under study.
Growth in central and south America is expected to be higher than North America at around 4%/year. South African MS producer Isegen plans to build a 20,000 tonnes/year plant in Trinidad and Tobago in partnership with the country’s Phoenix Park Gas Processor. This plant should go on-stream in 2010.
In western Europe, the MA market is mature with growth predicted around 1.5-2.0%/year, while in central and eastern Europe growth is much stronger at 4%/year. There have also been plant closures in Europe. Romania’s Petrom closed its 12,000 tonnes/year plant in June as part of a restructuring programme. More consolidation is expected in Europe, particularly benzene-based production. However, Russia’s OAO Acrylat is planning to build a 25,000-30,000 tonnes/year plant in 2008-2009.
In Asia, China is the most important MA market. According to China Chemical Reporter, China produced 236,000 tonne in 2004 while it consumed 229,700 tonne in the same year. Overall demand is expected to reach 394,000 tonne by 2010.
China produced around 800,000 tonne of UPRs during 2004, requiring around 160,000 tonne of MA. In 2010, China expects to produce 1.4m tonne of UPR with demand for MA rising to about 280,000 tonne in this application.
A number of expansions and projects are planned in Asia. China Bluestar Harbin Petrochemical is expanding MA capacity by 20,000 tonnes/year at Heilongjiang, China. Taiwan’s Nan Ya Plastics is building a 40,000 tonnes/year plant at Mailiao, due for completion in 2008.
(Updated: October 2007. Sources: ICB Chemical Profiles, 14 September 2007 and 18 August 2006).
Maleic anhydride
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Maleic anhydride
Process Technologies
Maleic anhydride (MA) is produced commercially by the oxidation of benzene or butane. Although the butane-based process is considered to have superior economics and is the preferred route, Lonza claims its fixed bed benzene route is competitive in low cost revamps and medium-size plants. However, when the cost of benzene is high, this route is much less attractive.
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