Abstract
Global production and consumption of acetic acid in 2007 was approximately 10.7 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 92% in 2007; this was a slight decline from 2006 due to a larger increase in capacity than consumption. Global acetic acid consumption is estimated to have increased by 5.2% in 2007, and global consumption is expected to increase by 3.8% per year from 2007 to 2012, declining to 3.1% per year from 2012 to 2017. As a result of considerable capacity additions, utilization rates are expected to decline to the low-80s range by 2010, gradually increasing thereafter.
Vinyl acetate accounted for almost 33% of global acetic acid consumption in 2007, followed by terephthalic acid (TPA), acetic anhydride and acetate esters.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of acetic acid by end use:
