Introduction


Demand for Acrylonitrile softened due to price hike in feedstock material, Acrylic fiber manufacturing is the largest use of ACN acrossthe world. The Acrylic fiber manufacturers are looking for other alternativesof this process as price hike is mainly due to poor downstream market. ManufacturingIndustry is looking for alternative roots to reduce the production cost.


Almost 50% of the total ACN is used to produce Acrylic fibers. Currently the demand of Acrylic fibers is stagnant, where Acrylic fiber producers are bound to run their plants near by 60% of their actual production capacity. Fibre producing Industry also plans for shutdown at regular interval so that the volume of acrylicfiber does not increase in the market.


Fibre producers are also planning for technologically upgradation to reduce their production and plant operating cost. Price hike inAcrylic fiber is necessary which is justified by ACN manufacturer and Acrylicfiber producer; by argues that 1.1 pound propylene and pound ammonia is usedto make 1 pound of Acrylonitrile. Price of both the raw materials have is beenincreased drastically, which is even reflected in the price of other textilefibers like Polyester with one or other reasons. One can even say passed on tothe user, but in Acrylic fiber usage is less and due to poor market share price hike is resisted strongly and margin of manufacturer get affected, which again effect on production process only.


Outlook


In another study it was also seen that Rising ammonia and propylene prices are accepted in other derivatives of ACN e.g. ABS, SAN etc demand of the otherderivatives are not shrank compared to Acrylic fibers due to diversified usage.Recently the scenario has been changed that the trend of ABS remains the keyfactor and driving force in ACN market. Usage of ABS is increased during last10 years and may be in near future we would see a transition phase where ABScome up as import consumer of ACN. As far as the consumption of Acrylic fiberis concerned; it is believed that we may see some relief from propylene side, and once the barrier is crossed (New Diversified Use Found or price hike is accepted) in long term there is definitely a growth for this industry.


Demand for acrylamide is strongly driven by waterpurification industry, while the demand for carbon fibers in Automobilesindustry is increasing day by day. ABS is also one of the important inputs inAutomobile industry. This smaller segment and uses of ACN will also support themarket trend strongly in near future. Experts believed that in near future ACNmarket will also turn bullish as demand increase strongly.


In Supply side global ACN manufacturer do not see much moreaddition and supply remain unchanged at 6.2 million metric ton till the end of thisyear. As per the market trend there are only few plants coming up, one of them isthe joint venture between Asahi Kasei and PTT chemicals at Thailand; the plant is going to start in 2011.


Technological Innovation


Propylene ammoxidation is still the major commercial routeto produce Acrylonitrile. BP generally uses Sohio Process where propylene, ammonia and air are mixed to produce ACN and allied products. Asahi Chemicals andSolutia use a separate technology to produce ACN.


Efforts are going on jointly by BPChemical, Asahi Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical to invent cheaper technologyto produce Propane to ACN. Mitsubishi Chemical is also pursuing its low propane conversion project in JV with BOC. As of early 2001, Asahi Chemical is undertaking commercialtrials at Kawasaki for the new technology, and BP operated a $10 milliondemonstration plant at Green Lake, Texas.




 

Global Production Capacity of Acrylonitrile

Regional Capacity

Production 000, Ton

N America

1605

S America

153

W Europe

726

E Europe

347

Asia (China & India)

1040

F E Asia

1336

S E Asia

670

Others

270


  • Global production capacity is 6.25 Million ton in Year 2008


 


Top Exporters of Acrylonitrile for Year 2007


Countries

Trade Value (US$)

Net Weight (Kg)

USA

1,339,919,040

851,672,281

Rep. of Korea

293,485,496

184,262,557

Japan

279,235,750

169,746,779

Germany

212,742,000

128,945,206

United Kingdom

203,135,442

102,570,269

Netherlands

156,665,954

99,275,162

Russian Federation

150,607,280

112,443,850

Belgium

67,091,814

34,979,384

Brazil

51,423,827

32,755,128

Mexico

28,194,192

18,154,655


 

Top Importers of Acrylonitrile for Year 2007


Countries

Trade Value (US$)

Net Weight (Kg)

China

723,106,286

435,513,389

Rep. of Korea

219,682,247

130,568,596

Thailand

212,124,031

145,584,085

Belgium

188,944,471

98,123,962

Germany

188,044,000

107,697,700

France

146,851,962

79,695,300

Netherlands

131,768,948

83,964,528

Mexico

127,391,692

80,061,545

United Kingdom

108,941,750

60,674,264

Malaysia

78,227,603

47,775,559

 

Price Trend of Acrylonitrile in Last One Year

 

Year

Month

Price (US$ / MT)

2007

June

1720


July

1755


August

1795


September

1900


October

1950


November

1930


December

1900

2008

January

1910


February

1920


March

1930


April

1970


May

2040


June

2096

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

 

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com

 

-------------x------------------