Abstract

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is the monomer used to make high-value acrylic polymers and resins. Probably the best known example is PerspexTM. Lucite International has invented, patented and commercialised a completely new process for manufacturing MMA from commodity feed-stocks. The new process overcomes many of the limitations of traditional processes: no longer are high-priced, limited-availability feed stocks and highly toxic intermediates required, the new process has better raw material efficiencies than existing process and its environmental footprint is significantly reduced.

The presentation will give background on MMA and its applications and describe the development of the new process including two new catalytic reaction steps, novel separations and the methodology that allowed the process to be scaled from a micro-pilot plant (4tpa) to a world-scale plant of 120ktpa in a single step.