171531908 ceh-acetic-acid

December 1988- Acetic Acid
602.5020 A
CEH Marketing Research Report
ACETIC ACID
By
Kevin Wheeler
CEH Marketing Research Reports are comprehensive
studies prepared from information in the CEH Data
Center and from extensive personal interviews with
sources in the chemical industry . A distinctive feature of
these reports is the analysis of future supply/demand
relationships .
O 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International .
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/hhj82e00/pdf

r
December 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetit c Acid
602.5020 B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary................................................... .... .................... ..................................... ............... ................ .. 602.5020 C
Manufacturing Processes .................. ...................................................... ............................... 602.5020 D
S ynthetic..................................... ............................ ......................................... ..... ............. 602.5020 D
Methanol Carbonylation. ................ .... ................ ......... ............................... .................. 602.5020 E
Oxidation of n-Butane or Naphtha ..... .................... .................................... .................. 602.5020 F
Oxidation of Acetaldehyde 602.5020 G
Terephthalic Acid Coproduct ........................ ............. .... ........................... .................. 602.5020 G
By-Product Acetic Acid .... ....................................................................................... ......... 602.5020 G
Natura1.................. ...................... .................... ................................................................... 602.5020 H
Production Costs................................................................................... ........................ .... 602.5020 H
Supply and Demand by Region........... ........................ ......... ................. .............. .................. 602.50201
United States 602.50201
Producing Companies............................ .... ................................................ .................. 602.50201
Production..... ....................................... ....................................... ............................ ..... 602.5020 R
Consumption....................... ............. .................................................... ..... ................... 602.5020 T
Vinyl Acetate Monomer ....... ..................... ... ......................................................... . 602.5020 U
Acetic Anhydride....... ..................... ................ .................. ........ ........................ ...... 602.5020 U
Cellulose acetate............... ............................ .......................... ..... .... ................... 602.5020 V
Acetic anhydride (derivatives other than cellulose acetate) ....... ..... ............ ....... 602.5020 V
Esters of Acetic Acid................... ...................................... .... ........................... ..... .. 602.5020 W
Butyl acetates.......... ..................... ... .................................. ............................... .. 602.5020 W
Propyl acetates.......... ... . ......... ................ .......................... ............................ ..... .. 602.5020 X
Ethyl acetate............. ......... ............ ............. ... ............. ......... ..... ......... ................ 602.5020 X
Glycol monoether acetates .............. ............................. ...................... ................ 602.5020 X
Amyl acetates............. .... ............ ............ .... ..... .............................. ..................... 602.5020 Y
Other acetic acid esters............. .......................................................................... 602.5020 Y
Terephthalic Acid/Dimethyl Terephthalate (TPA/DMT).................. ................... ... 602.5020 Y
Monochloroacetic Acid ................................................... .... .................................... 602.5020 Z
Textiles........... .......................... ............. ... .......... ................ ..................................... 602.5020 Z
Other . ................ ... ......... .... ..... .... .............................................................. 602.5021 A
Price... .............. .............. ................................ ........................................................ ...... 602.5021 A
Trade............. ................................... ............. ............................................................... 602.5021 C
Canada and Mexico ........................... .... ......... ............................ .... ..... ......... .................... 602.5021 E
Producing Companies.............. . ........ ......... ..................................... ............................. 602.5021 E
Salient Statistics........... ... ..... ........ ...................................... .... ......... ........................... .. 602.5021 E
Consumption..... ...................... ............. ............. ................ ............. ............................ .. 602.5021 F
Trade.. ....................... ......... .... .............................. 602 5021 F... .
Western Europe.... .......................... ............. ... ..................................... ............ ............
...
. ..
.
602.5021 F
Producing Companies.. ............................ .................. ......................... ......................... 602.5021 F
Salient Statistics ....... ............. ... ............. ............. ................................................. ....... 602.5021 H
Consumption... .... ........... ... ..................... ......... .... ......... ............................. ............... ... 602.50211
Price...................... .............. .... ........ . ... ......................... . 602.50211
Japan............ ........... ... ......... . ........ .... ......... ................ ... .................. .... .............. .................. 602.5021 J
Producing Companies............ ................ ............. ......... .......................... ............. ......... 602.5021 J
Production ..... .......... ...:. .... ........................................................... ................................. 602.5021 J
Consumption..... ..... ............. ............. ............. .... .......................... ........................... ...... 602.5021 K
Price. ..................................... .... ..... ....... ......... ................................. . ........ .... . .... ........... 602.5021 L
Trade........... ............... ........ ..... ................................... .................... ............................ .. 602.5021 L
~
B ibliography........... ..... ......................... ......... ......... ............ .................. 602 5021 M...................... ......... .. . rsc
~
© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International
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t
December 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 C
SUMMARY
Acetic acid is synthetically produced by several processes and feedstocks . It is also recovered as a by -
product of many reactions. As shown below, the majority of virgin acetic acid is produced by methanol
carbonylation. The approximate world capacity for acetic acid by process/feedstock in 1987 was as
follows:
Methanol Carbonylation 47%
Acetaldehyde Oxidation 27%
Ethyl Alcohol 5.5%
Butane/Naphtha Oxidation 6.5%
Coal-Based Synthesis Gas 3%
Process/Feedstock Not Identified 11%
The following table shows world supply and demand for acetic acid in 1987, with forecasts for 1992 :
World Supply/Demand for Acetic Acid
(millions of pounds)
United
States
Western
I3urope Japan Other$ Total
Capacity
Production
Imports
Exports
Consumption
1987
3,391
3,228
35
102
3,266
1992
3,616
3,582
20
100,
3,610
1987
2,584
2,410
net 70
2,354
1992 1987
3,183 1,219
2,590 809
110
net 154 86
2,560 831
1992
1,296
783
110
44
851
1987
3,097
2,873
net 82
2,939
1992
3,913
3,419
net 165
3,461
1987 1992
10,291 12,008
9,319 10,375
974 1,093
999 1,168
9,390 10,482
(thousands of metric tons)
United
States
Western
Europe Japan Other' Total
1987 1992 1987 1992 1987 1992 1987 1992 1987 19,92
Capacity 1,538 1,640 1,172 1,444 553 588 1,405 1,775 4,668 5,447
Production 1,464 1,625 1,093 1,175 367 355 1,303 1,551 4,227 4,706
Imports 16 9 50 50 net 37 net 75 442 496
Exports 146 45 net 32 net 70 39 20 453 530
Consumption 1,481 1,637 1,068 1,161 377 386 1,333 1,571 4,259 4,755
a. Other includes Andean countries, Argentina, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, People's Republic : of
China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New
Zealand, Poland, Rumania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, USSR, and Yugoslavia .
SOURCE: CEH estimates in conjunction with World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International .
In 1987, North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico), Western Europe, and Japan accounted i :or
more than 70% of the total world capacity for acetic acid . With few exceptions, new facilities will be
based on methanol carbonylation technology . Facilities based on this process will be built in India, the
USSR, Bulgaria, and the People's Republic of China by 1992 . No new facilities are planned elsewhere in
the world over the next five years . Growing demand in developing countries, other than Eastern Europe,
will be met primarily by exports from the United States and Western Europe .

Deeember 19&& ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 D
World production and consumption of acetic acid will increase at an average annual rate of 2.2% per year
between 1987 and 1992 . The strongest demand growth for acetic acid will occur in the developing
regions of the Far East, Eastern Europe and South America, where consumption is projected to grow at
3.0-3.5%. The fastest growing end uses will be in vinyl acetate monomer and as a solvent in the
production of TPA/DMT.
U.S. acetic acid production and consumption will increase at a rate slightly greater than 2% per year
between 1987 and 1992 . Imports, whichh were up in 1988, will decrease to 1987 levels by 1989 as
Hoechst Celanese restarts its Pampa, Texas facility in December 1988 . Imports are expected to decline
somewhat through 1992. Exports will remain level over the next five years as new capacity comes on
stream in Western Europe and the Far East . Vinyl acetate monomer, the largest end use for acetic acid,
will grow slightly faster than GNP and exports will continue to account for about 30% of vinyl acetate
monomer production. Strong demand for TPA, used in polyester terephthalic acid resins, will increase the
consumption of acetic acid used as a process solvent. Other major markets for acetic acid, such as acetic
anhydride and esters, are mature with little growth expected, while some newer, smaller markets (e .g.,
road maintenance and medical) have good growth potentials .
Acetic acid production will increase in Western Europe as BP International brings new capacity on stream
in the United Kingdom and Industrias Quimicas Asociadas restarts its plant in Spain. Consumption in
Western Europe is expected to grow at about 1 .4-1 .9% annually, slightly less than in the United States .
Net exports are expected to double by 1992 . Use in vinyl acetate monomer and solvent application in
TPA production will grow most strongly .
In Japan, production of acetic acid is projected to decline by 0 .5% per year between 1987 and 1992 .
During the same period, consumption is expected to increase 0 .5% per year with demand met by recycled
acetic acid from imported vinyl acetate monomer used to produce polyvinyl alcohol .
Acetic acid consumption in the rest of the world is forecast to increase more rapidly-about 3.3%
annually-during this period. As with the United States and Western Europe, acetic acid used to produce
vinyl acetate monomer and acetic acid used as a solvent in new TPA facilities will have good growth
prospects.
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
SYNTHETIC
Acetic acid can be produced synthetically or from natural sources. Synthetic production includes
methanol carbonylation, acetaldehyde oxidation, butane/naphtha oxidation, and coal-based synthesis gas .
It is also produced as a by-product of many reactions from which it is then recovered and recycled .
The most dramatic change in acetic acid production technology has been the advent and growth in
popularity of methanol carbonylation. For illustration, in the United States, capacity based on methanol
carbonylation grew from only 4% of total capacity in 1970 to 81% of total operational capacity in 1988 .
In comparison, acetic acid from acetaldehyde has steadily declined from 41% in 1978 to only 12% in
1988 . Acetic acid production from n-butane was temporarily suspended following Hoechst Celanese's
Pampa facility explosion in November 1987 . However, this facility is scheduled for start-up in December
1988 and will regain about 15% of domestic capacity . The following table illustrates the trend toward
methanol-based acetic acid over other processes during the 1978-1988 period :
O 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International .

` December 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 E
U.S. Capacity for Acetic Acid by Major Process
Methanol
Carbonylation Acetaldehyde'
n-Butane Liquid-
Phase Oxidation Othert' Total
Millions
of
Pounds Percent
Millions
of
Pounds Percent
Millions
of
Pounds Percent
Million
of
Pound
s
s Percent
Million
of
Pound
s
s Percentc
1978 515 17 1,210 41 1,150 39 80 3 2,955 100
1980 1,700 42 1,125 28 1,150 28 80 2 4,055 100
1982 1,800 44 925 23 1,250 31 60 2 4,035 100
1985 1,890 59 550 17 550 17 195 6 3,185 100
1988 2,390 81 350 12 0d 0 200 7 2,940 100
a. Acetic acid derived from TPA production prior to 1988 is included under the acetaldehyde process . In 1988, no acetic acid
was derived from TPA production.
b. Coproduct acetic acid from coal gas acetic anhydride operations is included under OTHER beginning in 1985 . Also
included in this category is production from peracetic acid manufacture.
c. May not equal 100% because of rounding .
d. Hoechst Celanese's 550 million pounds of acetic acid from n-butane liquid-phase oxidation will resume production in
January 1989.
SOURCE: CEH estimates .
Methanol Carbonylation
In 1988, nearly 50% of the total world capacity for acetic acid is based on methanol carbonylation . This
route has lower overall production costs than other synthetic routes when compared on a newly
constructed plant basis. Two technologies for methanol carbonylation are available . Acetic acid can be
synthesized from carbon monoxide and methanol, using high pressure and a cobalt catalyst in the presence
of iodine (BASF) or low pressure and a rhodium-halide catalyst (Monsanto). Yields range from 90% for
high-pressure carbonylation to 99 .5% for low-pressure carbonylation, based on methanol . The high-
pressure process is more costly than the low-pressure process and is used only in isolated cases . BP
Chemicals International has purchased the rights to the low-pressure process (Monsanto) and is the onl ;y
licensor. Using M to symbolize either rhodium or cobalt, the reaction steps involved are as follows :

602.502() F
(1) CH 0H + HI - 0CH 1 + H3, 23~
"'3
(2) CH31 + [M complex] -1• M comple
II
x
(3) CH3
M complex
I
+ CO --p-
~3
C-O
M complexI
i
I
(4) CH3
!
C-0
i
M complex
I
I
+ H20 ---opCH3COOH + HI + [M complex]
Most new plants will utilize the low-pressure methanol carbonylation technology . Licenses have been
issued recently in India and the People's Republic of China.
Oxidation of n-Butane or Naphtha
The process involves a large number of reactions whereby hydroperoxide radicals are formed, followed
by reaction of the radicals to form a variety of oxygenated products . The overall reaction consists of the
following steps :
Initiation: Radical source -#o R-
Propagation: R' + 02 -r ROO•
ROO- + RH -----1• ROOH + R•
Termination: 2R --1• stable products
R• + RQO -10 stable products
2R00 ~ stable products
The oxidation is carried out at 160-180°C and 50-57 kilograms per square centimeter (700-800 psig),
usually in the presence of cobalt or manganese. The principal products are acetic acid and methyl ethyl ~
ketone; however, products such as ethanol, formic acid, methanol, and other organics are also produced . ~
The product ratio can be varied to obtain more of a desired product . Naphtha feedstock can be oxidized in CSt
a similar process to yield acetic acid . Naphtha oxidation is used exclusively by BP Chemicals CJ3
International, Ltd, in the United Kingdom and butane oxidation is used exclusively by Hoechst Celanese "~
~
© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International ~ .1.
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~

so2.5o20 <s
in the United States . These oxidation processes are not cost competitive with methanol technology if only
acetic acid product is considered ; however, by-product credits at current market prices allow existing
plants to compete effectively. (For more information, see the CEH marketing research report on Butanes )
Oxidation of Acetaldehyde
By January 1, 1989 only 10% of U.S. acetic acid capacity will be based on Wacker-acetaldehyde
oxidation. Hoechst Celanese discontinued operation of its acetaldehyde-based unit in 1982 . Eastman
operated only enough acetaldehyde oxidation capacity to make up the amount of acetic acid required over
and above its other routes of acetic acid production ; however, an explosion at the Hoechst Celanese
butane-based plant (Pampa, Texas) in late 1987 made it desirable for Eastman to utilize all its
acetaldehyde unit in 1987. Concurrently, Eastman was in the process of decoupling TPA/DMT and acetic
acid production, and in 1988 acetaldehyde oxidation capacity was increased further . Much of Europe's
acetic acid capacity is still based on acetaldehyde . This method consists of the direct oxidation of
ethylene to acetaldehyde via the Wacker process, followed by the oxidation of acetaldehyde in the
presence of manganese acetate, forming acetic acid .
(1) 2C2H4 + 02 PdC12, CuCl2, H20 110 2CH3CHO
ethylene acetaldehyde
mol wt: 28.05 44.05
(2) 2CH3CHO + 02 -10 2CH3COOH
acetic acid
moi wt: 60.05
At the current market price of 35-40 cents per pound for acetaldehyde, a producer requires a captive
source of acetaldehyde. The process yield on acetaldehyde is typically 95% . (See the CEH marketing
research report on Ethylene and the CEH product review on Acetaldehyde for more information .)
Terephthalic Acid Coproduct
Until the fourth quarter of 1987, Eastman used a TPA/DMT process at Kingsport, Tennessee that
coproduced acetic acid. The quantity of acid produced by the oxidation of the acetaldehyde reactant
varied depending on TPA/DMT production . Eastman has now decoupled acetic acid production from
TPA production. Their process no longer requires acetaldehyde as a coreactant and now uses a halogen
promoter, also, the TPA process uses no acetic acid as solvent, unlike the Amoco process .
BY-PRODUCT ACETIC ACID
Acetic acid is produced as a by-product of many reactions . It is often recovered and recycled in some
fashion, usually as an ester or salt, or used in applications where a dilute acid is acceptable . Some may be
reconcentrated to glacial acetic acid and reused .
Acetic anhydride reactions are nearly always accompanied by the production of a mole equivalent of
acetic acid. The largest use for acetic anhydride is in production of cellulose acetate . Since the acid
produced in this reaction is recovered and recycled to produce more cellulose acetate, the acid generated
©1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International

602.5020 H
in this reaction has historically not been treated as a by-product . This area is discussed more fully in the
CONSUMPITON sections of this report .
Polyvinyl acetate is converted to polyvinyl alcohol by steaming or ester interchange with methanol or
ethanol. The by-products of these reactions are acetic acid, methyl acetate, or ethyl acetate.
Acetic acid is a by-product of the allyl alcohol-peracetic acid route to glycerin (which, until 1983, was
used by FMC) and is also the major by-product in the liquid-phase oxidation of acetaldehyde to peracetic
acid employed by Union Carbide . Rhone-Poulenc recovers small volumes of acetic acid from various
acetylations, including coumarin manufacture, and Dow and Monsanto recover some acetic acid from
aspirin production.
NATURAL
Historically, small amounts of acetic acid were produced as a result of destructive distillation (or
carbonization) of hardwoods . When wood is subjected to temperatures above 100°C, thermal
decomposition occurs . Industrial carbonization employs temperatures up to 500°C . As a result of thermal
decomposition, the large complex polymeric molecules of the wood tissue are broken down to carbon and
a wide variety of simple molecules . These products separate naturally into four groups: charcoal,
pyroligneous acid liquor, tar, and noncondensable gases. The pyroligneous acid liquor is then refined and
fractionated into water, tar, wood oils, and pure chemicals .
Dilute acetic acid (5-18%) is produced by fermentation for pickling or condiment use.
PRODUCTION COSTS
The following table summarizes the major production cost components for acetic acid by two of the three
major synthetic processes . Major cost components are based on new construction and may not be
representative of actual costs and values of existing operations . For example, raw material costs will vary,
with lower production costs favoring producers with captive raw material supplies .
Major Cost Components of Synthetic Acetic Acid Manufacture-1987'
Acetaldehyde by Oxidation
with Air
Low-Pressure Carbonylation
of Methanol
Cents per
Pound
Cents per
Kilogram
Cents per
Pound
Cents per
Kilogram
Net Variable Costsb 30.6 67.5 6.5 14.4
Raw Materials 28.9 63.7 5.2 11.5
Utilities 2.6 5.7 1.3 2.9
By-Product Credits/Debits -0.9 -- -- --
Labor 03 0.7 0.4 0.9
Other Production Costs 4.3 9.4 3.6 8.0
Total Production Costs 35.2 77.5 10.6 23.3
( ,.
a- Costs are for a 600 million pound-per-year acetic acid plant, U .S. Gulf Coast, ovenught construction, ~
mid-1987, operating at full capacity, and attaining full value for by-products . ~
b. May not equal the sums of the components because of rounding. ~
Ff~
SOURCE: 1987 PEP Yearbook, Process Economics Program,,SRI International.
co

602.5020 1
Comparable data are not available for the n-butane oxidation process . Although production costs are high
in this process, coproduct credits allow existing facilities to be competitive.*
SUPPLY AND DEMAND BY REGION
UNITED STATES
PRODUCING COMPANIES
Acetic acid produced from raw materials, such as methanol or acetaldehdye, is identified as virgin acetic
acid, while acid obtained as a reaction by-product or regenerated from spent solvents is identified as
recovered acetic acid. For example, the acid used to make polyvinyl acetate is recovered when the
polyvinyl acetate is converted to polyvinyl alcohol . The distinction is made to prevent the double-
counting of acetic acid production . Capacity data for recovered as well as virgin acetic acid are presented
in the next series of tables. The first two tabulations are for virgin acid . They are followed by a tabulation
of recovered acid capacities. The first table of this series lists U .S. producers and capacities for virgin
acetic acid in 1988 .
U.S. Producers of Virgin Acetic Acid
Company and
Plant Location
Annual Capacity
as of
January 1, 1988
(millions of
pounds) Process
Borden Inc.
Borden Chemical Division
Geismar, LAa 40 Methanol carbonylation
(high pressure)
Eastman Kodak Company
Eastman Chemical Division
Tennessee Eastman Company
Kingsport, TN 160 Coal gas coproduct
350 Acetaldehyde oxidation
Hoechst Celanese Corp .
Hoechst Celanese Chemical
Group, Inc.
Clear Lake, TXb
Pampa, TXc
*
Quantum Chemical Corp.
Chemicals Division
USI Chemicals Company,
division
Deer Park, TXd
1,040
(550)
Methanol carbonylation
(low pressure)
n-Butane LPO
820 Methanol carbonylation
(low pressure)
For additional information on the process economics for acetic acid manufacture, see Acetic Acid and Acetic
Anhydride, Report No. 37A, March 1973, and Acetic Acid by Low Pressure Carbonylation of Methanol, Review
78-3-4, January 1980, Process Economics Program, SRI International .

602.5020 J
U.S. Producers of Virgin Acetic Acid (continued)
ompany and
Plant Location
Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
Texas City, TX°
Annual Capacity
as of
January 1, 1988
(millions of
pounds)
490
rocess
(low pressure)
Union Carbide Corporation
Chemicals and Plastics Business
Group
Solvents and Coatings
Materials Division
Brownsville, TXf 700) -Butane LPO
Taft, LA 40 Peracetic acid coproduct
Total 2,940
a. Borden restarted its plant at Geismar, Louisiana in January 1988 to supplement the U .S. supply of acetic
acid, and is expected to shut down in April 1989. An estimated 35-40 million pounds of capacity is in
operation.
b. Plant debottlenecked to 1,100 million pounds per year in the second quarter of 1988.
c. In November 1987 this plant experienced an explosion, but will be back on stream by January 1989.
d. The USI plant came on stream in the first quarter of 1980.
e. Sterling will expand to 600 million pounds per year in January 1989 .
f. Union Carbide expanded acetic acid capacity by 100 million pounds at Brownsville, Texas during the
second half of 1981 . The plant was shut down in Apri11983 .
A history of capacity changes for producers of virgin acetic acid from 1979 to 1988 is shown in the
following table:
U.S. Capacity for Virgin Acetic Acid
Company and
t L tiPl
Annual Capacity as of January 1
ocaan on Process
Borden
Geismar, LA 1979 100 1986 -- Methanol/CO
1980 100 1987 -
1981 ].00 1988 40'
1982 -- 1~0
1983 --
1984 - Ire
1985 - . ~
~
~
~
O 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International

Decernber 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
1 602.5020 K
U.S. Capacity for Virgin Acetic Acid (continued)
Company and
Plant Location Process
Eastman
Kingsport, TN 1979 -- 1986 160 Coal-based
1980 -- 1987 160 synthesis gas
1981 -- 1988 160
1982 --
1983 --
1984 --
1985 150
1979 450 1986 250 Acetaldehyde
1980 450 1987 250 oxidation
1981 400 1988 350
1982 400
1983 400
1984 400
1985 250
1979 -- 1986 300 TPA/coproduct
1980 - 1987 300
1981 -- 1988 -
1982 -
1983 300
1984 300
1985 300
FMC
Bayport, TX 1979 40 1986 -- Glycerin
1980 40 1987 -- coproduct
1981 40 1988 --
1982 20
1983 --
1984 --
1985
Hoechst Celanese
Bay City, TX 1979 175 1986 -- Acetaldehyde
1980 175 1987 -- oxidation
1981 175 1988 --
1982 --
1983 --
1984 -
1985 --
Clear Lake, TX 1979 500 1986 -- Acetaldehyde
1980 500 1987 - oxidation
1981
1982
500 -
-- -
1988
1983 --
1984 --
1985 --

602.5020 L
Company and
Hoechst Celanese
(continued) 1979 600 1986 800 Methanol/CO
1980 600 1987 800
1981 600 1988 1,040
1982 800
1983 800
1984 800
1985 800
Pampa, TX 1979 550 1986 550 n-Butane LPO
1980 550 1987 550
1981 550 1988 - b
1982 550
1983 550
1984 550
1985 550
Monsanto
Texas City, TX 1979 400 1986 490 Methanol/CO
1980 400 1987 -
1981 400 1988 -
1982 400
1983 400
1984 490
1985 490
Sterling
Texas City, TX 1979 -- 1986 - Methanol/CO
1980 -- 1987 490
1981 -- 1988 490
1982 --
1983 --
1984 --
1985 --
Union Carbide
Brownsville, TX 1979 600 1986 -- n-Butane LPO
1980 600 1987 --
1981 600 1988 -
1982 700
1983 --
1984 --
1985 --
Taft, LA 1979 40 1986 40 Peracetic acid
1980 40 1987 40
1981 40 1988 40
1982 40
1983 40 ~
1984 40 ~
1985 40 ~
~
~
©1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International w~
~
~~

602.5020 M
Company and
USI
Deer Park, TX 1979 300 1986 600 MethanoI/CO
1980 600 1987 800
1981 600 _ 1988 820
1982 600
1983 600
1984 600
1985 600
Total 1979 3,755 1986 3,190
1980 4,055 1987 3,390
1981 4,205 1988 2,940
1982 3,810
1983 3,090
1984 3,180
1985 3,080
a. Shut down in 1982 . About 40 million pounds of capacity were brought back on stream in 1988 to
supplement U.S. supplies . Plant is expected to shut down in April 1989 following Hoechst Celanese s
Pampa, Texas facility restart .
b. Plant explosion in November 1987.
As shown in the previous table, capacity reached a peak in 1981, at a time of worldwide economic
recession, resulting in operating rates of about 65% . Rationalization in 1982 and 1983 brought capacity
utilization to better than 90% in 1983. The operating rate slumped again in 1984 as a result of weak
demand, but increased to about 94% in 1985 as the economy rebounded. Plant problems and scheduled
turnarounds limited effective capacity in 1986. In 1987, due primarily to increased demand for vinyl
acetate monomer, plants were running at around 95% of capacity . In 1988, with the temporary loss of
capacity at Hoechst Celanese's facility at Pampa, Texas, plants ran at near 100% of capacity. The Hoechst
Celanese facility represents approximately 15% of U .S. capacity and 5% of total world capacity . In 1988,
Hoechst Celanese increased acetic acid capacity by 60 million pounds at Clear Lake, Texas, and USI
Chemicals increased capacity by 20 million pounds at Deer Park, Texas . In 1989, Sterling Chemical will
increase capacity at Texas City, Texas by 110 million pounds . These capacity increases and the restart of
the Hoechst Celanese Pampa facility will bring U.S. capacity back in line with demand in 1989, and the
United States will not require additional capacity through 1992.
The next table provides historical capacity for recovered acetic acid from 1979 to 1988 . Not included in
the table is acetic acid recovered from the acetylation of cellulose acetate, which is usually recycled within
the plant to produce more acetic anhydride .

! Devembet 2988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 N
U.S. Capacity for Recovered Acetic Acida
Company and
t L tiPl
ocaan on Source
Air Products
Calvert City, KY 1979 50 1986 125 Polyvinyl alcohol
1980 68 1987 125 production
1981 68 1988 125
1982 75
1983 75
1984 75
1985 125
Dow Chemical
Midland, MI 1979 na 1986 4-6 Aspirin production
1980 na 1987 4-6
1981 na 1988 4-6
1982 na
1983 na
1984 na
1985 na
Du Pont
La Porte, TX 1979 154 1986 154 Polyvinyl alcohol
1980 154 1987 154 production
1981 154 1988 154
1982 154
1983 154
1984 154
1985 154
Monsanto
St. Louis, MO 1979 6 1986 6 Aspirin production
1980 6 1987 6
1981 6 1988 6
1982 6
1983 6
1984 6
1985 6
Springfield, MAb 1979
1980
56
56
1986
1987
2-4
2-4
PolYv~ 1 butyralmY
production
1981 56 1988 2-4
1982 56
1983 56
1984 56
1985 56
Rhone-Poulenc
New Brunswick, NJ 1979 na 1986 < 1 Acetylation
1980 na 1987 < 1
1981 na 1988 < 1
1982 na
1983 na
1984 na
1985 na
0 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International

December 1988 ACETIC ACID
U.S. Capacity for Recovered Acetic Acid°t (continued)
Acetic Acid
602.50200
Company and
Plant Location Source
Sterling Drug
Trenton, NJ 1979 na 1986 1 Aspirin production
1980 na 1987 1
1981 na 1988 1
1982 na
1983 na
1984 na
1985 na
Union Carbide
Taft, LA 1979 na 1986 na Peracetic acid
1980 na 1987 na epoxidation
1981 na 1988 na
1982 na
1983 na
1984 na
1985 na
Total 1979 >266 1986 >293-297
1980 >284 1987 >293-297
1981 >284 1988 >293-297
1982 >291
1983 >291
1984 >291
1985 >341
a. Does not include by-product acetic acid from the production of cellulose acetate, as this product is
usually recycled. Hoechst Celanese and Eastman are the only producers of cellulose acetate.
b. Prior to 1986, Monsanto produced. polyvinyl aicohol.
SOURCE: CEH estimates.
The following table shows the net supply balance for U.S. acetic acid producers and major consumers :
~
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© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International ~
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Net Supply Balance for U.S. Acetic Acid Producers and Major Consumers-September 1,1988' ~
Acetic Acid Requirements for Chemical Derivatives
(based on 100% of derivative nameplate capacity)
~
~
Name. Acetic Anhydride Solvent Mono- Total Apparent o
30plate Vinyl for TPA/ chloro- Acetic Net Supply 0
Acetic Acid
Producers
Acetic
Acid
Acetate
Monomerb
Cellulose
Acetatec Otherd Esters
DMT Pro-
duction
Acetic
Acid Textile Other
Acid
Required Surplus Deficit
4 Borden 40 0 40
~
~
Eastman 510 273 100 70 443 67
0000 Hoechst Celanese 1,100 785 312 50 51 1,198 98
~
~ Quantum 820 438 438 382
EIr Sterling 490 na na 490
~
n Union Carbide 40 402 73 475 435
~~
B
Total 3 000 1 625 585 150 194 0 0 0 0 2 554 441bw~
, , ,
M ~
0 Acetic Acid n
~0 Consumers ~
B ~.
~
y Air Products 125 0 125 ~-1~
Amoco 185 185 185 A
..7
~
Aqualon
(Hercules/Henkel) 16 16 16
d
ARCO 10 10 10
~ BASF 13 13 13
~ Cape Industries 90 90 90
~~
Chevron 30 30 30
~
E. I. du Pont
de Nemours 154 365 140 505 351
~.
Dow 6 19 19 13
~
~. Monsanto 10 35 35 25
Total 295 365 0 0 23 415 35 0 65 903
Total 3,295 1,990 585 150 217 415 35 0 65 3,457 162
`'GA:

b
h
a. Note the difference in the effective date of this table in comparison to the previous virgin acetic acid capacity . Total virgin acid includes Hoechst Celanese's 60 million ~
pound-per-year expansion at Clear Lake, Texas . ~
M
ti
b. Factor of 0.73 unit of acetic acid per unit of vinyl acetate monomer . ~
c. Factor of 0.39 unit of acetic acid per unit of cellulose acetate .
d. Other acetic acid anhydride includes exports.

PRODUCTION
The following table and graph present data on production and sales of acetic acid since 1955 .
U.S. Production and Sates for Acetic Acid
Production' Sales
1955 547 73
1956 573 79
1957 544 104
1958 584 95
1959 672 108
1960 765 141
1961 784 160
1962 985 178
1963 1,100 205
1964 1,120 234
1965 1,365 295
1966 1,409 335
1967 1,560 342
1968 1,738 379
1969 1,770 425
1970 1,932 390
1971 1,956 368
1972 2,235 570
1973 2,429 608
1974 2,584 666
1975 2,198 600
1976 2,462 544
1977 2,570 600
1978 2,776 823
1979 3,265 574
1980 2,977 515
1981 2,705 450
1982 2,748 522
1983 2,807 836
1984 2,619 811
1985 2,898 1,028
1986 2,728 865
1987 3,246 1,103
See MANUAL OF CURRENT INDICATORS for additional information .
a. From 1955 to 1965, about 18-24 million pounds of acetic acid
were produced by the destructive distillation of wood and are
included in production .
SOURCE: Synthetic Organic Chemicals, U.S. Production and
Sales, U.S. International Trade Commission.
Acetic Acid
602.5020 R
W"

602.5020 T
Acetic acid production peaked in 1987 at 3.2 billion pounds after fluctuating between 2.6 billion and 2 .9
billion pounds from 1980 to 1986. In 1986, production levels were expected to be higher, but several
plants experienced operating problems: In 1988, with reduced capacity, production is expected to drop to
the 1986 level of about 2 .7-2.8 billion pounds. With the restart of the Hoechst Celanese facility in 1989,
production is expected to grow at a rate of about 2% to reach more than 3 .6 billion pounds in 1992 .
About 100 million pounds of acetic acid (vinegar) is produced by fermentation annually . Acetic acid
content of vinegar ranges from 5-18% weight by volume and is used primarily in the preservation
(pickling) of foods.
CONSUMPTION
Acetic acid is a mature commodity chemical, but has shown some renewed growth in the last few years .
Although acetic acid has a wide variety of applications, about 56% of domestic acid consumption in 1987
was used for the manufacture of vinyl acetate monomer, another 8-9% as a solvent for terephthalic acid
production, and 8% in acetic anhydride used to make cellulose acetate . The remaining 27% goes into the
manufacture of esters of acetic acid, acetic anhydride (other than that used for cellulose acetate
production), and a number of miscellaneous smaller uses.
U.S . consumption of acetic acid increased about 4% annually between 1984 and 1987, primarily as a
result of increased requirements for vinyl acetate monomer production. Acetic acid requirements for other
derivatives held fairly steady during that period or grew slowly, except for monochloroacetic acid, which
declined.
The following table provides historical consumption of acetic acid with forecasts for 1992 :
U.S. Consumption of Acetic Acid
Acetic Anhydride
Vin l Chl o-y
Acetate
Monomer'
Cellulose
Acetate
Other
Uses Esters
DMT/
TPA
or
acetic
Acid Textiles Other Tota16
1979 1,313 570 150 329 325 55 65 140 2,947
1980 1,278 590 135 316 300 51 60 110 2,840
1981 1,281 586 140 328 270 60 70 125 2,860
1982 1,249 516 145 314 215 55 65 128 2,687
1983 1,288 483 150 309 250 60 70 130 2,740
1984 1,344 274 150 302 260 60 70 130 2,590
1985 1,542 235 161 316 250 50 70 132 2,756
1986 1,610 235 190 331 250 31 75 166 2,888
1987 1,829 300 234 343 275 22 75 168 3,266
1992 2,120-2,140 308-315 240-246 360-370 300 21-44 70 195-200 3,570-
3,640
Average Annual Growth Rate ~
(percent) ~
~
1987- ~
1992 3.0-3.2% 0.5-1.0% 1 .0-1.5% 1 .0-2.0% 1.7% (-1.0)-4.0% (-1.0)-0.0% 3.0-3.5% 2.0-2.4%

602.5020 iJ
a. Data include vinyl acetate monomer used to produce polyvinyl alcohol . Estimates based on data published by the U.S.
International Trade Commission using a factor of 0 .73 (actual range 0.71-0 .73). Industry sources indicate data for acetic acid
consumed in the production of vinyl acetate monomer are understated by 130-150 million pounds in 1983 and 130-240
million pounds in 1984 .
b. Totals may not equal the sums of the categories because of rounding.
The outlook for acetic acid consumption between 1987 and 1992 is for a modest increase of 2.0-2.4%
annually. Consumption for vinyl acetate monomer will continue to be the fastest growing outlet and will
increase 3.0-3.2% per year. Miscellaneous new uses will provide modest growth for acetic acid.
Vinyl Acetate Monomer
Vinyl acetate is the largest end use for acetic acid, accounting for about 56% of domestic consumption in
1987. In the United States, vinyl acetate is produced by reacting ethylene and acetic acid in the vapor
phase. The producers of vinyl acetate are Hoechst Celanese, Du Pont, Quantum Chemical, and Union
Carbide. Both Hoechst Celanese and Du Pont have increased vinyl acetate monomer capacity since
midyear 1987 by 150 million pounds and 75 million pounds, respectively . In the first quarter of 19813,
Union Carbide and BP Chemicals America, which markets Sterling's acetic acid, have formed American
Acetyls (a financial and marketing joint venture) . This assures Union Carbide a source of acetic acid for
vinyl acetate monomer production and assures BP a market for Sterling's acetic acid.
Vinyl acetate monomer is used in making polyvinyl acetate emulsions and resins, polyvinyl alcohol,
polyvinyl butyral, vinyl chloride copolymers, and ethylene vinyl acetate resins, and in other applications.
The major uses for these compounds are in paints and adhesives and in polyvinyl alcohol. In 1987, vinyl
acetate production of 2,506 million pounds required approximately 1,830 million pounds of acetic acid .
An estimated 200-225 million pounds of acetic acid were generated from the conversion of polyvinyl
acetate to polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl butyral . Air Products' recovered acid is sold on the merchant
market, while Du Pont and Monsanto captively consume recovered acid.
Export demand accounted for about 30% of vinyl acetate monomer production in 1987 . In 1988, a weak
U.S. dollar further increased foreign demand for U .S. vinyl acetate monomer. Unfortunately, feedstock
disruptions kept producers from capitalizing on a favorable trade situation as producers were forced to
allocate vinyl acetate monomer to domestic customers . Feedstock disruptions included the explosion at
Hoechst Celanese's acetic acid plant in Pampa, Texas in November 1987 and explosions at the steam-
cracking facilities at Shell's plant (Norco, Texas) and Texaco's plant (Port Arthur, Texas) in 1988 .
Acetic acid requirements for vinyl acetate production are projected to grow at 3 .0-3.2% per year between
1987 and 1992, requiring 2,120-2,140 million pounds of acetic acid . During this period, domestic demand
will remain strong and exports will supply a tight world market, with no planned vinyl acetate plants
scheduled through 1992. (For more information on vinyl acetate monomer, see the CEH marketing
research reports on Vinyl Acetate, Polyvinyl Acetate, and the CEH product review on Polyvinyl Alcohol)
Acetic Anhydride
Acetic acid is used to make acetic anhydride by two major processes. In the first, acetic acid is reacted
with ketene, which is generated from acetic acid . About 1.25 pounds of acetic acid are required t :o
produce a pound of anhydride by this process . The second process, used only by Eastman, reacts acetic

Descmber 2 988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 V
acid with methanol to produce methyl acetate, which is carbonylated to the anhydride . The theoretical
conversion factor for this process is 0.59 pound of acetic acid per pound of acetic anhydride . Hoechst
Celanese uses only the ketene route to acetic anhydride, while Eastman has both types of processes .
The largest use for acetic anhydride is in the production of cellulose acetate, the consumption of which is
described in more detail below. All other uses for acetic anhydride are treated separately in the section
following Cellulose acetate.
Cellulose acetate
Acetic acid is required in several steps during cellulose acetate manufacture : (1) cellulose may be
prepared for acetylation with an acetic acid--water mixture, (2) during acetylation, acetic acid is used as a
solvent for acetic anhydride, and (3) when cellulose acetate flake is recovered, the hydrolyzed cellulose
acetate solution is precipitated by mixing with dilute acetic acid, the precipitate is separated, and the dilute
acetic acid is recovered. The dilute acid may be used directly in other parts of the process, recovered for
reuse, or converted to acetic anhydride for acetylation . Hoechst Celanese and Eastman Chemical are the
two U.S. producers of cellulose acetate .
Acetic acid requirements for acetic anhydride used for cellulose acetate production dropped from 483
million pounds in 1983 to about 300 million pounds in 1987 . The large drop in acetic acid requirements
versus cellulose acetate production was due to the full phasing-in of Eastman's acetic anhydride plant in
1984. Eastman's process technology uses coal-based synthesis gas to produce acetic anhydride using
acetic acid produced in situ.
Cellulose acetate flake is used to manufacture cellulose acetate and triacetate fibers and cellulose ester
plastics, including cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), and cellulose acetate propionate
(CAP). These compounds are used for film and sheet and for molding and extrusion applications .
Production of cellulose acetate in 1987 was estimated to be about 810 million pounds . About 430 million
pounds were used to make cigarette filter tow, while textile fibers required 150 million pounds ; plastics
required about 85 million pounds, photographic films about 50-55 million pounds, and 92 million pounds
were exported. Production of cellulose acetate is forecast to grow slowly at 0.5-1 .0% per year between
1987 and 1992. Exports of cigarette filter tow to developing countries will be the primary growth area .
(For more infonnation on cellulose acetate f bers and plastics, see the CEH marketing reports on Cellulose
Acetate and Triacetate Fibers and Cellulose Acetate and Cellulose Ester Plastics)
Acetic anhydride (derivatives other than cellulose acetate)
There are several small markets for acetic anhydride that are believed to have required an estimated 230
million pounds of acetic anhydride in 1987 . A weak U.S. dollar in 1987 increased demand for acetic
anhydride exports to over 80 million pounds, double the anhydride exports in 1986 and seven times the
amount shipped in 1985. The most clearly defined domestic market for the anhydride is the acetylation of
salicylic acid to make aspirin and the manufacture of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol) .
Approximately 22-24 million pounds of acetic acid were required for these purposes in 1987 . Other
applications for acetic anhydride include starch acetylation to make textile sizing agents, electrolytic
polishing of metals, semiconductor processing, various oxidation reactions, and use in the manufacture of
acetylchloride. Acetic anhydride may also be used to make acetates of vitamin E (d-, or dl-alpha-
tocopherol acetate) . (For more information, see the CEH data summary on Acetic Anhydride--U.S. Data ,
Summary.)
OO 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International

Esters of Acetic Acid
Acetic Acid.
602.5020 W
The major esters of acetic acid-ethyl acetate, n-butyl and isobutyl acetate, and n-propyl and isopropyl
acetate-are used mainly as solvents for inks, paints, and coatings . They are prepared by esterifying the
corresponding alcohol with acetic acid in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst, with more than one
esterification often carried out in common equipment at the same facility. Esters of acetic acid are also
produced as by-products of other reactions, reducing the requirements for acetic acid .
A total of 343 million pounds of acetic acid were required for all esters of acetic acid (including glycol
ether acetates) in 1987. By 1992, acetic acid requirements for these compounds will be approximately
360-370 million pounds, assuming a projected growth rate of 1 .0-1.5% annually. Butyl acetates, the
largest group of acetic acid esters, will show the strongest growth, with a 2-3% average annual increase .
Propylene-series glycol ether acetates will grow by displacing ethylene-series glycol ether acetates, but
future consumption of acetic acid will stay at present levels . The remaining acetic acid esters will show
little or no growth.
A summary of acetic acid requirements for important esters follows :
U.S. Consumption of Acetic Acid for Major
Esters and Glycol Ether Acetates-1987
Butyl Acetates 120
Propyl Acetates 72
Ethyl Acetate 76
Glycol Ether Acetates 65
Amyl Acetates 5
Other 5
Total 343
Butyl acetates
Butyl acetates are made by esterifying the appropriate alcohol with acetic acid . Four producers of butyl
acetates in the United States operated in 1987 (BASF, Hoechst Celanese, Tennessee Eastman, and Union
Carbide). In 1987, about 290 million pounds of butyl acetates (n-butyl and isobutyl) were produced in the
United States. This represents an acetic acid requirement of about 154 million pounds. However, by-
product production is estimated to have reduced the acetic acid consumption in 1987 to 120 million
pounds. By 1992, butyl acetate production will require an estimated 132-138 million pounds of acetic
acid, assuming a projected average yearly growth of 2-3% . Butyl acetates are used as solvents for fast-
drying paints and coatings and account for 80% of domestic consumption . The remainder is used as a
reaction medium and for other solvent applications that include vinyl resins, printing inks, and cosmetics .
(For more information, see the CEH data summary on Butyl Acetates-United States .)
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©1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International ~
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December I988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 X
Propyl acetates
Propyl acetates are made by esterifying the corresponding alcohol with acetic acid . Hoechst Celanese,
Tennessee Eastman, and Union Carbide are : producers of isopropyl acetate and n-propyl acetate .
U.S. production of n-propyl acetate in 1987 was 72 million pounds, requiring about 40 million pounds of
acetic acid. The largest use for n-propyi acetate is as a solvent for printing inks, consuming about 70% of
the domestic demand for n-propyl acetate . It is also used as a solvent for nitrocellulose lacquers and other
cellulose esters and ethers. Isopropyl acetate is also a solvent for a number of synthetic and natural resins
and is used where the rate of evaporation of the solvent needs critical control . Production of the isopropyl
ester requires about 32 million pounds per year. Propyl acetates are projected to grow slowly at an .
average annual rate between 0% and 1% for the next five years, requiring between 72 million and 76
million pounds of acetic acid.
Ethyl acetate
Hoechst Celanese, Texas Eastman, and Monsanto reported ethyl acetate production in 1987 . In addition
to the direct esterification of ethanol, which is used by all producers, ethyl acetate is also produced by
Hoechst Celanese as a by-product of the liquid-phase oxidation of butane to acetic acid and by Eastman
via the Tishchenko reaction. In this reaction, acetaldehyde undergoes oxidation-reduction to the ester in
the presence of an aluminum or sodium alkoxide catalyst . Monsanto produces ethyl acetate as a by-
product of polyvinyl butyrate production .
If all acetate production were made by the reaction of acetic acid with ethyl alcohol, 148 million pounds
of acid would be required . However, it is estimated that the actual requirement for acetic acid was only 76
million pounds in 1987 because a portion of the ethyl acetate was accounted for by other sources . The
major application for ethyl acetate is as a solvent for coatings, plastics, and other uses. Production of
ethyl acetate is expected to grow at about ;t% per year, requiring about 80 million pounds of acetic acid in
1992. (For additional information, see the CEH data summary on Ethyl Acetate-United States .)
Glycol monoether acetates
Glycol monoethers are produced by reacting ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with anhydrous methyl,
ethyl, or butyl alcohols . The monoether is then reacted with acetic acid to form the acetate . The three
largest-volume ether acetates are ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl
ether acetate, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate .
These acetates are used as solvents for nitrocellulose and acrylic lacquers, varnish removers, and wood
stains. The acetate of monobutyl ether has applications as a surface coating solvent and as a fugitive
plasticizer in latex adhesive formulations . It is estimated that 65 million pounds of acetic acid were
required to produce these acetates (approximately 155-160 million pounds total acetates) in 1987 . The
growth of ethylene series glycol ethers and ether acetates has been adversely affected by a number of
laboratory studies that have shown these substances to cause birth defects in laboratory animals. Because
of this, and the suspicion that they may also pose health hazards to humans, several producers have left
the business and many products have been reformulated to reduce or eliminate glycol monoether acetates .
Restrictions by the EPA on the use of some of these products have been in effect since 1985 . Propylene
glycol monoether acetates are expected to substitute for the ethylene glycol monoether acetates to some
extent in the future. For the next five years, acetic acid demand for glycol ether acetates will remain
static. (For more information, see the CEH marketing research reports on Glycol Ethers and Propylene
Oxide.)
N

602.5020 Y
Amyl acetates
Union Carbide was the only producer of amyl acetates in 1987 . These acetates are products of the
esterification of amyl alcohols with acetic acid . Production of amyl acetates in 1987 is estimated to have
been 10-12 million pounds, requiring 4 .5-5.5 million pounds of acetic acid . Requirements in 1992 will
remain at about 5 million pounds. Amyl acetates are used mainly as solvents for nitrocellulose lacquers,
consuming about 50% of the domestic demand . Other solvent applications include production of
photographic films, leather polishes, textile sizing, and printing compounds . (For more information, see
the CEH data summary on Amyl Acetates-United States .)
Other acetic acid esters
There are a number of other less important esters of acetic acid, most of which are used in solvent
applications. These include methyl acetate used as a solvent for cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate; 2-
ethylhexyl acetate, a solvent for lacquers, emulsions, and inks ; glyceryl triacetate, with applications as a
plasticizer for cellulosic resins and cellulose acetate tow ; and benzyl acetate (requiring about 100 thousand
pounds of acetic acid), a fragrance chemical . Acetic acid consumed for these esters is estimated at no
more than 5 million pounds and is growing very slowly .
Terephthalic Acid/Dimethyl Terephthalate (TPA/DMT)
Acetic acid may either be consumed or produced in the production of terephthalic acid (TPA), depending
upon the process used .
In the United States, purified TPA is made by the Amoco process, which oxidizes 25% para-xylene in
acetic acid with air in the liquid phase . Glacial acetic acid is used to dilute the p-xylene and is later
recovered for recycle. A small percentage of the acetic acid solvent is oxidized and lost in the process.
Du Pont produces crude TPA from para-xylene, which is then purified via DMT . These processes also
consume small amounts of acetic acid. Continuous improvements have been made in these processes so
that only between 0.06 and 0.10 unit of acetic acid are lost per unit of TPA produced . About 275 million
pounds of acetic acid were consumed for this purpose in 1987 .
Acetic acid was formerly produced by Eastman at Kingsport, Tennessee as a coproduct in the production
of terephthalic acid. In this process, acetaldehyde was used as a promoter in the conversion of para-
xylene to terephthalic acid and, subsequently, acetaldehyde was oxidized to acetic acid . In December
1987, Eastman converted its process at Kingsport to a halogen-promoted reaction and no longer consumes
acetaldehyde or produces acetic acid by this method . The halogen process is the same as that used by
Eastman at Columbia, South Carolina . Also, unlike the Amoco process, the halogen-based process used
by Eastman does not use acetic acid as a reaction solvent.
TPA and its methyl ester, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), are consumed primarily in the production of
polyethylene terephthalate polymers for polyester fibers, film, bottle resins, and engineering plastics .
About 40% of the TPA produced in 1987 was exported . The acetic acid requirement for TPA production
is expected to grow at about 1 .7% annually through 1992 due to continued strong demand and a strong
export market. (For more information on TPA and DMT, see the CEH marketing research reports on
Dimethyl Terephthalate and Terephthalic Acid and Terephthalate Polyester Resins and Films.)

December 1 .988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5020 Z
Monochloroacetic Acid
Monochloroacetic acid is commonly produced by the direct chlorination of acetic acid in the presence of
catalytic quantities of sulfur or red phosphorus.
Only Pfizer reported production of this acid in 1986, but it is believed that Dow and Hercules also produce
monochloroacetic acid for captive consumption. American Hoechst brought a new 40 million pound-per-
year high-purity plant on stream in July 1983 and shut it down in the second quarter of 1985 . Hoechst
Celanese has continued to supply customers with product imported from its Federal Republic of Gennany
operations. With the current weak U .S. dollar, Hoechst Celanese is considering restarting its facility.
Total 1987 U .S. operating capacity is estimated to be 55 million pounds per year, with another 65 million
pounds on standby.
Nearly 36% of the chloroacetic acid consumed in 1987 was used to make carboxymethylcellulose .
Carboxymethylcellulose is used in many products as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, and viscosity
control agent. The largest use is in oil well drilling fluids. It is also used as textile warp sizing in paper
processing chemicals, and in detergent formulations as a soil antiredeposition agent. As long as crude oil
prices remain at the present level, use in drilling fluids will remain static .
The second-largest use is in the production of the herbicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichiorophenoxy acetic acid), of
which Dow Chemical is the only remaining U .S. producer. Trichopyr is a smaller-volume herbicide
derived from monochloroacetic acid . In 1987, about 30% of monochloroacetic acid was consumed for
herbicide production .
In 1987, an estimated 22 million pounds of acetic acid were required to produce about 35 million pounds
of chloroacetic acid. Since the closing of the Hoechst Celanese 40 million pound-per-year monochioro-
acetic acid plant in 1985, U.S. demand has increasingly been met by imports . Demand has decreased
sharply from 1984 to 1987 due to the decline in consumption of carboxymethylcellulose by the oil well
drilling industry and to a lack of growth for phenoxy herbicides (especially 2,4,5-T, which is no longer
being produced in the United States). (For more information on chloroacetic acid, see the CEH data
summary on Monochloroacetic Acid.)
Imports of monochloroacetic acid reached a historical high of 35 million pounds in 1987 following the
closing of Hoechst Celanese's plant in 1985 . In the past, exports have not been significant, but this
situation could change if Hoechst brought its plant back on stream . In spite of a declining domestic
market for monochloroacetic acid, reopening of this plant could double demand for acetic acid by 1992 .
Textiles
The use of acetic acid in textiles represents a small portion of acetic acid consumption in the United
States-about 2-3%. Textile uses include wool dyeing, silk cleaning, printing pastes, and finishing . Most
of the acetic acid is used in this industry to neutralize mercerized cotton or to adjust the acidity of dyebath
solutions. Approximately 75 million pound s of acetic acid were supplied for these uses in 1987 . Demand
is forecast to decline to about the 70 million pound-per-year level over the next five years .

602.5021 A
Other
There are numerous other derivatives of acetic acid, each consuming a relatively small volume . The total
"Other" category was estimated at about 5% of domestic acetic acid consumption in 1987, or about 168
million pounds.
Acetic acid is used in photographic processing to stop the development of images by neutralizing the
developer and to promote hardening of the emulsion on the film . This use is significant and may consume
as much as 70 million pounds of acetic acid in 1988 .
Metallic salts of acetic acid are believed to have required about 32 million pounds of acetic acid in 1987.
The most common of the salts is sodium acetate, used in hand warmers and bottle warmers, as well as in
blood dialysis units, textile dyeing, photography, and organic synthesis . In 1986, production of sodium
acetate was 41 million pounds, requiring 30 million pounds of acetic acid . Potassium acetate required
another 1 .2 million pounds of acetic acid . Many other metallic salts are produced, including ammonium
acetate and zinc acetate, but require only small quantities of acetic acid (less than a million pounds) .
In 1988, a promising new application for an acetate salt surfaced. Calcium magnesium acetate is being
used as a road deicer in special applications where sodium chloride corrosion is a significant problem
(primarily bridges) . In 1988, an estimated 16 million pounds of acetic acid were required for this purpose .
Good growth is expected for this new product . Although calcium magnesium acetate is very expensive
compared with sodium chloride, reduced corrosion maintenance costs reportedly make this product cost-
effective. Environmental legislation currently under consideration could also increase demand for this
product if enacted.
Acetic acid is used either directly or indirectly in several herbicides, most notably Lasso ® and propachlor,
both amide herbicides made by Monsanto . These products, which are largely ketene based, are estimated
to require about 25 million pounds of acetic acid .
Acetic acid is also used to manufacture acetanilide, which is then chlorosulfonated to produce
sulfonamide drugs. Pharmaceutical uses in general are believed to require about 25 million pounds of
acetic acid. Ketene-diketene derivatives, such as acetoacetylanilide compounds, are used to produce a
variety of yellow pigments . Ketene-diketene derivatives are also used by the pharmaceutical industry and
for the production of sorbic acid.
Miscellaneous applications for acetic acid inciude use in grain fumigants, pharmaceuticals, rubber
chemicals, and explosives. Acetic acid has been used as a fungicide to retard spoilage in bread and in
silage used as animal feed . Industry sources indicate medical applications as a potential new area of
growth.
PRICE
The following table shows U .S. list prices and unit sales values for acetic acid :
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© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International ~p.
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00

DEC2mber 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5021 B
U.S. List Price and Unit Sales Value for Acetic Acid'
(cents per pound)
Commercial
80%
• Glacial
Synthetic, CP
Technical
Synthetic
Unit Sales
Value, Syntheticb
1955 10.45 15.00 10.0 8
1956 10.45 15.00 10.0 8
1957 10.45 22.00 10.0 8
1958 10.45 22.00 10.0 8
1959 10.45 7.2.00 10.0 9
1960 10.45 22.00 10.0 9
1961 10.45 18.75 10.0 8
1962 10.45 18.75 10.0 8
1963 10.45 18.75 10.0 7
1964 10.45 18.75 10.0 7
1965 10.45 18.75 10.0 7
1966 9.41 18.75 9.0 7
1967 9.41 18.75 9.0 7
1968 9.41 18.75 9.0 6
1969 9.41 18.75 9.0 6
1970 9.41 18.75 9.0 6
1971 9.41 18.75 9.0 6
1972 9.41 18.75 9.0 5
1973 -- - 9.0 5
1974 -- - 9.0 9
1975 - - 14.0 11
1976 -- -- 16.0 13
1977 -- -- 17.0 14
1978 -- -- - 18.0 15
1979 -- -- 19.0 16
1980 -- -- 24.5 18
1981 -- -- 26.5 18
1982 -- -- 26.5 16
1983 -- -- 23.0 16
1984 -- -- 27.0 16
1985 -- -- 27.0 14
1986 -- -- 27.0 12
1987 -- -- 28.0 13
1988 -- -- 28.0-31.0 na
a. Prices are list prices taken on or near July 1 of each year . Whenever a range of prices was given in the
source, the lowest was used . Price bases are as follows:
COMMERCIAL 80%
1955-1972 Barrels.
GLACIAL SYNTHETIC, CP
1955-1960 Drums, delivered
1961-1972 Drums, carlots, delivered East.
TECHNICAL SYNTHETIC
1955-1960 Tanks, delivered
1961-1988 Tanks, delivered East.

602.5021 C
Most synthetic material sold in recent years is actually glacial (over 99%) acetic acid .
h Data are calculated from rounded data on sales and value of sales and are a close approximation of the
price of large quantities sold under contract .
SOURCES: (A) Chemical Marketing Reporter, midyear issues (LIST PRICE data for 1955-1984) .
(B) Synthetic Organic Chemicals, U .S. Production and Sales, U .S. International Trade
Commission (UNIT SALES VALUE, SYNTHETIC data) .
(C) CEH estimates in conjunction with industry sources (all other data).
It may be noted that unit sales value is substantially lower than quoted list price . This difference :is
explained by the fact that the majority of merchant acid is sold under contract to a few large consumers .
TRADE
Statistics on U.S. imports and exports of acetic acid since 1965 are summarized in the following table .
Import and export statistics are available for 1955-1964, but imports during that period never exceeded 9
million pounds, and exports never exceeded 0 .9 million pounds.
U.S. Trade In Acetic Acid
Imports' Exportsb
1965 9
1966 9
1967 15
1968 15
1969 9
1970 7
1971 4
1972 neg
1973 13
1974 22
1975 2 4
1976 29 9
1977 31 7
1978 56 17
1979 14 50
1980 0.5 40
1981 0.5 115
1982 25 132
1983 60 110
1984 159 202
1985 44 237
1986 49 176
1987° 35 102
1988 96d na
See MANUAL OF CURRENT INDICATORS for additional information.

602.5021 D
a. Data are reported by the source under import code # 425 .7000.
ix Data for 1975-1977 are reported by the source under export code #
512.0966; for 1978-1988, the export code is # 431 .2810. From 1965
to 1974, exports were not reported separately, but they are believed to
have been negligible.
c. Industry sources indicate exports may have been understated by 30
million pounds in 1987.
d. Data are for January through May.
SOURCES: (A) U.S. Imports for Consumption and General Imports,
FT 246, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the
Census (IMPORTS data for 1965-1976) .
(C)
(B) U.S. Imports for Consumption, IM 146, U .S.
Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
(IMPORTS data for 1977-1988) .
US. Exports, FT 410, U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census (EXPORTS data for 1975-1977) .
(D) U.S. Exports, EM 546, U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census (EXPORTS data for 1978-1987) .
In 1987, the value of U.S. acetic acid imports was $4,756,647, or an average import price of 13 .59 cents
per pound. About 33% of the 1987 imports were from Mexico and 53% from the United Kingdom, with
most of the remainder from the USSR (12%) . The 1988 regular duty is 1 .8% ad valorem; free for
designated beneficiary developing countries, such as Mexico; and 16% for the Soviet Bloc and some Far
Eastern countries (Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated [1988], USITC Publication 2030, U .S.
International Trade Commission) .
The value of acetic acid exports in 1987 was $15,676,484, or an average export price of 15 .36 cents per
pound. About 24% of the 1987 export volume went to Taiwan, 18% to Japan, 9% to the Netherlands, 7%
to the Republic of Korea, and 6% to the United Kingdom .
Because of the raw material and energy cost advantages of the methanol carbonylation process for
manufacturing acetic acid and because the United States had the greatest capacity for this process, exports
of acetic acid from the United States increased sharply during 1980-1984. However, imports also
increased very rapidly during this period, largely as a result of the shutdown of Union Carbide's
Brownsville, Texas plant. Exports peaked in 1985 at 237 million pounds but have steadily decreased
since that time. Exports are expected to remain level as BP International expands capacity in the United
Kingdom and new capacity comes on stream in the Far East and Eastern Europe . Imports decreased in
1985 to about 45 million pounds and decrea'sed further to 35 million pounds in 1987 as producers
increased existing capacity. Imports jumped temporarily to 90 million pounds by midyear 1988,
supplementing capacity lost in late 1987 at the Hoechst Celanese Pampa, Texas facility . By 1992, imports
will have decreased to about 20 million pounds if all projected U .S. capacity is operational .

602.5021 E
CANADA AND MEXICO
PRODUCING COMPANIES
The following table summarizes acetic acid capacity in Canada and Mexico as of January 1, 1988 :
Canadian and Mexican Producers of Acetic Acid
Company and
Plant Location
Annual Capacity
as of January 1, 1988
(thousands of
metric tons) emarks
Celanese Canada Inc .
Clover Bar, Alberta 71 n-Butane
Celanese Mexicana, S .A.
Celaya, Guanajuato' 3
Liquid-phase
oxidation
Acetaldehyde
Cosoleacaque, Veracruz 119 Acetaldehyde
Quimica Simex, S .A.
Naucalpan, Mexico 6 Acetaldehyde
Total 259
a. This plant was shut down in 1983, but was brought back on stream in 1988 to
supplement the U.S. market. It is questionable whether this facility will continue
running once Hoechst Celanese restarts its Pampa, Texas facility .
SALIENT STATISTICS
Salient statistics for Canada and Mexico from 1983 to 1987 are summarized in the following tables .
Canadian Supply/Dentand for Acetic Acid
1983
Production
61
Imports
neg
Exports
neg
Consumption
61
1984 60 1 neg 60
1985 62 neg neg 62
1986 67 neg neg 67
1987 68 neg neg 68
SOURCES: (A) World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International .
(B) CEH estimates (data for PRODUCTION for 1986 and 1987) .

602.5021 F
Mexican Supply/Demand for Acetic Acid
Production Imports Exports Consumption
1983 96 -- 11 85
1984 122 -- 27 95
1985 121 -- 25 96
1986 113 -- 21 92
1987a 110 -- 15 95
a. In 1987, an additiona144 thousand metric tons of acetic acid were recovered .
SOURCES: (A) World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International .
(B) CEH estimates (data for PRODUCTION for 1986 and 1987).
CONSUMPTION
In 1987, Canadian consumption of acetic acid was primarily for the manufacture of vinyl acetate
monomer (48%) and acetic anhydride (40%), with three-fourths of the acetic anhydride used for the
production of cellulose acetate .
In Mexico, acetic acid is consumed primarily in the manufacture of acetic anhydride (65%), with the
majority of the anhydride used to produce vinyl acetate . About 15% is used in the production of
terephthalic acid, and another 11% is consumed in the production of acetate esters .
TRADE
Canadian trade in acetic acid is negligible, with small quantities of acetic acid imported-about 0 .3
thousand metric tons-and no exports . Canada exports about one-half of its acetic acid derivatives .
Mexico does not import acetic acid . Exports were about 15 thousand metric tons in 1987 and increased to
about 30 million pounds in 1988 to supplement the U.S. shortage of acid caused by the explosion at
Hoechst Celanese's Pampa, Texas plant .
WESTERN EUROPE
PRODUCING COMPANIES
The following table summarizes the virgin acetic acid capacity located in Western Europe as of January 1,
1988 :
~
~
~
~
W.-•
. ~
© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International +~
~
W

602.5021(3
Western European Producers of Acetic Acid
ompany and
Plant Location
Belgium
Annual Capacity
as of
January 1, 1988
(thousands of
metric tons) rocess
Puratos nv/sa
Groot Bijgaarden 2 Recovered from spent
Denmark
Grindsted Products A/S
Food Products Division
Grindsted
France
Rhone-Poulenc Chimie
Pardies
Germany, Federal
Republic of
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Ludwigshafen
Hoechst AG°
Frankfurt
Knappsack
Huels Aktiengesellschaft
Marl
Lonza-Werke GmbH
Waldshut
Wacker-Chemie GmbH
Burghausen
Italy
Montedipe SpA
Porto Margherab
Spain
Industrias Quimicas Asociadas,
SA-IQA
Tarragona°
1
00
0
145
75
40
12
80
70
00
acetic anhydride
y-product of vitamin
production from acetic
anhydride
ethanol carbonylation
Acetaldehyde oxidation
cetaldehyde oxidation
~
~
C3T

Deccmber 1988 ACETIC ACID
Western European Producers of Acetic Acid (continued)
Annual Capacity
as of
January 1, 1988
Company and (thousands of
Plant Location metric tons) Process
Acetic Acid
602.5021 H
Switzerland
Lonza AG
Visp 45 Acetaldehyde oxidation
United Kingdom
BP Chemicals Ltd.
Hull 200 Naphtha oxidation
200d Methanol carboxylation
Total 1,310
a. Expanded to about 165 thousand metric tons in 1988 at Frankfurt .
b. Expanded to 70 thousand metric tons in 1985 .
c. Placed on standby in 1985, brought back on stream in 1988 . Plant is expected to close
again by 1990.
d Plans to add an additional 200 thousand metric tons of acetic acid equivalent, flexible
ratio of acetic acid and acetic anhydride, in the first quarter of 1989 .
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International.
SALIENT STATISTICS
In 1988, Western European merchant supplies of acetic acid were tight, as some producers exported
higher-priced product to the United States.
The following table summarizes total supply and demand estimates for Western Europe (both EEC and
non-EEC countries):
Western European Supply/Demand
for Acetic Acid-1987
Production 1,093
Net Export 32
Consumption 1,068
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program,
SRI International. ~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~~

December 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Ac:~d
602.50211
CONSUMPTION
The following table provides a breakdown of Western European acetic acid consumption in 1987 by
major end use:
Western European Consumption of Acetic Acid-1987=
Benelux France
Germany,
Federal
Republic of Italy Spain
United
Kingdom
Vinyl Acetate -- 111 161 40 -- 65
Cellulose Acetate -- 16 - b -- -- 64
Other Esters -- 27 50 18 5 49
Acetic Anhydride -- 32 20 -- -- 37
TPA (solvent) 8 -- - 11 11 32
Chloroacetic Acid 20 22 67 -- -- 5
Other 26 7 27 19 5 33
Total 54 215 325 88 21 285
a. The countries in this table account for 93% of Western European acetic acid consumption .
b. Included in ACETIC ANHYDRIDE.
X
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International.
PRICE
The following table presents a price history for acetic acid in the Federal Republic of Germany:
Federal Republic of Germany Prices for Acetic Acid
(100% basis)
DM per
Metric Ton
Cents per
Kilogram
Exchange Rate
(DM per dollar)
1974 950 36.6 2.59
1975 1,050 42.6 2.46
1976 1,050 41.7 2.52
1977 1,000 43.1 2.32
1978 1,000 49.8 2.01
1979 1,020 55.7 1.83
1980 1,185 65.1 1.82
1981 1,280 56.6 2.26
1982 1,300 53.5 2.43
1983 1,204 47.2 2.55
1984 1,226 43 .0 2.85
~
1985 2121 53.6 2.94, ~
1986 1631 53 6 2 17, . .
C3~
1987 0051 55.8 1.80, ~
~
~
© 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook--SRI International ~
~
~

Decembet 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5021 J
SOURCES: (A) International Financial Statistics, International
Monetary Fund (data for EXCHANGE RATE).
(B) CEH estimates (all other data) .
JAPAN
PRODUCING COMPANIES
The following table summarizes acetic acid capacity in Japan as of January 1, 1988 :
Japanese Producers of Acetic Acid
ompany and
Plant Location
Annual Capacity
as of
January 1, 1988
(thousands of
metric tons) rocess
Daicel Chemical Industries Ltd .
Ohtake, Hiroshima Prefecture 35 Naphtha oxidation
Kyodo Sakusan K.K.
Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture 240'
and peracetic acid
Methanol
The Nippon Synthetic Chemical
Industry Co . (Nippon Gohsei)
Mizushima, Okayama Prefecture 148 Acetaldehyde
Showa Acetyl Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Tsurusaki, Oita Prefecture 130b Acetaldehyde
Total 553
a. Kyodo Sakusan K .K. increased capacity to 260 thousand metric tons by debottlenecking
in June 1988 .
b. Showa Acetyl Chemicals has announced a capacity increase to 140-150 thousand metric
tons. No date of completion has been announced.
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International .
PRODUCTION
Production and sales statistics for acetic acid are shown in the following table :
~
~
G~t
~
~.
~
~.~
~

Japanese Production and Sales of Acetic Acid
Production' Sales
1973 526 290
1974 509 295
1975 443 273
1976 550 343
1977 544 316
1978 518 293
1979 502 293
1980 418 332
1981 365 na
1982 353 na
1983 328 na
1984 350 na
1985 344 na
1986 300 na
1987 367 na
a. Excluding recycled acetic acid in polyvinyl alcohol
production from polyvinyl acetate .
CONSUMPTION
Japanese consumption of acetic acid for 1983-1987 is shown in the following table :
Japanese Consumption of Acetic Acid
Acetic Aci.d
602.5021 K
Vinyl
Acetate'
Cellulose
Acetateb
Terephthalic
Acid
Acetate
Esters
Monochloro-
acetic Acid
Acetic
Anhydridec Otherd Total
1983 80 64 37 29 18 13 88 3:29
1984 92 64 40 31 19 15 94 355
1985 86 69 50 31 20 15 94 365
1986 84 58 57 31 17 14 95 356
1987 103 61 63 30 14 13 93 377
a. Excluding recycled acetic acid in polyvinyl alcohol production from polyvinyl acetate . In 1983, 101 thousand metric tons of
acetic acid were recycled.
b. Use of acetic acid for cellulose acetate production via acetic anhydride and excluding recycled acetic acid .
c. For uses other than cellulose acetate .
d Includes uses for monosodium glutamate production, textile industry consumption, and consumption in foods,
pharmaceuticals, and photographic and miscellaneous chemicals .
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program, SRI International .
00

December I988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid
602.5021 L
The primary reason acetic acid consumption increased in 1987 was the strong demand for polyvinyl
alcohol, which reflected back to increased vinyl acetate demand . Total demand for acetic acid in Japan
will increase at 0.5% per year for the next several years . Demand for acetic acid for vinyl acetate is
expected to decline as vinyl acetate imports increase . Some of the vinyl acetate monomer will be
converted to polyvinyl alcohol, and recycled acetic acid will help meet acetic acid requirements . The
demand for acetic acid to be used to make monosodium glutamate (MSG) is uncertain because molasses is
also used as a feedstock for production .
PRICE
The following table shows list prices for acetic acid in Japan:
Japanese List Prices for Acetic Acid
(yen per kilogram)
List Price
Unit
Sales Value
Exchange Rate
(yen per dollar)
1979 138-159 109 230
1980 217-326 145 217
1981 212-217 144 228
1982 220-225 145 250
1983 200-210 136 236
1984 215-230 128 254
1985 215-230 128 238
1986 215-230 114 168
1987° 180-190 105 147
a. Data are for midyear.
SOURCES: (A) Chemical Daily (data for LIST PRICE) .
(B) Yearbook of Chemical Industries Statistics,
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (data
for UNlT SALES VALUE).
The current contract price is estimated to be between 140 and 180 yen per kilogram by drum .
TRADE
In 1987, 54% of acetic acid imports were from the United Kingdom and 37% from the United States .
Exports were primarily to Taiwan (38%), the Republic of Korea (35%), and Indonesia (16%) .
Japanese Trade in Acetic Acid
Imports Exports
1983 20 12
1984 36 16
1985 45 13
1986 53 17
1987 50 39
SOURCE: World Petrochemicals Program,
SRI International .
cr:

December 1988 ACETIC ACID Acetic Acid.
602.5021 M
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chemical Economics Handbook The following CEH marketing research reports, product reviews and
data summaries contain additional information that is pertinent to the subject of this marketing research
report:
Acetaldehyde
Butyl Acetates-United States
Cellulose Acetate and Cellulose Ester Plastics
Cellulose Acetate and Triacetate Fibers
Chloroacetic Acid-Salient Statistics
Dimethyl Terephthalate and Terephthalic Acid
Ethyl Acetate-United States
Glycerin
Glycol Ethers
Methanol
Polyvinyl Acetate
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Terephthalate Polyester Resins and Films
Vinyl Acetate
Process Economics Program-The following Process Economics Program reports and reviews contain
more detailed information on the manufacturing processes, process design, and process -&onomics of
chemicals discussed in this report . Address inquiries concerning this information to the Process
Economics Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025 .
Acetic Acid and Acetic Anhydride, Report Nos . 37 and 37A, March 1968 and March 1973.
Acetic Acid by Low Pressure Carbonylation of Methanol, Review Number PEP 78-3, January 1980,
pp. 55-75.
Acetic Acid from Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen, Review Number PEP 75-3-3, April 1976, pp . 2-
14.
Terephthalic Acid and Dimethyl Terephthalate, Report Nos . 9, 9A, 9B, and 9C, February 1966,
January 1967, September 1970, and August 1978 .
Vinyl Acetate, Report No. 15A, June 1972.
Other References-The following list of additional references is suggested for supplemental reading :
"Acetic Acid Producers Plan to Boost Production Capacity," Japan Chemical Week June 30, 1988, p . 2.
"BP Chemicals International," CP1 Purchasing, April 1988, p. 5.
"BP Division, Sterling Form Venture to Boost Acetic Acid Capacity," Journal of Commerce, March 30,
1988, p. 9b.
"BP, Kemira Boost Production at Hull," Journal of Commerce, June 1, 1988, p . 9b.
"Chemicals from Coal Plant Unveiled," Oil & Gas Journal, Apri123, 1984, pp . 56-57.
O 1988 by the Chemical Economics Handbook-SRI International

602.5021 N
"CPI Data and Trends : Chemforecasts: Acetic Acid," CPI Purchasing, March 1988, p . 33.
"Formic Acid Woodpulping Could Yield Valuable Chemical Products," Pulp & Paper, September 1983,
pp. 102-104.
"Healthy Gains for Japanese Exports," Chemical Week March 2, 1988, p. 13.
"Hoechst Celanese Expands Acetic Acid and VAM," Chemical Week, June 1, 1988, p . 43.
"International : Adhesives Price Fears," World Tobacco, March 1988, p . 7.
"JCW Spotlight on...Acetic Acid," Japan Chemical Week, February 4, 1988, pp. 6-7.
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3d ed., vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
1978, pp. 124-177.
"Ti02 Looser by '93 ; Other Raw Material Markets Discussed," American Paint and Coatings Journal,
June 13, 1988, pp. 46-47.
Wilson, C. 0 ., O . Grisvold, and R. F. Doerge, Textbook of Organic Medicinal and Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, 7th ed., J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1977, pp . 203, 711-716.

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