Download Report IHS CEH Report : Water-Soluble Polymers, Synthetic (Chemical Economics Handbook 2019)
PDF by S&P Global Commodity Insights; IHS Markit
Information
Format: PDF Language: English Pages: 128 Publisher: S&P Global Commodity Insights; IHS Markit Publitshion date: 2019 ISBN: 136313
$49
Delivery time: Maximum 24 hours
Description
The term synthetic water-soluble polymer encompasses a range of materials, including polyethylene glycols, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyamines, quaternary ammonium polymers, and other polymers. These macromolecules perform a variety of functions in aqueous solution, serving as dispersants, suspending agents, thickeners, stabilizers, coagulants, flocculants, film-formers, binders, humectants, and lubricants in many different applications. In addition, some water-soluble polymers serve as starting materials for other water-soluble materials.
Global consumption of synthetic water-soluble polymers was approximately 5.7 million metric tons (100% active basis) in 2018. China was the leading global consumer of water-soluble polymers, accounting for 53% of global consumption. The mature markets of North America, Western Europe, and Japan represented 14%, 12%, and 4% of global consumption, respectively. Other Asia and Oceania made up 12% of world consumption.
The majority of end-use applications for synthetic water-soluble polymers are well established. Large-volume industrial applications include municipal and industrial water treatment, paper and board manufacture, textile processing, mineral processing, oil and gas production, detergents, adhesives, surface coatings, and construction chemicals. Synthetic water-soluble polymers also find application in consumer goods such as personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Growth in consumption of synthetic water-soluble polymers is therefore expected to be in line with regional growth expectations for the various end-use industries.
Overall global growth in the consumption of synthetic water-soluble polymers is forecast to be 4.4% per year during 2018–23. China will experience the highest growth rate (6.2% per year on average) during the forecast period, followed by Other Asia and Oceania (4.6% per year). As the world's largest and fastest growing market for synthetic water-soluble polymers, China will account for more than three-quarters of total consumption growth through 2023. In contrast, consumption in North America, Western Europe, and Japan is predicted to grow at a slower pace (0.8–2.0% year) because of the maturity of large traditional applications such as water treatment, paper production, detergents, and textile processing.
Above-average consumption growth is anticipated for polyethylene glycols, which serve as chemical intermediates in the manufacture of polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs). PCEs are highly effective plasticizers for concrete admixtures, reducing the amount of water required in concrete formulations and improving their workability. Due to their superior performance, PCEs continue to replace traditional plasticizers such as lignin sulfonates and formaldehyde condensates. The rapid expansion of construction in developing nations—particularly China—has propelled the use of PCEs over the last 10 years, and this trend is set to continue.
Polyacrylamides will also experience strong consumption growth during the forecast period, driven by demand from the water treatment and oil and gas sectors. Again, China will account for the bulk of consumption growth.
$49
Delivery time: Maximum 24 hours