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Between 2002 and 2005, consumption of hydrogen cyanide in the United States,
Western Europe and Japan increased over 2.5% per year. Consumption is expected
to increase at an average rate of around 2.2% per year from 2005 through 2010.
Major end uses for hydrogen cyanide include acetone cyanohydrin, adiponitrile,
sodium cyanide, methionine, cyanuric chloride and chelating agents. Most hydrogen
cyanide is consumed at its production site. There is no trade in hydrogen cyanide.
The following pie chart shows consumption of hydrogen cyanide by end use in
the three major regions:
In 2005, thirty companies operated 45 hydrogen cyanide production facilities
in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. Total capacity in these areas
was about 1.8 million metric tons. Direct production accounts for 75% of total
capacity and the balance is coproduct material from acrylonitrile production.
Total world capacity for hydrogen cyanide is slightly higher than 1.8 million
metric tons.
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