Agricultural current production capacity

Australia currently produces approximately 200 000 tonnes of nitric acid (100% basis) per year (Ref. MD5). It is a cyclical market that responds directly to the performance of the agricultural and mining sectors. This occurs because Australian nitric acid is used almost exclusively for the production of ammonium nitrate (a nitrogen-based fertilizer and a mining explosive). The nitric acid industry has grown from a production capacity of 32 000 tonnes in 1967 (Ref. MD1 ). During the last decade, large deviations in production levels have occurred (Refe. MD3, MD4, and MD5). The overall trend has been for a 3% increase each year. 

NR is one of the most important agricultural products in Thailand which is currently the world largest NR producer, with the production capacity of 1.8 million tons per year (Rubber Research Institute, 1999) (Figures 16.1-16.3). 

Traditional plastics can be made from agricultural products, including PET, PBT, nylon 6, nylon 10, and acrylics. The largest interest has occurred with the biobased PET botde. Currently, Coca-Cola introduced a biobased PET bottle, for example. Plant Bottle, with 30% biobased and 70% petroleum based (After Dasani Test 2009). PET botdes are made typically from 30% mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) and 70% terephthalic acid. The MEG can be made with biobased sources and the terephthalic acid is made from petroleum sources. The production capacity of the 30% bio-PET bottle is 452,000 tons. Coca-Cola plans to launch a 100% PET bottle in the future (Race to 100% bio-PET). 

Currently, 93% of crude petroleum is used for energy generation, while only 7% is used for chemistry. Similarly, 95% of agricultural products are used for food and feed, with only 5% being used for the chemical industry (Figure 1.4). 45 Mio mto of annual worldwide biodiesel capacity (forecast for 2010 based on published projects a more conservative forecast envisages 32 Mio mto by 2012 ) would already represent 25% of total renewable fats and oils production and would reduce the share of food and feed from 86% to 65% and the... 

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