Super absorbent resin production status and market prospects
hc360 Huicong Network Plastics Industry Channel 2004-05-27 18:36:49
Abstract: Introduction to this article This article summarizes the domestic and foreign research, production and consumption profiles of super absorbent resins, and puts forward suggestions for the future development of super absorbent resins in my country.
Keywords: super absorbent resin; production; market; consumption; suggestions
CLC number: Document identification code: A Article number: 1009-4725(2003)12- 00
Production Status and Market Foreground of Super Absorbent Polymers
LIU Fu-shun3, YANG Xiao-rong1, YU Yang3, PANG Hui-yuan2, LI Shu-hong1, ZHAO Jing- feng1
(1. Institute of Science and Technology, Siping 136000, China; 2. Xia San Tai Reservoir, Siping 136000, China; 3. Dan Qing Pharmacy Factory, Siping 136000, China)
Abstract: This paper introduced the research, production and consumption of super absorbent polymers (SAP) at home and abroad. Suggestions about the development of SAP in the future were put forward in the end.
Keywords : super absorbent polymers; production; market; consumption; suggestion
1 Overview
Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) is a highly hydrophilic resin containing carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. It is a polymer with a certain degree of cross-linking network structure [1] and is a special functional material. It is insoluble in water and organic solvents, and has unique properties. It can quickly absorb dozens or even thousands of times of its own weight in water through hydration, and can also absorb dozens to 100 times of salt water, Liquids such as blood and urine also have strong water retention capabilities. As a promising new functional polymer material, SAP is completely different from traditional water-absorbing materials such as sponges, paper, cotton, etc. Its applications involve many industries. In addition to the field of sanitary products, it is also widely used in agriculture, forestry, gardening, soil and water conservation, medical care, cosmetics, building materials, cables, and electronics industries [2].
At present, although the demand for SAP in sanitary products in developed countries is becoming increasingly saturated, the demand in this area in developing countries is expanding day by day. Companies have expanded production and increased research and development efforts. Due to the extremely wide range of uses of SAP, it has received great attention from various countries. It can be seen that further development of SAP is still of great significance.
2. Production method of SAP
2.1. Classification of SAP
SAP is generally divided into three categories based on raw materials: starch system, cellulose system and synthetic resin system. kind. Cross-linked acrylate polymers are an important aspect of synthetic resin-based water-absorbent materials and are considered the most promising water-absorbent resins. Most of the SAPs currently used in medical and health products are acrylic super absorbent polymers. Compared with other types of super absorbent agents, this type of polymer not only has high water absorption properties, but also has the characteristics of low production cost, simple process, stable product quality, and no deterioration after long-term storage. Therefore, it has become the mainstream of SAP products.
2.2 Production methods of polyacrylate-based SAP
The production methods of polyacrylate-based SAP mainly include aqueous solution polymerization and reverse-phase suspension polymerization [3-7].
2.2.1 Aqueous solution polymerization method
The aqueous solution polymerization method uses water as the solvent to cross-link and polymerize acrylic acid partially neutralized by alkali in the presence of a cross-linking agent. A method of drying and pulverizing SAP.
This method uses water as the solvent, does not produce pollution during the production process, has low equipment requirements, and saves investment. It is simple to operate and has high production efficiency. The disadvantage is that the reaction speed is fast. The temperature is not easy to control, and post-processing requires additional drying. .Crushing and screening process, the product performance is poor. Main manifestations: low water absorption (absorbing distilled water and physiological saline), slow water absorption, low product strength, easy moisture absorption, uneven product particle size, etc. It is difficult to meet the requirements of sanitary products. Manufacturers that adopt this method include Nippon Shokubai, Sumitomo Seiki, Sanyo Chemical and other companies. Domestic SAP production also basically adopts this method.
2.2.2 Reverse-phase suspension polymerization method
The reverse-phase suspension polymerization method uses a solvent as the dispersion medium, and the aqueous solution monomer sodium acrylate neutralized by alkali is added to the suspension dispersant and It is a polymerization method in which the polymer is dispersed into aqueous phase droplets under stirring, and the initiator and cross-linking agent are dissolved in the aqueous phase droplets.
This method solves the problems of heat transfer and stirring difficulties in the aqueous solution polymerization method, and the reaction conditions are mild, and bead-shaped products can be obtained directly. The particle size of the produced SAP can be adjusted according to the purpose and water absorption requirements. It has high water absorption rate, fast water absorption speed, high product strength, and is not easy to absorb moisture. It meets the quality requirements of medical and sanitary products, but the characteristics of the water-absorbent resin produced by this method are unmatched by other methods. It is a unique method of synthesizing SAP. The disadvantages of this method are that the main equipment material requirements are high, equipment investment is large, and organic solvents are used. A solvent recovery device is required and pollution is likely to occur. Only intermittent production can be carried out, the equipment utilization rate is low, and the production efficiency is low. Companies using this method include Japan's Sumitomo Chemical and Catalyst. There are currently no reports of industrial production using this method in our country.
3 SAP production overview
In 1978, Japan realized the industrial production of SAP. Subsequently, the American Chemdal Company, Japan's Sumitomo Chemical, Catalyst Chemical Company, Germany's Stockhause, and Japan's Sanyo Chemical Dozens of companies such as , Dowchemica and others have been put into production. In 1980, the world's production capacity was 5 kt. In 1990, the production capacity increased to 210 kt. In 1998, it has developed to 850 kt. By 2000, the world's SAP production capacity rapidly increased to 1,200 Around kt. At present, the main production areas include the United States, Japan, and Western Europe. With the expansion of the Asian market, some companies have also built factories and put into production in Asia. Southeast Asia will also become the fourth largest production area.
my country began its research on SAP in the early 1980s. More than 40 units have been engaged in SAP research, and there are dozens of patent reports. At present, my country's SAP production capacity is around 30 kt/a, and there are nearly 30 manufacturing companies, but the scale is not large, and there are only 7 companies with a production capacity of more than 1 kt. Among them, those with an annual output of 5 kt include: Shaanxi Huaguang Industrial Co., Ltd., Qinghai New Polymer Materials Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu Guoda Polymer Materials Co., Ltd. Those with 3 kt/a include: Baoding Kehan ??Technology Development Co., Ltd. Tangshan Boya Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Jiabao Sanitary Materials Factory; those with 1 kt/a include: Shanghai Gaoqiao Pujiang Plastic Factory, the operating rate is not high, in 2001 Annual output is approximately 15 kt. According to reports, Japan's Sandage Polymer Company is considering China's rapid growth in demand for SAP and plans to build a new production base in Nantong, Jiangsu with an output of 130 kt/a. It is expected to be completed and put into production in 2005. Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. will start construction of Nippon Chemical Industry (Zhangjiagang) Co., Ltd. at the end of the year, with a total investment of 43 million US dollars and is planned to be completed by the end of 2004. After being put into operation, it can achieve an annual SAP production capacity of 30 kt. The products are mainly used for disposable diapers.
4 SAP consumption situation
SAP is a functional water-absorbent material. Due to the wide range of applications of SAP, the consumption of SAP has grown rapidly in the past ten years. The United States, Western Europe and Japan It is the main consumer of SAP. In 1999, the original consumption of super absorbent resin in the world was estimated at 800 kt. Its main consumer country was the United States, with consumption of about 280 kt, accounting for 35% of world consumption, followed by Europe, with consumption It is about 200 kt, accounting for 25% of the world's consumption, and Japan's consumption is about 80 kt, accounting for 10% of the world's total consumption. Consumption in South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia accounts for 30%. It is predicted that global demand will reach more than 1,000 kt by 2003. Super absorbent resin is mainly used in sanitary materials, such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers and diapers. and patient mattresses, etc. The use of sanitary materials accounts for about 80% of the total, agriculture, forestry, water conservation and breeding account for 8%, construction additives account for 4%, oil field mineral additives account for 3%, and others account for 5%.
In the 1990s, with the rapid development of sanitary products in my country, a Chinese SAP consumer market has been formed. However, domestic products cannot compete with imported products in terms of price or product quality. Compared with foreign countries, There is still distance. The consumption of SAP in my country is mainly based on sanitary products. It is expected that by 2003, the domestic demand for SAP will reach 30 kt, of which the consumption of personal hygiene products is about 26 kt, and the consumption in agriculture, forestry and other aspects is about 4 kt. , by 2010 the domestic demand for SAP will reach 100 kt. At present, most of the SAP used in domestic sanitary products are imported products. The current import price is 15,000 to 18,000 yuan/t. The domestic SAP production cost is 12,000 to 15,000 yuan/t, and the selling price is 18,000 to 22,000 yuan/t.
5 Development Suggestions
Super absorbent resin is a multi-variety, multi-functional material with excellent water absorption and water retention, and has been widely used in many fields. However, the application of super absorbent resin in my country is currently limited to personal hygiene products, and research on its application in other fields such as agriculture, medical supplies, daily chemicals, and construction should be vigorously carried out. At present, there are dozens of research and production units in our country, but the production scale has not yet been formed. Due to the high product performance and high cost, most of the domestic super absorbent resins still need to be imported. Therefore, relevant departments in our country should actively cooperate, increase investment, accelerate scientific and technological progress, improve existing technologies, realize industrial production of reverse-phase suspension polymerization as soon as possible, shorten the gap with foreign advanced technologies, and drive the super absorbent resin industry ization process.
Although the domestic market demand for super absorbent resin is increasing rapidly, from a global perspective, with the commissioning of a number of new equipment, the market demand for super absorbent resin will gradually become saturated. China's entry into the WTO will have a greater impact on Chinese companies. Therefore, the domestic super absorbent resin industry must overcome the proliferation of small devices. After China joins the WTO, large foreign companies will no longer blindly merge or rebuild factories, but will bring their own funds or technology to find partners in China. Therefore, Chinese companies should change their views, put down their burdens, seize opportunities, actively cooperate with foreign companies, make full use of their financial or technological advantages, and improve their product competitiveness as soon as possible to meet the growing needs of our people.
Contact number: 0434-3271139.
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