Comparison of MMA technology routes and how to choose. Methanol method? Isobutylene method? Propyl cyanohydrin method?
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The MMA industry has recently gained significant popularity, especially after the ban on MTBE, making the conversion of isobutylene into MMA a hot topic. Currently, the main MMA production methods are the propylene chlorohydrin method, the isobutylene method, and the aldol condensation method. The propylene chlorohydrin method requires HCN, and the waste acid is also difficult to handle, making it a process that is now subject to restrictions. The isobutylene process has been industrialized in China, such as Huayi Yuhuang’s 50,000-ton MMA production facility and Wanhua’s 50,000-ton MMA production facility. The aldol condensation method uses methanol and formaldehyde as raw materials (or coal as the starting material), and many research institutions are also working on it. What are everyone’s thoughts on the technical approach for MMA? Discussion is welcome. Is the isobutylene route fully technologically mature? What is the startup load? What are the production costs? How much is consumed publicly? Does the aldol condensation technique meet the conditions for industrialization?
The complete process for producing hydrocyanic acid via the methanol ammonia oxidation method, used in MMA manufacturing, is already mature.
Hello! I really haven’t heard of this process; are there any industrial applications of it available at the moment? Furthermore, according to the **2016 Document issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce on the Negative List for Market Access**, \"methyl methacrylate produced by the propylene cyanohydrin method\" (except those used in conjunction with acrylonitrile production facilities) is included in the list of projects for which new construction is prohibited in the petrochemical industry. Is this process subject to industrial policy restrictions?
Are you preparing to launch a new project or learning about the relevant processes?
During the survey, there were ideas to launch new projects
In the \"Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment\" (2019 version, draft for comments), \"methyl methacrylate produced by the propyl cyanohydrin method\" is classified as a substance subject to restrictions rather than a prohibited one, with the note that \"use of hydrogen cyanide as a by-product is exempt.\" Therefore, when there is an acrylonitrile plant, a \"methyl methacrylate via cyanohydrin method\" plant is usually installed as well, in order to utilize the hydrogen cyanide produced as a by-product of the acrylonitrile plant.
Currently, the more popular route under discussion is the isobutylene route; what are your thoughts?
The isobutylene route is a clean process with relatively low production costs. Compared to other process routes such as the \"propyl cyanohydrin method,\" the isobutylene route is relatively more advanced; the expansion of this industry is primarily constrained by the availability of suitable technology. It is expected that after the successful commissioning of their first production units, Shanghai Huayi and Wanhua Chemical will leverage their advantage in possessing proprietary technologies to further expand their MMA production facilities using the isobutylene process. Other companies that find it difficult to obtain technical licenses can only watch as they wish to build such devices.
There are no news of new facilities being built by Wanhua, while Hua Yi has expansion plans. Is there any technology transfer related to Hua Yi’s MMA?
It is understood that Huayi MMA technology will primarily be used in self-developed projects or joint-venture projects over the next few years, and will not be licensed or transferred to third parties.