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Polyvinyl Alcohol Market: Innovation, Sustainability & Interdependence

May 28, 2021

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH or PVA) is a structurally isomeric, acetylene-based polymer used in a large variety of applications. Its functional palette could be really wide and limitless, including polyvinyl alcohol blends with other polymers, and comprise such areas as adhesives, …

Butadiene Rubbers Market: Key Prospects & Challenges

May 21, 2021

Butadiene rubbers belong to an extensive family of elastomers and are noted for their excellent performance with respect to elasticity, abrasion resistance, glass transition temperature, and low-temperature flexibility. Apart from butadiene rubbers, elastomers comprise such versatile products as styrene-butadiene rubber, …

Polyphenylene Sulphide Market: Prospects & Trends

May 10, 2021

Polyphenylene sulphide is a versatile high-performance engineering polymer, which is available in a range of compositions with other materials and manufactured in a wide assortment of grades. Its processing modes vary, while its commodity forms could be also diverse and …

Hydrogen Cyanide Market: Challenges and Trends

April 26, 2021

Hydrogen cyanide is an important organic compound and a chemical intermediate indispensable in the production of adiponitrile, sodium cyanide, acetone cyanohydrin, methionine, cyanuric chloride, and chelating agents. These derivatives, in turn, are vital for multiple industries and further downstream applications. …

Ethylbenzene Market Trends and Challenges

April 16, 2021

Ethylbenzene is an important chemical intermediate used predominantly for the production of styrene, but also for making fuel blending components and solvents. Ethylbenzene is converted to styrene via dehydrogenation, oxidation, chlorination, and other industrial routes, while ethylbenzene itself is produced …

Calcium Chloride Versatility Guarantees Its Durable Demand Profile

April 5, 2021

Calcium chloride is a highly versatile chemical product used in a very diverse range of applications. These include: de-icing and anti-icing (calcium chloride acts as one of the most effective de-icers); oilfield and water treatment applications (e.g. oilfield fluids, pipeline …

Global Polycarbonate Market: Key Trends & Challenges

March 29, 2021

Polycarbonates, which are linear polyesters of carbonic acid, form a group of thermoplastic polymers within an important commodity chain. This chain combines bisphenol A/phosgene or diphenyl carbonate as feedstocks and multiple end-products consumed in different areas: automotive (e.g. dashboards, side, …

Global Formaldehyde Market: Trends & Challenges

March 16, 2021

Formaldehyde (or aqueous formaldehyde solutions) is an important and versatile chemical with a major outlet in the production of formaldehyde-based amino, phenolic, and polyacetal resins. It is also used to manufacture various chemicals (e.g. BDO, MDI, and pentaerythritol), drying agents, …

Global Polyethylene Market Dynamics amid COVID-19 Pandemic

March 9, 2021

Polyethylene (PE) comprises a vast and significantly important group of ethylene homopolymers, as well as ethylene copolymers with some olefins. Produced via step-growth polymerization and processed via various technologies (blow molding, extrusion, and injection molding), polyethylene could be of various …

Maleic Anhydride Market: Prospective and Challenging Character

February 26, 2021

Maleic anhydride is an important chemical intermediate with extremely wide functionality. A specific structure of the chemical optimises its applicability in chemical conversions and transformations. Its key application areas include the production of unsaturated polyester resins (a major outlet that …

Acrylonitrile Market Dynamics & Resilience

February 19, 2021

Acrylonitrile is an important commodity chemical with multiple uses and advantageous properties, like enhanced elasticity or good compatibility within polymer blends. As a monomer, it is primarily used in the production of acrylic and modacrylic fibers. This application segment accounts …

Phthalic Anhydride Market Scenario amid Macroeconomic Recovery

February 12, 2021

Phthalic anhydride is an important chemical intermediate, which is produced via the oxidation of o-xylene and naphthalene or mixed feed. Phthalic anhydride participates in the production of (saturated and unsaturated) polyester resins, polyols, plasticizers, alkyd resins, flame retardants, coatings, engineered …

Sulfuric Acid Market Demonstrates Mixed Regional Dynamics and Cautious Optimism

February 4, 2021

The current situation on the global sulfuric acid market remains unstable, though there are some signs of optimism. It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic had a very lasting and profound impact on the chemical and other industries. This impact …

Hydrogen Peroxide Market Resilience During Coronavirus Pandemic

January 28, 2021

Hydrogen peroxide is an important commodity chemical used in various applications, among which the pulp and paper industry acts as the main outlet. With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous agencies and media reported about the rising demand for …

Polyphenylene Oxide Market Trends in Times of Crisis

January 19, 2021

Polyphenylene oxides (or polyphenylene ether) represent a group of thermoplastic polymers that are manufactured via oxidative dehydrogenation of 2,6-disubstituted phenols. Being fully miscible with polystyrene, polyphenylene oxides actually are blends of polyphenylene ether with other polymer products (and additive packages), …

Global Cumene Market Shows Robust Performance

January 8, 2021

The trends in the global cumene market are guided mainly by its important role in combined phenol/acetone production. Phenol and acetone production, in turn, leads to the manufacture of multiple chemical intermediates (methyl methacrylate, bisphenol-A, etc.) and end products, including …

Mixed Prospects in Sodium Chlorate Market

December 28, 2020

The application of sodium chlorate (NaClO3), also known as chlorate of soda, is predominantly orientated at two segments. Firstly, it is used in chlorine-free pulp bleaching in the pulp and paper industry. It is considered to be an environmentally preferred …

Global Bentonite Market Demonstrates Strong Resilience

December 16, 2020

The current state of the market for bentonite and its products is negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic reduced the overall demand in multiple bentonite-consuming sectors, deteriorated the functioning of distribution networks, and violated the operation of …

Phosphate Rock Market: Major Issues & Top Trends

December 3, 2020

The essential need in food security and the growing demand for agricultural products has laid the groundwork for the phosphate market development. Phosphate rock is used predominantly (up to 95%) in the production of different types of fertilizers (both solid …

Acrylic Acid Market Shows Lucrative Growth Potential Despite Current Macroeconomic Turbulence

November 19, 2020

Acrylic acid is an important chemical compound, which acts as an element of extensive value chains with end uses in products like plastics, paints, textiles, lacquers, coatings, surfactants, adhesives, detergents, water treatment products, hygiene items, to name only a few. …

Polyphthalamide Market Remains Under Pressure from Global Macroeconomic Uncertainty

November 12, 2020

Polyphthalamide (PPA) represent a group of multi-functional thermoplastic synthetic resins, which belong to the class of crystalline semi-aromatic polyamides with aromatic groups in their polymer backbones. They, especially when blended with other polymers, demonstrate good dimensional and heat stability (it …

COVID-19 Impact on US Perchloroethylene Market

November 5, 2020

Perchloroethylene (PERC), also known as tetrachloroethylene or tetrachloroethene, is a versatile chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. It is used for dry cleaning, metal degreasing, paint stripping, adhesive thinning, insulating and cooling (in electrical transformers), paper coating, leather/textile treatment, and other applications. It …

Ethylene Dichloride Market Demonstrates Complex Dynamics

October 28, 2020

Ethylene dichloride (EDC), also known as 1,2-dichloroethane, is inextricably embedded into the complex chlor-vinyls production networks, featuring a range of feedstock chemicals, intermediates, and end-use products. A key chain in these networks includes ethylene, chlorine, caustic soda, EDC, vinyl chloride …

Polybutylene Terephthalate Market Is Witnessing Unstable Recovery

October 19, 2020

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) belongs to the class of polyesters within a broader category of polycondensates. Being a high-performance engineering plastic material with advanced parameters in rigidity and strength, abrasion/heat/hydrolysis resistance, processing capacity, flame retardancy, and dimensional stability, it is widely …

Magnesium & Its Compounds Market: Versatility, Innovation & Collaboration as Enablers of Good Prospects

October 8, 2020

Magnesium compounds, primarily magnesium oxide, are used mainly as refractory materials. The key refractory markets for magnesium oxide by industry are steel (about 70%), cement and lime, ceramics, metals, glass, chemicals, and others. The major producer of magnesium compounds is …