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The C1-C6 alkyl monoamines are important and well-established building blocks for several industrial products. Each individual amine has its own set of applications, with the most important applications including the manufacture of pesticides, solvents, water treatment chemicals, and rubber processing chemicals. These monoamines are mostly produced from ammonia and an alcohol. This report includes the following products:
- Methylamines (C1)
- Ethylamines (C2)
- Propylamines and isopropylamines (C3)
- n-Butylamines and isobutylamines (C4)
- Amylamines (C5)
- Cyclohexylamines (C6)
China is the largest consumer of C1-C6 alkylamines, mainly dimethylamine for DMF (dimethylformamide) because it has a large synthetic/artificial leather (polyurethane-based) market—an application that is comparatively miniscule in most other regions. Consumption of DMF in electronics, mainly in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, is a large market in Asia, especially Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and Japan. As a result, Asia accounted for over half of world consumption of C1-C6 alkylamines in 2007. China is forecast to remain the largest market for C1-C6 alkylamines in 2012; demand for solvents, rubber processing chemicals, pesticides and choline chloride (a feed additive) will experience rapid growth.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of C1-C6 alkylamines:
Consumption of C1-C6 alkylamines fluctuates annually, especially as related to demand for pesticides, which varies depending on weather and planted acreage. Some C1-C6 alkylamines, such as isopropylamine, have large export volumes. However, international trade is not a major factor; world exports accounted for only 10–15% of production in 2007. Several C1-C6 alkylamine derivatives have substantial export volumes.
Lower capital costs and a large market have made China the top choice for additional investment/capacity. However, after expanding derivative capacities during 2005–2007, Chinese capacity is expected to increase slightly during 2007–2012. This is expected to help balance the world market.
The market is at risk for consolidation. Additional planned capacity, if commissioned during 2008–2012, will likely result in the shutdown of older, less efficient plants. Areas at risk for plant shutdowns or reduced production include North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, some announced projects are at risk of being cancelled or delayed as a result of market conditions, project costs or labor costs.
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