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Acrylic acid and esters are perhaps the most versatile series of monomers
for providing performance characteristics to thousands of polymer formulations.
They are flammable, reactive, volatile liquids based on an alpha-, beta- unsaturated
carboxyl structure. Incorporation of varying percentages of acrylate monomers
permits the production of thousands of formulations for latex and solution
copolymers, copolymer plastics and cross-linkable polymer systems. Their performance
characteristics—which impart varying degrees of tackiness, durability,
hardness and glass transition temperatures—promote consumption in many
end-use applications. Major markets for the esters include surface coatings,
textiles, adhesives and plastics. Polyacrylic acid or copolymers find applications
in superabsorbents, detergents, dispersants, flocculants and thickeners. Superabsorbent
polymers are used primarily in disposable diapers.
The following pie charts show world consumption of crude acrylic acid and
commodity acrylate esters.
World demand for crude acrylic acid is forecast to grow at 3.7% annually
during 2006–2011, while demand for glacial acrylic acid is forecast to grow
at about 4% annually during 2006–2011, primarily due to the growth of
SAPs. Demand for commodity acrylates is forecast to grow at 3.7% annually during
2006–2011. With growing demand for acrylic acid derivatives, led by superabsorbent
polymers, major producers have debottlenecked and expanded plants and built
new facilities at key sites throughout the world.
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