ETHYL METHACRYLATE

Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA) is a key intermediate chemical, due to its ability to undergo polymerization and copolymerization.  Polyacrylates, a family of clear and relatively durable thermoplastics, are the major source for the consumption of EMA.   At the end of 2008, there were almost 50 ethyl methacrylate manufacturing plants globally (some uncertainty exists over the precise number of plants in China where the very small localized plants are scattered over a wide geography) with plant sizes ranging from 1 500 to 360 000 metric tons per year (3.3 to 794 million pounds EMA per year).   EMA can be commercially manufactured by a number of routes.

The conventional EMA process centers on the reaction of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and acetone to give acetone cyanohydrin.  The cyanohydrin then undergoes acid assisted hydrolysis and esterification with methanol to give ethyl methacrylate.  This process (known as the ACH route) whilst quite economical if a producer has access to a low cost source of HCN, creates large amounts of ammonium bisulfate byproduct.  This byproduct disposal issue and the handling of the highly toxic HCN, has prompted a great deal of research over the years aimed at developing newer cleaner and more cost effective process technologies for making EMA.

Project Reports Cover:

•     Introduction
•     Uses and Applications
•     Properties
•     Market Survey with future aspects
•     Present Manufacturers
•     B.I.S. Specifications
•     Manufacturing Process with Formulae
•    Cost Economics with Profitability Analysis
•     Capacity
•     Land & Building Requirements with Rates
•     List & Details of Plant and Machinery with their Costs
•     Raw Materials
•     Details/List and Costs
•     Power & Water Requirements
•     Labour/Staff Requirements
•     Utilities and Overheads
•     Total Capital Investment
•     Turnover
•     Cost of Production
•     Break Even Point
•     Profitability
•     Land Man Ratio
•     Suppliers of Plant & Machineries and Raw Materials.