Published July 2022
Vinyl acetate (VAM) is a colorless, flammable, volatile liquid with a boiling point of 72–73°C. Practically all use is as a vinyl monomer to produce polyvinyl acetate homopolymers and copolymers. The homopolymers and copolymers are often further reacted to produce derivatives such as polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene–vinyl alcohol.
Sales in the primary end-use markets for vinyl acetate—paints, adhesives, textiles, and safety glass sheet for automotive and architectural applications—depend on the performance of the general economy.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of vinyl acetate:
The vinyl acetate industry is an oligopoly—that is, a market with a limited number of producers, because of the high market-entry barriers of high capital costs and limited process technologies.
Globalization continues, with production capacity being added in mainland China. VAM demand is consolidating and has shifted to mainland China and other Asian markets, although the United States and Western Europe remain large markets.
Consumption of vinyl acetate is driven largely by its use in polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol. Growth in the consumption of VAM for polyvinyl acetate is expected to be more robust from 2021 to 2026 after a modest decline during 2016–21. Demand for polyvinyl alcohol will follow the same trend, and is expected to be higher in 2026 than in 2021. Demand for vinyl acetate in ethylene–vinyl acetate is increasing more rapidly.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Vinyl Acetate is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
Key benefits
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Vinyl Acetate has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.
This report can help you
- Identify trends and driving forces influencing chemical markets
- Forecast and plan for future demand
- Understand the impact of competing materials
- Identify and evaluate potential customers and competitors
- Evaluate producers
- Track changing prices and trade movements
- Analyze the impact of feedstocks, regulations, and other factors on chemical profitability
