Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is used in water-based paints, adhesives, acrylic fibres, paper coatings and non-woven binder applications. Approximately 47% of VAM production volumes go into polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which is a primary molecule in paints, adhesives, and other coatings previously mentioned.
Approximately 30% of the VAM output goes into polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), which is used in packaging film and glass laminates.
The remaining percentage of VAM volumes go into ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier resins and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which is used in automobile windows. EVA and EVOH are providing new areas for uses in co-polymers for specialty adhesives and packaging films.
VAM vapour irritates the eyes, the skin and the upper respiratory tract. It may also cause effects on the lungs, resulting in tissue lesions. It causes dizziness and drowsiness while contact with the liquid will defat the skin leading to blisters.
ICIS pricing quotes VAM in Europe, Asia-Pacific and US Gulf.
To find out more Vinyl Acetate Monomer Methodology October 2012
