Published August 1976
In this report, updated costs are presented for: terephthalic acid (TPA) made from p-xylene by bromine-promoted catalytic air oxidation; dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) made by esterifying crude TPA; and DMT made from p-xylene by successive oxidations and esterifications. These updated costs reflect the changes brought about by inflation and technological improvements or changes in our concept of the processes. With regard to new processes, the report includes an evaluation of a commercial process for TPA developed by Maruzen and Matsuyama (the latter a joint venture of Maruzen and Kanebo) and a process for TPA (terephthalonitrile as an intermediate) proposed by Lunnnus several years ago. We have also evalu- ated a speculative process for coproducing DMT and TPA in a successive oxidations and esterifications type of process.
Over the years, either in our initial report on TPA/DMT (issued in 1966) or in Supplements A or B, we have evaluated a number of processes for the manufacture of TPA and DMT. Of those that were not in commercial use at the time, none has been practiced commercially, as yet. Of those that were commercial, those that we have updated for this report now account for more than 70% of the world capacity for TPA/DMT. In some of our previous reports on TPA and DMT, we have evaluated the manufacture of bis(Z-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate. However, in the future, this chemical may be included as part of our supplements on polyethylene terephthalate.
In addition to the process evaluations, this report contains reviews of patents on the various aspects of manufacturing TPA and DMT. The report also includes a section on chemistry and a section on industry status.
Other PEP Related Reports:
