TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS/FEEDSTOCK
Polyacrylonitrile resins are produced by suspension and solution polymerization. The polymer typically contain 85-90% acrylonitrile, 7-8% of a neutral acrylate co-monomer (e.g., methyl acrylate), and 2-5% of other co-monomers, for example vinyl acetate. The polymers formed are generally atactic and have an average molecular weight of 100,000-150,000.
In suspension polymerization, small droplets of acrylonitrile are suspended in water through the action of vigorous agitation and a stabilizing agent to prevent coalescence of the monomer droplets. Polymerization occurs in the presence of a catalyst that is soluble in the monomer. The polymer is then separated, washed, dried, milled, and dissolved in a fiber-spinning solvent.
END USE
Apparel is the dominant market for acrylic and modacrylic fibers, with principal applications in hosiery, sweaters, craft yarn, pile, and knits. Home furnishings markets represent a smaller percentage of the total market; carpets and rugs, blankets, and upholstery and drapery market sections account for the major volume in this area.
Industrial markets for acrylics are small, with some usage in fiberfill and stuffing, protective and coated fabrics, non-wovens, filter bags, and other miscellaneous areas. Industrial uses include stuffing and fiber fill, rope, cordage, and clothesline. Also used as asbestos replacement, concrete and stucco reinforcement.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
MAJOR INVESTMENTS
Capacities shut
Acordis Acrylic Fibres
Acordis Acrylic Fibres has permanently closed down its textile acrylic fibre production at Grimsby and Bradford. Acordis was running under the control of Deloitte, which was appointed as administrator in May 2005.
Solutia
Solutia has exited the acrylic fibre business in early 2005. The company's plant in Decatur, Alabama, was closed in April 2005.
Capacities Commissioned
Thailand
The Aditya Birla Group of India is investing two billion baht over next two years to raise its Thai acrylic-fibre production capacity to 120,000 tonnes a year. The plant at Saraburi currently produces 20,000 tonnes per year. Thai Acrylic Fibre would become one of the top three producers in the global industry by 2010. It has also invested 6.6 billion baht to build two acrylic-fibre plants in China and Egypt with initial combined capacity of 80,000 tonnes per year.
The YnFx Acrylic Chain Report 2007 has them in the order of their capacities worldwide
The detailed Industry Structure and the Company names with capacity and % Share in the global market is available in the Acrylic Chain Report 2007 by Yarnsandfibers.com
AN OVERVIEW
In 2005, the US$ 5 billion plus acrylic fiber industry expanded by 5.1% in terms of value and by 2.8% in terms of volume. During the year, global production of acrylic staple fibre touched 2,791 thousand tons. Acrylic accounts for 8% of all chemical fibre produced in the world. The share has fallen dramatically from 15% in early 1980s. During the last 5-year period ended 2005, ASF production has increased at a rate of 1.25% per annum, the slowest growth rate among all chemical fibres production.
Global acrylic staple fibre production capacity stands at 3,127 thousand tons. Of this, nearly half is in Asia, and with China accounting for almost a quarter of global capacity. Japan, on the other hand, shares just 9.5% of global capacity which has seen consistently dropping from 13.5% in 2000. Turkey has maintained its global share at 7.8% in the last 5 years.
The future projections, and country-wise demand for Acrylic Staple Fibre is covered in the Acrylic Chain Report 2007 by Table of Contents
The report also covers Various aspects in tabular as well as graphical form as shown below
Price Trends -
The current prices and the trends are published weekly in theYnFx PriceWatch Report, which covers 22 textile products, starting from feedstock till yarn, and tracks the international price movement on a weekly basis.
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