The global demand for methyl methacrylate (MMA) has seen a steady rise, with the market growing by 6% in recent years. Notably, China's MMA market has experienced even more rapid growth, with an annual increase of 15%. In 2004, global production capacity was approximately 2.5 million tons per year. Today, most production facilities are operating at full capacity, and manufacturers are actively investing in new projects and expanding their energy infrastructure.
MMA is widely used in various applications such as acrylic sheets, computer components, automotive parts, electrical equipment, and signal boards. The strong growth in China’s MMA market has attracted major international players, who are now setting up or expanding their operations in the region.
For instance, the British company Lucite International started production at its 93,000-ton-per-year MMA plant in the Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park in July this year. The second phase of the project is expected to increase capacity to 150,000 tons annually. Meanwhile, Japan's Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. plans to launch its 90,000-ton/year MMA plant in the Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park in Huizhou in July 2006. This facility will utilize advanced C4 oxidation technology to produce MMA from isobutylene.
In addition, Mitsubishi Synthetic Fiber Company and Marubeni Corp. have formed a joint venture in Nantong to build a 100,000-ton/year MMA resin production unit within the next year. German chemical giant Degussa is also expanding its presence in China, planning to construct an MMA plant in Shanghai with a capacity of at least 100,000 tons per year. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008 or early 2009, will cost around 500 million euros. While Degussa's existing plant uses acetone and hydrocyanic acid, the new Chinese facility may adopt the C4 oxidation route.
Asia's MMA expansion is accelerating rapidly, with this year's total production capacity expected to reach 1.3 million tons. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is investing 2 billion yen to build a 90,000-ton/year MMA plant and a 50,000-ton/year PMMA plant in Singapore, both set to start operations in Q1 2008. Lucite International is also planning to build an MMA plant in Singapore, while Thailand-based MMA companies are expanding their existing facilities to 83,000 tons/year and adding a 10,000-ton/year butyl methacrylate unit.
In South Korea, LGMMA Company completed its 40,000-ton/year MMA plant in Yecheon in October 2005, further strengthening Asia's growing MMA production base. These developments highlight the increasing importance of the MMA market in the region and the continued interest from global chemical companies in securing a strong foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing industrial markets.
Aluminum Flat Bar
Aluminum Flat Bar,aluminium square bar,flat aluminium strip
Sinogar Metal Co.,Ltd , https://www.sedinoaluminium.com