This chart shows Acrylonitrile price assessments in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 5 locations, as follows:
- Acrylonitrile, US (United States): Acrylonitrile, export transaction price, fob, United States
- Acrylonitrile, CN (China): Acrylonitrile, import transaction price, cif, China
- Acrylonitrile, NEA (Northeast Asia): Acrylonitrile, export transaction price, fob, Taiwan
- Acrylonitrile, EUR (Europe): Acrylonitrile, domestic cash cost (formula), exw, Northwest Europe, feedback costs
- Acrylonitrile, SEA (Southeast Asia): Acrylonitrile, import transaction price, cfr, India (netforward from fob Taiwan)
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Intratec's methodology employs a structured big data strategy that utilizes advanced technologies to extract publicly available data from primary sources such as governmental trade records, statistics bureaus, and international agencies.
This data is then processed through mathematical models to generate reliable assessments, published at the very beginning of each month. To better understand the data provided check Intratec Primary Commodity Prices Methodology.
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Acrylonitrile Price Outlook
Acrylonitrile Price Outlook. The price of Acrylonitrile (United States) decreased during May 2020 to 845 USD per metric ton, which represents a considerable decline of 18% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, the prices of Acrylonitrile (United States) decreased significantly by 48%. Meanwhile, the average price of Acrylonitrile (China) amounted to 882 USD per metric ton, from 1,710 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the price of Acrylonitrile (China) is 18% lower than the price one month before.
The price of Acrylonitrile (Southeast Asia) declined considerably throughout May 2020, reaching 834 USD per metric ton. The price is 22% lower than the average price in the previous month and 51% lower than the average price one year before. In contrast, the prices of Acrylonitrile (Europe) decreased significantly during May 2020, reaching 863 USD per metric ton, which means a decline of 18% from the previous month’s price and a decline of 32% from the previous year’s price.
The prices of Acrylonitrile (Northeast Asia) experienced a significant decline of 212 USD per metric ton from the prior month's price, to 798 USD per metric ton. Such price movement meant a decrease of 21% on a monthly basis and a decrease of 53% on a yearly basis.
About Acrylonitrile
About Acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile (a.k.a. 2-Propenenitrile, Prop-2-enenitrile, Vinyl Cyanide) is an organic compound, consisting of a vinyl group linked to a nitrile, with worldwide production of more than 10 billion pounds per year. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with onion-like odor. It is a very reactive compound, due to its high polar nature (arising from the presence of the nitrogen heteroatom) and unsaturation. In the absence of a hydroquinone inhibitor, it polymerizes spontaneously when exposed to light, heat or in the presence of a strong alkali.
The chemist Charles Moureu is recognized as the first man to synthesize Acrylonitrile, in 1893. However, the compound became important only after the 1930s, when it started to be employed in the manufacture of synthetic fibers and rubbers. At this time, Acrylonitrile was a low-volume specialty chemical derived from acetylene and hydrogen cyanide at high costs. This remained unchanged until the breakthrough of the selective oxidation catalyst, which led to a significant reduction in the production costs. This catalyst allowed the production of Acrylonitrile from propylene - the route that is still the most widely used today. Currently, Acrylonitrile is produced by the vapor phase ammoxidation of propylene.
Recently, a propane ammoxidation process has also been industrially employed. Both processes generate acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide as by-products. Some routes based on renewable raw materials are under development. One of them uses glycerol, obtained as by-product of biodiesel production.
Acrylonitrile Handling. Acrylonitrile is commonly transported via ISO tank container, bulk truck, rail car, drum, barge or ship. Storage tanks should be constructed at ground level and in the open air. If a leak develops, ground level construction improves the detection of any vapor emissions and allows natural ventilation to disperse these vapors. Storage tanks must be located away from potential sources of ignition, since mixtures of Acrylonitrile with air are flammable. Heat radiation from fires in an adjacent area should also be considered in choosing the tank location. In its liquid state, Acrylonitrile has a tendency to polymerize, which can be prevented by the addition of phenolic (e.g. methyl ether of hydroquinone or amine-based stabilizers and small quantities of water).
Acrylonitrile Production. Acrylonitrile production changed drastically in 1960, when vapor-phase ammoxidation of propylene was first employed commercially. Today, about 90% of Acrylonitrile production is based on this process. However, acrylonitrile may also be manufactured from propane and biomass-derived glycerol. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Acrylonitrile are listed below.
- Propylene + ammonia (ammoxidation),
- Propane + ammonia (ammoxidation)
Acrylonitrile Uses. The uses and applications of Acrylonitrile may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Acrylonitrile are analytical standard (98% minimum purity); technical grade (99% minimum purity); and inhibited (99% minimum purity, 35-45 ppm monomethyl ether hydroquinone inhibitor).
Acrylonitrile is used in the synthesis of acrylic or is copolymerized to yield thermoplastics with interesting properties, such as resistance to light and heat, as well as strength. It is also a chemical intermediate used in the production of acrylic acid, employed as building block for a variety of polymer formulations, nylon intermediate adiponitrile, and acrylamide, which is an intermediate in the production of relevant acrylic esters, such methyl acrylate.