Updated to mid-November 2009
Asian market review by Anu Agarwal, ICIS pricing
Asian methyl methacrylate (MMA) prices made only small gains of $20-30/tonne from mid-August to mid-November although sellers continued to target higher increments based on rising feedstocks like naphtha.
Prices for isotank cargoes in southeast Asia (SE Asia) rose from $1,680-1,740/tonne CFR (cost and freight) to $1,710-1,760/tonne CFR as supply remained adequate despite decent demand.
Demand from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), especially for the flat screen TV and monitor segment in northeast Asia (NE Asia) and automotive parts for the China market, showed strong demand.
Demand for cast sheets in southeast Asia was also steady. However, competition among sellers and imminent startup of Evonik’s new 100,000 tonne/year MMA facility in China weighed on sentiment.
Chinese MMA prices dropped in this period from $1,600-1,650/tonne CFR China to the low-$1,500s/tonne CFR as the country had imported a lot of material during August and September and local supply was ample.
European market review by Julia Meehan, ICIS pricing
During the period mid-August to mid-November MMA, European contract and spot prices increased as a result of improved demand, higher raw material costs and margin recovery.
The third quarter MMA contract was agreed at €1,280-1,335/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe), up €55/tonne. In the fourth quarter the contract was agreed at €1,340-1,395/tonne FD NWE, up €60/tonne.
In the MMA spot market, prices moved up from €1,220-1,300/tonne FD NWE to €1,280-1,320/tonne.
During the three month period, Arkema continued to experience production problems at its 90,000 tonne/year Carling facility in France.
US market review by Heather McGuire Doyle, ICIS pricing
MMA contract prices in the US for November looked to hold steady after rising by 6% in October. Despite the surge in methanol prices, the drop in acetone was expected to be the heavier weight in November contract negotiations.
Volumes have mostly held steady since peaking in August, but supply was somewhat tight since Lucite’s MMA plant in Beaumont, Texas has been offline all year, buyers said. Material was available through Lucite’s MMA plant in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as other units operated by Evonik, Arkema and Dow, they added.
Pemex Petroquimica (PPQ) has restarted its Mexico acrylonitrile (ACN) plant at Morelos in Coatzacoalcos. PPQ, a subsidiary of state-owned oil refiner Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), shut the plant for renovation last year as part of its partnership with Brazilian chemical company Unigel. As part of the deal, Pemex will control the 60,000 tonne/year unit and Unigel will market the ACN manufactured.
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a by-product of ACN manufacturing and used as a feedstock to MMA production. Unigel is expected to use the feedstock for methacrylates production at its 20,000 tonne/year MMA plant in Coatzacoalcos. The MMA plant could start by the end of the month, sources said.
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Methyl methacrylate
Uses and Outlook
Nearly all methyl methacrylate (MMA) is polymerised to make homopolymers and copolymers with the largest application being the casting, moulding or extrusion of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or modified polymers. This acrylic sheeting has clarity, weather-resistance and light weight properties making it a suitable substitute for glass in safety glazing, panels and illuminated light displays.
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Methyl methacrylate
Process Technologies
ICI first produced MMA in the mid-1930s using a technology that is the basis for the acetone cyanohydrin route used in many plants today. Acetone and hydrogen cyanide are first reacted to produce acetone cyanohydrin. Sulphuric acid converts the cyanohydrin to methacrylamide sulphate which is then treated with a methanol/water mixture and heated to form MMA and ammonium bisulphate.
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