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Introduction To Maleic Anhydride

1. Maleic anhydride is an unsaturated organic compound with the chemical formula C4H2O3. It is an important industrial chemical used to produce polymers and resins. 2. Around 60% of maleic anhydride production is used for unsaturated polyester resins, most notably in the fiberglass industry. Other applications include lubricating oils, agricultural chemicals, and copolymers. 3. The global maleic anhydride market was estimated at $4.11 billion in 2012 and is projected to reach $5.96 billion by 2018, growing at a rate of 6.4% annually. The largest producers worldwide are Huntsman Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical

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663 views7 pages

Introduction To Maleic Anhydride

1. Maleic anhydride is an unsaturated organic compound with the chemical formula C4H2O3. It is an important industrial chemical used to produce polymers and resins. 2. Around 60% of maleic anhydride production is used for unsaturated polyester resins, most notably in the fiberglass industry. Other applications include lubricating oils, agricultural chemicals, and copolymers. 3. The global maleic anhydride market was estimated at $4.11 billion in 2012 and is projected to reach $5.96 billion by 2018, growing at a rate of 6.4% annually. The largest producers worldwide are Huntsman Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical

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Atta Bhati
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Introduction

Maleic Anhydride (MAN) is an unsaturated oxy-organic compound which


has cyclic structure containing four carbon atoms.

Chemical Formula of Maleic Anhydride is


C4H2O3

Different names for Maleic Anhydride are being used, 2,5-furadione,


dihydro-2,5-dioxofuran and cis-butadioic anhydride.
Maleic Anhydride is very important chemical in polymer as well as
composite industry. Due to the three oxygen atom and a double bond
present in Maleic Anhydride, it is an excellent joining and cross linking
agent. This ability of Maleic Anhydride makes it very much useful and
important in polymer industry, and it is of significant commercial interest
worldwide. Its most important use is in the manufacture of Polyester
Resin.

1.1 History(1)
Naturally Maleic Anhydride does not exist. It was first produced by
Germen scientist Pelouze by heating the maleic acid in 1834. This was not
the commercial production.
The commercial production of Maleic Anhydride stars from 1930s after the
century of is discoveries.
In 1933 National Aniline and Chemical Company in United States of
America started a plant to produce Maleic Anhydride by oxidizing Benzene
catalytically.
After some time in 1980s United States switches their Maleic Anhydride
Production from Benzene to Butane. But in some European countries
Benzene is still used as raw material for Maleic Anhydride production.
In 1983, Monsanto in USA started the worlds first plant to produce Maleic
Anhydride
from
butane
having
capacity
of
59000
t/yr.
Hastyencroachment in catalytic technology helps to increase the capacity
to double in 1999.

Now these days 1359000 t/yr of Maleic Anhydride is being produced


worldwide.

1.2 Properties
1.2.1 Physical Properties(1), (2)
Maleic Anhydride is a white solid and colorless in molten liquid form.
Table 1.1

Physical Properties
Chemical name

2,5-Furandione

Chemical Formulation:

C4H2O3

Molecular weight

98.06

Odor

Strong irritating acrid odor

Specific Gravity

Molten: 1.3 at 70C (water = 1.0);


Solid: 1.48 at 20C(water = 1.0)

Vapor Pressure

0.2 mm Hg at 25C

Vapor Density

3.38 (Air = 1.0)

Melting Point

52.5C (126.5F)

Boiling Point

202C (395F)

Solubility in Water

(40gm/100ml)

pH

2.42 (0.01 M solution)

Solubility in Other Solvents

Chloroform, acetone, ethyl


acetate, benzene,
hydrocarbons, dioxane

Thermal Decomposition
Temperature

>150C

1.2.2 Fire Hazards(2)


Table 1.2

Fire Hazards
Flash point:
Auto ignition temperature:
Flammable limits in air % by
volume:

102oC (216oF)
477oC (891oF)
lower limit : 1.4;
upper limit: 7.1

1.2.3 Health Hazards(3)


Table 1.3

Effect Assessment
Acute Toxicity (inhalation, Oral or
Dermal)
Irritation / Corrosion
(Skin, Eye, Respiratory System)
Sensitization

Results
Harmful if swallowed
Causes severe skin burns and eye
damage
May cause an averse skin reaction
May cause allergy or asthma signs
or breathing difficulties if inhaled

1.3 Applications
Maleic anhydride is an active chemical used is the manufacture of a
number of useful chemicals and products. Maleic Anhydride itself is not

used frequently but it is an important Intermediate chemical to produce


useful products. Its key usage is in the makingof Unsaturated Polyester
Resin, which is the main need of fiber glass industry. (4)Maleic anhydride
into a diversity of applications, such as food modification, lubricating oils,
cosmetics, toiletries, detergents, pesticides, and herbicides. About 60% of
Maleic Anhydride produced is used in Polyester Resin manufacturing,
and the rest is used to produce other derivatives.
A report of Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation (Austin) represented
graphically shows the use of Maleic Anhydride in Production of its
derivatives.

Figure 1.1

Worldwide Use Of Maleic Anhydride


Others; 11%
Agricultural Chemicals; 2%
Co-polymers; 8%

Lube Oil Additives; 11%

Unsaurated Polyester Resin; 63%

Unsaurated Polyester Resin

Lube Oil Additives

Co-polymers

Fumaric Acid & Maleic Acid

Agricultural Chemicals

Others

1.4 Importance(4)
Maleic Anhydride is an important chemical growing its market rapidly, The
world market for Maleic Anhydride was esteemed at US$4.11 billion in
2012 and it is probable to grasp a value of US$5.96 billion in 2018,
growing at a 6.4% CAGR from 2012 to 2018.
The capacity of the maleic anhydride production, globally, is projected to
touch 2,752.4 ktons value by the end of 2018.
Following graph shows the growth rate of Maleic Anhydride market.

Figure 1.2

1.5 Major Producers


1.5.1 Worldwide
Worldwide different companies in different countries produces Maleic
Anhydride, some of them are listed below.
Bartek Ingredients Inc. Canada(6)
Bartek is the world's prime Malic and food grade Fumaric Acid
manufacturer with a setup of over 40 distributors selling in over 35
countries.
Bartek produces high purity Maleic Anhydride at their Stoney Creek,
Ontario, Canada plant. This facility uses the modern in butane catalytic
conversion technology in Bartek-designed and built reaction and refining
systems.
Sasol-Huntsman Germany(7)
Sasol-Huntsman is one of the leading suppliers of maleic anhydride in
Europe. The current production capacity of Maleic Anhydride is 105,000
Mt/year. It is produced entirely for sale on the trade market. The
production site is in Germany in Moers-Meer beck on the left bank of the
Niederrhein (Lower Rheine Region).
Huntsman Corporation USA(8)
Huntsman is one of the world's largest producers of Maleic Anhydride.
Huntsman is also the world's largest licensor of Maleic Anhydride and
related technologies.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Japan(9)
Mitsubishi is the largest manufacturer of Maleic Anhydride in Japan, also
one of the largest producer in the world. Mitsubishi Chemical is using
latest technology to convert Butane to Maleic Anhydride.
Since 1971, our Mizushima plant (Kurashiki-shi Okayama-ken) has had
industrial manufacture of Maleic Anhydride starting from the C 4 fraction.
Currently, butane is the starting material.
Suzhou Synthetic Chemical Co, Ltd. China(10)
In China Suzhou Synthetic Chemicals Company is the largest trade
manufacture of Maleic Anhydride. It also contributes in the world
production in a good manner.
1.5.2 Producers in Pakistan
Nimir Chemicals Pakistan Limited(11)

Nimir Chemicals Pakistan Limited is the only producer of Maleic Anhydride


in Pakistan.
Nimir Chemicals Pakistan Limited is using old Benzene oxidation
technology. And some of the Maleic Anhydride is being produce as a
byproduct in Phthalic Anhydride manufacturing process. In Phthalic
Anhydride manufacturing ortho-xylene is reacted with air to produce
Phthalic Anhydride and Maleic Acid. Maleic Acid is then converted to
Maleic Anhydride.

1.6 Major Consumers of Maleic Anhydride in Pakistan


In Pakistan Maleic Anhydride is being used to produce its various
derivatives. Different industries are using Maleic Anhydride to produce
Polyester Resin.
Major Consumer of Maleic Anhydride in Pakistan are;
1. Descon Engineering Limited
Descon Engineering Limited is using Maleic Anhydride to in the
production of Polyester Resin.
2. Dawood Chemical Industries
Dawood Chemical Industries uses Maleic Anhydride in the
production of binders and glues used in manufacture of Plywood.
They also use Maleic Anhydride to produce Polyester Resin.
3. Al-khair (HMD) Industries Pvt. Ltd. Karachi
Al-Khair is also producing Polyester Resin from Maleic Anhydride.

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