CAPROLACTUM
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Caprolactam is an organic compound which is a lactam of 6-aminohexanoic acid (ε-aminohexanoic acid, aminocaproic acid). It can alternatively be considered cyclic amide of caproic acid. The primary industrial use of caprolactam is as a monomer in the production of nylon-6. In small amounts caprolactam is also used in cross-linking for polyurethanes and in the synthesis of lysine. Most of the caprolactam is synthesised from cyclohexanone via an oximation process using hydroxylammonium sulfate followed by catalytic rearrangement using the Beckmann rearrangement process step.
Physical Properties
| Description |
White, hygroscopic, crystalline solid or leaflets form |
| Molecular formula |
C6H11NO |
| Molecular weight |
113.16 g/mol |
| Density (water=1) |
1,01 g/cm3 |
| Boiling point |
136-138 °C / 10 mm Hg |
| Melting point |
69-70 oC |
| Conversion factor |
1ppm=4.6 mg/m3 @ 25 oC |
TECHNOLOGY/PROCESS/FEEDSTOCK
The majority of caprolactam produced is derived from cyclohexane, although a small amount is made from phenol and toluene. The most common process starts with benzene raw material to make cyclohexane, which in turn is oxidized to cyclohexanone. Reaction with ammonia derived hydroxylamine forms cyclohexanone oxime, which in turn undergoes molecular rearrangement to form caprolactam. The major commercial processes are: conventional Stamicarbon and Nitric Acid Reduction.
CONVENTIONAL PROCESS
This process involves the reaction of cyclohexanone with hydroxylamine sulfate in the presence of aqueous ammonia to form cyclohexanone oxime (the ammonia neutralizes the sulfuric acid formed during the oximation, with AS as a by-product). Hydroxylamine sulfate is prepared by the Raschig method, which starts with air oxidation of ammonia.
TOLUENE PROCESS
In the toluene process (Snia Viscosa patents), toluene is oxidized to benzoic acid, which is in turn hydrogenated to hexahydrobenzoic acid. This material in turn is reacted with nitrosylsulfuric acid to make caprolactam.
END USE
The major usages of caprolactam are in:
- Essentially all caprolactam is used in the manufacture of nylon 6 (65-70% of global consumption)
- Plastics (25-30%). Caprolactam is also used in textile stiffeners, film coatings, synthetic leather, plastics, plasticizers, paint vehicles, cross-linking for polyurethanes, and in the synthesis of lysine.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
In 2007, there were 32 caprolactum producers worldwide with an aggregate capacity of 4.86 million tons spread over 42 plants. The top 10 largest producers of caprolactum worldwide accounted for over 65% of world capacity. The top two producers were BASF Group and DSM Group together holding close to 30% of global capacity.
The complete Nylon Chain Report 2008 covers Major Investments in Caprolactum, Corporate Developments in 2007 etc - View Table of Contents || Buy this report online
AN OVERVIEW
Global caprolactum production touched 4.37 million tons in 2007, im-plying a significant increase of 7.3% over 2006. This is the fastest year-on-year increase recorded in the past 10 years. Over the past 10 years, caprolactum output has risen by a modest 3% per annum against 2.2% rate of increase in consumption and 2% increase in ca-pacity.
The report also covers various aspects in tabular as well as graphical form as shown below
The global country-wise demand for caprolactum, capacity addition, supply balance, future prospects, price trends, caprolactum 2007 producers, Demand - Supply and much more is covered in the complete report - Nylon Chain Report 2008 published by Yarnsandfibers.com.
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Price Trends
The current global prices and trends are published weekly in theYnFx PriceWatch Report, which covers 22 textile products, starting from feedstock till yarn. This report is available for online subscription.
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