The largest consumer of acetone is acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), which is the precursor to methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid. Nearly all MMA is polymerised to make homopolymers and copolymers. The second largest use for acetone is the manufacture of bisphenol-A (BPA), whose growth is driven by the polycarbonate sector. Other significant outlets for acetone include solvents use. 
With many of acetone's markets mature, growth is close to GDP levels. Around 90% of acetone production is via the cumene route to make phenol, where 0.62 tonnes of acetone is produced with each tonne of phenol. As phenol demand is growing faster than acetone demand, there is concern that this could lead to a surplus in the acetone market.
Acetone is a clear, water-white volatile liquid, slightly hygroscopic with a mild, mint-like fragrant odour. It is highly flammable, miscible in all proportions in water, ethyl alcohol and ether, and will react explosively with strong oxidising agents. When handling acetone, protective goggles, butyl or natural rubber gloves, boots and aprons should be worn.
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Acetone
Uses and Outlook
The largest consumer of acetone is acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), which is the precursor to methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid. Nearly all MMA is polymerised to make homopolymers and copolymers with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resins being the largest application. PMMA is used to make acrylic products such as windows, skylights, lighting fixtures, signs and automotive parts. Methacrylates are also used in latex surface coatings.
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Acetone
Process Technologies
Early processes for the manufacture of acetone were based on the thermal decomposition of calcium acetate or the carbohydrate fermentation of corn starch or molasses. The ready availability of propylene in the 1960s led to routes based on the dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol or cumene peroxidation.
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