Phthalic Anhydride Production To Move Toward Sustainability

Phthalic anhydride is an organic compound and the first anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid to be used commercially. Phthalic anhydride is a toxic, colorless, white crystalline compound that is used in the large-scale production of plasticizers for plastics. Moreover, it is used for the manufacturing of phthalein and other dyes, insecticides, and resins.

The primary use of phthalic anhydride in the chemical industry is in the production of plastics from vinyl chloride. According to Allied Market Research, the phthalic anhydride market is expected to reach $5.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2021 to 2030. Rise in use of phthalic anhydride in manufacturing of plasticizers and alkyd resin, increase in consumption of alkyd resin in the paints & coatings industry, and extensive properties of phthalic anhydride drive the growth of the market.

India to become a prime market for phthalic anhydride

Recently, KLJ Plasticizers Ltd., Indian chemical company announced to build a greenfield 200,000 tons/year phthalic anhydride plant in Western Gujarat state. The company is expected to begin operations in 2024 and will produce 7,100 tons/year maleic anhydride and 480,000 tons/year of other plasticizers. According to the company’s surveys, India has major potential in the domestic market for phthalic anhydride and a range of products that aim to produce. Moreover, the company aims to market the product internationally.

Similarly, Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd. announced its plan to build a project that manufactures 180,000 tons/year of phthalic anhydride and 300,000 tons/year of Fine & Specialty Chemicals at Gujarat. The company expects to develop the projects in two phases and complete the first phase within two years of receipt of approval. The company would source raw materials locally within Gujarat and would target to market the finished products at large West and North Indian parts.

Eco-friendly production of phthalic anhydride

For years, phthalic anhydride is used for a variety of applications ranging from the plastic industry to the synthesis of resins and pesticides for the agricultural industry. Its production is based on vapor phase oxidation of o-xylene and naphthalene, which uses a large number of fossil fuels and petrochemicals. Moreover, it leads to oil depletion concerns. Thus, researchers have been searching for a bio-based route to produce phthalic anhydride. One of the eco-friendly ways of synthesizing phthalic anhydride is the valorization of all carbohydrate-rich fractions that are available in the biomass. This could be an ideal way to scalable the production of phthalic anhydride at high yields. The process involves two steps including Diels–Alder cycloaddition of furan and maleic anhydride and dehydration of the oxanorbornene dicarboxylic anhydride. The process is kinetically self-limiting and can be used for dehydration of oxanorbornene dicarboxylic anhydrides and for conversion to aromatics from furans.

Given the large-scale production of phthalic anhydride across the globe and its harmful effects on the environment, the demand for sustainable production of phthalic anhydride has increased. The sustainable production of phthalic anhydride is correlated to economically sound processes that reduce negative environmental impacts and attract more customers. Thus, in the future, sustainable production of phthalic anhydride would gain traction.

Related Post