Epoxy resin production

Selling prices in the United States of various important epoxy resin products are Hsted in Table 10. As with other petrochemical-based products, prices of epoxies have risen rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s as oil prices have escalated. 

The terms epoxy resin (EP) and ethoxyline resin are used to describe polyphenol derivatives and other compounds which resinify by ring opening of oxirane rings. The polyphenols are typically diphenylolmethane or bis henol A [2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane] the latter diol is obtained by the condensation of phenol and acetone. Bisphenol A, is the most widely used phenol for epoxy resin production. 

The approximate epoxy resin production capacity as of 1993 was more than 800 million pounds per year. Major producers and approximate capacities are tabulated in Table 2. Ciba-Geigy, Dow, and Shell are the major producers. 

The epoxy resin production value in the United States, western Europe, and Asia is estimated to be over 2.5 billion. Almost 900,000 metric tons (t) of epoxy resins is consumed in these regions with around 35 percent of the consumption in Asia. The overall global consumption in 2002 was approximately 970,0001 (2.14 billion lb) with a 4 to 5 percent annual growth rate.3 The 7 to 10 percent growth rate in the 1970s has slowed except in Asia. Future consumption will average about 2 to 4 percent per year from 2004 to 2008 in the United States and western Europe.4 In North America the demand for epoxy resins is forecast at 690 million lb, valued at 1.4 billion, in 2004.5... 

FIGURE 1.2 Global liquid epoxy resin production.11 2002 Total Liquid Epoxy Resin Demand 2.14 billion pounds 970 thousand metric tons 2.0 billion AGR 4—5%. (Source DPNA International Inc.)... 

These resins are most often characterized by their epoxy equivalent weight (EEW), molecular weight (number of repeating units ri), and viscosity. Table 4.2 shows the relationship between EEW and viscosity. These DGEBA epoxy resins can be used alone or in blends with other DGEBA resins, other epoxy resins, or even other types of polymeric resins. Very often commercial epoxy resin products are actually blends of resins having a broad molecular weight distribution. 

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions Group I Polymers and Resins National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Epoxy Resins Production and Non-Nylon Polyamides Production National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Secondary Lead Smelting National Emission Standards for Marine Tank Vessel Tank Loading Operations National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing... 

Pollutants for Epoxy Resins Production and Non-Nylon Polyamides Production... 

A large fraction of the phenol product, currently ranked 34th in American volume of production, is directed toward the production of several types of phenol-formaldehyde resins of utility as plywood adhesives and as components of laminates (e.g., Arborite). Some is routed to the preparation of bis-phenol A enroute to epoxy resin production. 

A multistep reaction, polyaddition, is a polyreaction of at least two bifunctional or higher functional compounds. Polyaddition can result in either linear polymers (thermoplastics) or cross-linked plastics (duroplastics), depending on the specific functionality. Cross-linked products are obtained by means of a reaction of a bifunctional reactant with a trifunctional one. The more polyfunctional the reactant, the more closely meshed the cross-linking will be. That is why the polyols in polyurethane or epoxy resin production are frequently replaced by polyesters and polyethers containing large numbers of OH groups. Polyaddition, like polycondensation, is a multistep reaction. Fig. 4. Important polyadducts include linear and cross-linked polyurethanes as well as epoxy resins (see [2]). 

Polymers Resins II Epoxy Resins Production, Non-Nylon Polyamides Production 03/03/98... 

Over 65% of the global production of BPA is used to make PC and another 30% for epoxy resin production (Plastics Europe, 2010). Based on the 2010 data, however, only 7% of the PC was used in packaging and medical device applications. Most are instead used in construction as glazing or in media (CD and DVD applications) and in electrical/electronic applications. These non-packaging uses pose a lower risk. About a third of this global production is used in the United States. BPA is perhaps the most controversial of plastic-related EDCs present in the environment and is attributed to at least the following sources (Geens et al., 2011). 

Data from U.S. International Trade Commission, Synthetic Organic Chemicals. Data include modified and unmodified epoxy resins. Modified epoxy resins include solid epoxy resin (SER), vinyl ester resins, epoxy acrylates, etc. There appear to be some discrepancies in epoxy resin production and market data as reported by different publications and organizations (7). This is primarily due to the fact that some epoxy resins such as liquid DGEBA resins and epoxy novolacs are used as raw materials to produce modified or advanced epoxy resins, which may be further converted to end-use products. Some pubhcations report only unmodified epoxies. 

Estimated average prices for epoxy resin products in North America are given in Table 3. As with other petrochemical-based products, they depend on crude-oil prices. Prices of multifunctional resins are typically higher. They are based on more expensive raw materials than DGEBA resins and involve more complex manufacturing procedures. A listing of some major epoxy resin producers and the trade names of their products is shown in Table 4. 

Global epoxy resins production volume in 2005 approximately 1,6 million tons ... 

Tai YY, Hsu SH, Chen RS, Su WF, Chen MH (2014) Liquid crystalline epoxy nanocomposite material for dental application. J Formos Med Assoc 114 46-51 Tanaka S, Takezawa Y, Takahashi H (2007) Epoxy compound and cured epoxy resin product. U.S. Patent 7,279,574... 

Nan Ya Plastics of Taiwan has finished construction of its second epoxy resin production plant in Taipei brining capacity to 48,000 tonnes of bisphenol A type. 2000 tonnes of Novalec type and 3000 tonnes of brominated type A new naptha cracker production unit is expected to be completed in 1996. 

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