Worldwide products

In 1989 the U.S. production of acryflc ester monomers was ca 450,000 t. This represents about 45% of the worldwide production Western Europe (ca 35%) and Japan (ca 15%) account for most of the remainder. Essentially all of this was converted to acryflc polymers and copolymers. The U.S. production is principally from four companies ... 

Adipic acid is a very large volume organic chemical. Worldwide production in 1986 reached 1.6 x 10 t (3.5 x 10 lb) (158) and in 1989 was estimated at more than 1.9 x 10 t (Table 7). It is one of the top fifty (159) chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume, with 1989 production estimated at 745,000 t (160). Growth rate in demand in the United States for the period 1988—1993 is estimated at 2.5% per year based on 1987—1989 (160). Table 7 provides individual capacities for U.S. manufacturers. Western European capacity is essentially equivalent to that in the United States at 800,000 t/yr. Demand is highly cycHc (161), reflecting the automotive and housing markets especially. Prices usually foUow the variabiUty in cmde oil prices. Adipic acid for nylon takes about 60% of U.S. cyclohexane production the remainder goes to caprolactam for nylon-6, export, and miscellaneous uses (162). In 1989 about 88% of U.S. adipic acid production was used in nylon-6,6 (77% fiber and 11% resin), 3% in polyurethanes, 2.5% in plasticizers, 2.7% miscellaneous, and 4.5% exported (160). 

Fluorine, which does not occur freely in nature except for trace amounts in radioactive materials, is widely found in combination with other elements, accounting for ca 0.065 wt % of the earth s cmst (4). The most important natural source of fluorine for industrial purposes is the mineral fluorspar [14542-23-5] CaF2, which contains about 49% fluorine. Detailed annual reports regarding the worldwide production and reserves of this mineral are available (5). A more complete discussion of the various sources of fluorine-containing minerals is given elsewhere (see Fluorine compounds, inorganic). 

The principal producers of aluminum trifluoride in North America are Alcan, Alcoa, and AUiedSignal. It is also produced in other countries, eg, France, Mexico, Norway, Italy, Tunisia, and Japan. Total worldwide production of aluminum trifluoride in 1990 was 400,000 metric tons and the price was 1100/t. In 1993, because of excess recovery of fluorine values, use of energy efficient smelters, and the worldwide economic climate, the price was down to 750/t. 

Economic Aspects. The estimated worldwide production of important industrial CFCs is shown in Table 5. Trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, and trichlorotrifluoroethane account for over 95% of the total production. Between 1986 and 1991 the production of CFCs has decreased dramatically due to global adherence to the provisions of the Montreal Protocol and eventually will be phased out entirely. Estimates of the distribution by use in 1986 and subsequent reductions in use are shown in Table 6. 

Worldwide production capacity in 1989 was estimated to be over 15.5 x 10 t as 37 wt % formaldehyde (98). The United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan account for nearly 70% of the total capacity (98). Worldwide demand for formaldehyde in 1989 was estimated to be about 85—90% of capacity (98). 

During the period from 1950 to 1992, the worldwide proven reserves of natural gas increased at an average annual rate of approximately 6.7% (3—5). In this same period, worldwide production iacreased at an average annual rate of approximately 5.7% (5) so that the annual worldwide consumption of natural gas as of 1992 was equivalent to approximately 1.7% of the proven reserves. This suggests that the proven reserves, assuming the reserves could be deUvered to the existing world markets, could satisfy the requirements of this market for more than 50 years. However, world population is expected to iacrease and the demand for natural gas is expected to expand both ia areas that are heavily iadustrialized and ia areas where iadustrialization activities are underway. 

Heat stabilizers protect polymers from the chemical degrading effects of heat or uv irradiation. These additives include a wide variety of chemical substances, ranging from purely organic chemicals to metallic soaps to complex organometaUic compounds. By far the most common polymer requiring the use of heat stabilizers is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). However, copolymers of PVC, chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC), poly(vinyhdene chloride) (PVDC), and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), also benefit from this technology. Without the use of heat stabilizers, PVC could not be the widely used polymer that it is, with worldwide production of nearly 16 million metric tons in 1991 alone (see Vinyl polymers). 

Economic Aspects. MaHc acid is manufactured in over 10 countries, with 1992 worldwide production estimated at approximately 33,000 t, distributed as follows 44.4%, North America 52.1%, Far East and 3.5%, Africa. 

Economic Aspects. Worldwide production is of the order of 110,000 t. The selling price ranges from U.S. 2.8-4.8/kg, depending on grade and end use. 

Other DR Processes. The other DR processes, eg, the CODIR, DRC, ACCAR, and Dav Steel processes, make up 4.4% of worldwide production and mosdy consist of coal-based, rotary-kiln processes. Ah of these are similar to the SL/RN process. In addition, one small coal-based, shaft-furnace plant based on the Kinglor-Metor process is operating. 

The total commercial lecithin potential if all vegetable oils were degummed worldwide would be 552,000 t (Table 7). Although soybean, sunflower, and rape lecithins are available in the market, the principal commercial interest is only in soybean lecithin. The aimual worldwide production is 130,000 t (Table 8). 

Worldwide production of lignite was over 1.13 x 10 tons in 1990 (U.S. production was 8 x 10 t). U.S. production has risen at ca 2% yr in the early 1990s. The world s proved lignite reserves can be recovered under local economic conditions with existing available technology, and were over 3.8 x 10 t in 1990, representing almost 300 years of production in 1990 terms (3,4). 

Poly(alI lene glycol)s. While these can be made from polymeri2ation of any alkylene oxide, they are usually prepared either from propylene oxide as the water-insoluble type, or as water-soluble copolymers of propylene oxide and up to 50% ethylene oxide (35,36) (see Polyethers, propylene OXIDE polymers). Current worldwide production is estimated to be about 45,000 t. 

Total yearly production of lubricants ia the United States has been faidy stable siace the 1960s. The production peak of 11.2 X 10 m (70.7 x 10 bbl)ia 1974 gradually dechned to 8.9 x 10 m (55.9 x 10 bbl) ia 1991, which is about 30% of worldwide production. Automotive lubricants make up about 56% of U.S. production, iadustrial lubricants 38%, and greases 2%. Future growth rate of the market is expected typically to be 1—3% per year. 

Table 21. Worldwide Production and United States Economic Data for Magnesium Oxide ...

The uniqueness of methyl methacrylate as a plastic component accounts for its industrial use in this capacity, and it far exceeds the combined volume of all of the other methacrylates. In addition to plastics, the various methacrylate polymers also find appHcation in sizable markets as diverse as lubricating oil additives, surface coatings (qv), impregnates, adhesives (qv), binders, sealers (see Sealants), and floor poHshes. It is impossible to segregate the total methacrylate polymer market because many of the polymers produced are copolymers with acrylates and other monomers. The total 1991 production capacity of methyl methacrylate in the United States was estimated at 585,000 t/yr. The worldwide production in 1991 was estimated at about 1,785,000 t/yr (3). 

Three bulk polymerization processes are commercially important for the production of methacrylate polymers batch cell casting, continuous casting, and continuous bulk polymerization. Approximately half the worldwide production of bulk polymerized methacrylates is in the form of molding and extmsion compounds, a quarter is in the form of cell cast sheets, and a quarter is in the form of continuous cast sheets. 

Uranium production in 1992 of 36,246 t U was only about 63% of world reactor requirements of 57,182 t U the remainder, 20,950 t U, was met from inventory drawdown. The worldwide production shortfall has developed since 1990 when production exceeded reactor requirements by about 1000 t U (27). 

Table 4. Worldwide Production of HDPE in 1994 by Country and Company...

Confirmation of the destmetion of ozone by chlorine and bromine from halofluorocarbons has led to international efforts to reduce emissions of ozone-destroying CPCs and Halons into the atmosphere. The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (150) (and its 1990 and 1992 revisions) calls for an end to the production of Halons in 1994 and CPCs, carbon tetrachloride, and methylchloroform byjanuary 1, 1996. In 1993, worldwide production of CPCs was reduced to 50% of 1986 levels of 1.13 x 10 and decreases in growth rates of CPC-11 and CPC-12 have been observed (151). 

Phthahc anhydride (1) is the commercial form of phthaUc acid (2). The worldwide production capacity for the anhydride was ca 3.5 x 10 metric tons ia 1993, and it was used ia the manufacture of plasticizers (qv), unsaturated polyesters, and alkyd resins (qv) (see Polyesters, unsaturated). Sales of terephthahc acid (3) and its dimethyl ester are by far the largest of any of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids 14.3 x 10 t were produced in 1993. This is 80% of the total toimage of ah. commercial forms of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids. Terephthahc acid is used almost exclusively for the manufacture of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which then is formed into textiles, films, containers, and molded articles. Isophthahc acid (4) and trimehitic anhydride (5) are commercial products, but their worldwide production capacities are an order of magnitude smaller than for terephthahc acid and its dimethyl ester. Isophthahc acid is used primarily in the production of unsaturated polyesters and as a comonomer in saturated polyesters. Trimehitic anhydride is used mainly to make esters for high performance poly(vinyl chloride) plasticizers. Trimesic acid (6), pyromehitic dianhydride (7), and hernimehitic acid (8) have specialized commercial apphcations. The rest of the benzenepolycarboxyhc acids are not available commercially. 

Purified terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate are used as raw materials for the production of saturated polyesters. During 1993, the combined worldwide production of purified terephthafic acid plus dimethyl terephthalate exceeded 14 x 10 t (42), which is 80% of the total benzenepolycarboxyfic acid production. Terephthafic acid is also produced ia technical or cmde grades which are not pure enough for manufacture of poly(ethylene terephthalate). In almost all cases, the technical-grade material is immediately converted to purified terephthafic acid or dimethyl terephthalate, which together are the articles of commerce. 

Titanium dioxide [13463-67-7] is by far the most often used inorganic pigment (14). In 1993 the estimated worldwide plant capacity was around 3.7 X 10 t. Plant utilization in that year was only about 78%, thus the world demand for Ti02 pigment in 1993 can be estimated to have been about 2.9 X 10 t. Growth in worldwide production of this pigment has been phenomenal since it was first produced in 1918. 

Lithopone [8006-32-4] an important white pigment, is produced mainly in the former Soviet Union, the C2ech RepubHc, and the People s RepubHc of China. In China, the nation s output for Hthopone peaked in 1990 at about 233,000 t. In 1992 it was only 168,000 t. About one-third of the Hthopone produced in China was exported. Annual worldwide production can be estimated to be under 250,000 t as of this writing (ca 1995) (18) (see Barium... 

Whereas the worldwide production of 2inc oxide [1314-13-2] is estimated to be around 500,000 t aimuaHy, only about 75,000—100,000 t are used for pigmentary appHcations by the paint industry. About 250,000 t are consumed by the mbber industry, and the rest is used in the production of plastics, paper, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, ceramics, and glass (see Zinc compounds). 

The aimual worldwide production of carbon blacks, which iaclude a large variety of carbonaceous products, was estimated to be around six million metric tons ia 1994. More than 90% of this pigment is consumed by the mbber iadustries, ia particular, by the tire iadustry as a reinforcing agent. The rest (- 500, 000 t) is used for coloring plastics, printing inks, and paints. Particle size of carbon blacks varies from 5 to 500 p.m and can be controlled by the process conditions and feedstock (see Carbon, carbon black). 

Worldwide production capacity of Hquid polysulfides is about 33,000 t with manufacturing sites in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Total consumption is about 28,600 t. Approximately 50% is for insulating glass sealants, 30% for constmction appHcations, and - 10% for aircraft sealants. In addition, - 909 t of the soHd polysulfide mbbers are sold each year. 

Aluminum sulfate has largely replaced alums for the major appHcations as a sizing agent in the paper industry and as a coagulant to clarify municipal and industrial water suppHes. In terms of worldwide production, it ranks third behind alumina and aluminum hydroxide, with markets in excess of 3 x 10 t/yr (19). 

There are six 1-propanol producers ia the world, ie, Hoechst Celanese, Texas Eastman, and Union Carbide ia the United States BASF AG and Hoechst AG ia Western Europe and Sasol ia South Africa. In 1993, worldwide production capacity for 1-propanol was ia excess of 180,000 t/yr actual production was approximately 110,000 t/yr (39). The December 1995 average deHvered price for 1-propanol ia the United States was 1144/1 (40). 

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