Global Information Source for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries
ACRYLIC ACID.
Appearance
Clear, colorless, corrosive liquid
Molecular formula
C3H4O2
Assay
99.7%
Application
Application sector | End user sector |
---|---|
Acrylic esters (acrylates) - methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate |
Paints, adhesives, leather, textile and paper coatings Acrylic fibre |
Glacial acrylic acid |
Coatings, adhesives, inks, lubricants, saturants, and plastics Speciality esters Superabsorbent polymers |
Polyacrylic acid | Water treatment chemicals Detergent cobuilders |
Process outline
Most plants produce acrylic acid via a two-step oxidation process in which propylene is oxidized to make acrylic acid.
The process also generates acrolein, which can be further oxidized at high temperatures to form acrylic acid.
New plants will likely produce acrylic acid through one-step propylene oxidation, analysts say.
Global Scenario
Global installed capacity
5 million metric tonnes per annum
Global demand
4.8 million metric tonnes per annum
Growth rate in demand through 2015
3.7% per annum
Major global producers
Major global producers include the following :
- Dow Chemical
- Rohm and Haas
- BASF
- Sasol
- Formosa