CEH Report
Table of Contents
Abstract
Acrylic acid and esters are perhaps the most versatile series of monomers for providing performance characteristics to thousands of polymer formulations. They are flammable, reactive, volatile liquids based on an alpha-, beta- unsaturated carboxyl structure. Incorporation of varying percentages of acrylate monomers permits the production of thousands of formulations for latex and solution copolymers, copolymer plastics and cross-linkable polymer systems. Their performance characteristics—which impart varying degrees of tackiness, durability, hardness and glass transition temperatures—promote consumption in many end-use applications. Major markets for the esters include surface coatings, textiles, adhesives and plastics. Polyacrylic acid or copolymers find applications in superabsorbents, detergents, dispersants, flocculants and thickeners. Superabsorbent polymers are used primarily in disposable diapers.
The following pie charts show world consumption of crude acrylic acid and commodity acrylate esters.
World demand for crude acrylic acid is forecast to grow at 3.7% annually during 2006–2011, while demand for glacial acrylic acid is forecast to grow at about 4% annually during 2006–2011, primarily due to the growth of SAPs. Demand for commodity acrylates is forecast to grow at 3.7% annually during 2006–2011. With growing demand for acrylic acid derivatives, led by superabsorbent polymers, major producers have debottlenecked and expanded plants and built new facilities at key sites throughout the world.