In recent years, the domestic acrylic market has experienced significant growth, driven largely by the rapid expansion of the acrylic deep-processing industry and the increasing demand for acrylic acid derivatives. Particularly, the acrylate application market has seen substantial development, contributing to the overall popularity of acrylic products.
In 2004, China produced 170,000 tons of acrylic acid and imported an additional 114,000 tons. Of this total, approximately 172,000 tons were used in the production of general-purpose acrylates, making up 60.6% of total consumption. Special acrylates accounted for about 28,000 tons, or 9.7%, while polymers and other products consumed 29.7% of the total.
The rise in demand for specialty acrylates has been fueled by the growth of the coating industry and advancements in radiation curing technologies. Globally, specialty acrylates production increased from 66,000 tons in 1988 to 180,000 tons in 2003, reflecting an annual growth rate of over 10%.
Currently, more than 30 companies in China are involved in the production of specialty acrylates, with a combined annual capacity of 80,400 tons. In 2004, the country’s output reached 91,590 tons, including 27,350 tons of various specialty acrylate monomers.
Radiation curing remains the primary consumer of specialty acrylates. Historically, this market was concentrated in Europe and North America, but recently, China has emerged as a key player, driving growth in the Asian market. In 2004, China produced 32,600 tons of radiation curing products, consuming 29,300 tons of specialty acrylates. Globally, UV curing products account for 95% of the market, with only 5% being electron beam (EB) curing products. However, China currently lacks EB curing production lines, and all radiation curing products are UV-based.
In 2004, 77 companies in China produced a total of 32,599 tons of UV curing products. Among these, UV curable coatings were the most widely produced, with 44 companies manufacturing 23,300 tons. UV curing inks followed closely, with 35 companies producing 9,058 tons in that year—showing a nearly sixfold increase since 1999, making it the fastest-growing segment. UV curing adhesives, on the other hand, are still in earlier stages of development, with only 10 companies producing 242 tons of products in 2004. These adhesives are used in various applications, including medical instruments, optical devices, glass, and fishing gear.
Although China's radiation curing industry has grown rapidly, it still lags behind developed regions like Europe, the U.S., and Japan in terms of technological advancement and product diversity. Many Chinese companies lack strong R&D capabilities and have limited high-end products, especially those with independent intellectual property. Meanwhile, foreign markets have already commercialized advanced products such as waterborne UV coatings, powder UV coatings, and dual-curing systems. As a result, the potential for growth in China's radiation curing sector remains vast.
It is estimated that by 2009, China's radiation curing product output will reach 60,000 tons, requiring approximately 54,000 tons of specialty acrylates. This highlights the ongoing importance of the acrylate market and the need for continued investment and innovation in the industry.
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