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Acetic Anhydride
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PRODUCER |
CAPACITY* |
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Celanese, Narrows, VA |
260 |
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Celanese, Pampa, TX |
250 |
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Celanese, Rock Hill, SC |
250 |
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Eastman, Kingsport, TN |
1,800 |
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U.S. Total |
2,560 |
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|
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Celanese, Cangrejera, Mexico |
90 |
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Celanese, Edmonton, Alberta |
55 |
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Other N. American Total |
145 |
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|
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Total |
2,705 |
*Millions of pounds per year.
Commercial production is based on carbonylation of methyl acetate and on
ketene technology utilizing acetic acid. Most acetic anhydride is used
captively in the production of cellulose acetate for filter tow and fiber.
Eastman capacity includes 1,200 million pounds of material based on
synthesis gas from coal, and 600 million pounds based on the ketene process.
In 2000, Celanese quit acetic
anhydride production in Celaya, Mexico, eliminating 90 million pounds of
capacity.
Profile last published
2/2/98; this revision 2/12/01.
DEMAND
1998: 1,884 million pounds; 1999: 1,902 million pounds; 2003: 1,964 million
pounds, projected. Demand equals production plus imports (1998: 28 million
pounds; 1999: 30 million pounds) less exports (1998: 165 million pounds;
1999: 172 million pounds).
GROWTH
Historical (1994 - 1999): 1.2 percent per year; future: 0.8 percent per year
through 2003.
PRICE
Historical (1994 - 1999): High, $0.495 per pound, tanks, dlvd.
East; low, $0.475, same basis. Current: $0.495, same basis.
USES
Cellulose acetates, including cellulose acetate, cellulose
diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and
cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) 86 percent; miscellaneous, including coatings,
pesticides, aspirin and acetaminophen, 14 percent.
STRENGTH
Exports of acetic anhydride are strong and will continue to
do well, having grown in recent years at 4.2 percent annually. Last year,
exported material amounted to 185 million pounds.
WEAKNESS
About 42 percent of acetic anhydride is consumed in cellulose acetate flake
used to produce filter tow. Tow, however, is used in cigarette filters, and U.S.
demand for cigarettes peaked in 1996, declining at an average annual rate of 8
percent per year since then. Exported filter tow is doing well, offsetting the
domestic situation somewhat. Another major outlet for acetic anhydride, acetate
derived textile fibers, has experienced a long term decline because of
competition from other fibers, particularly polyester.
OUTLOOK
Acetic anhydride is a mature product with over 85 percent of
production going into cellulose acetate flake, which in turn, serves
well-established markets in filament yarn, cigarette filter tow and cellulose
ester plastics. Uses for acetic anhydride other than for cellulose acetates are
fragmented and none of them show significant growth potential. Moreover, no
major new growth prospects have been identified. Consequently, future growth
will be very modest, estimated at 0.8 percent per annum.
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