ICIS Value Chain: Acrylic acid

4% derivative

■ Used in paints and coatings, adhesives, superabsorbent polymers (SAP), water treatment chemicals.

■ Year-over-year demand in the US has improved slowly, much of it from the architectural coatings market, whose recovery was delayed by economic uncertainty and a severe and prolonged US winter.

■ American Acryl completed a spring turnaround in June at its 120,000 tonne/year acrylic acid plant in Bayport, Texas, US.

■ Europe demand has not peaked as usual in spring and summer, on an earlier February pick-up from the coatings and construction sectors, from a mild winter.

■ In China, weak downstream demand and the start-up of new capacity prompts producers to start exporting.

■ Asia producers will maintain strict control of operating rates.

■ Several Asia glacial acrylic acid producers can use product internally for SAP.