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N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF; HCON[CH3]2) is a clear, colorless, mobile liquid
that is used primarily as a dipolar aprotic solvent. It is commercially available
as >99% assay product. It is miscible with water in all proportions and
is a powerful solvent for a variety of organic, inorganic and resin products.
DMF is classified as a class II combustible liquid; it is quite biodegradable
and can be disposed of using acclimated bacteria or in a licensed incinerator.
Most DMF is consumed as a solvent in chemical production.
The world DMF market continues to be oversupplied; capacity commissioned during
2005–2007 has exacerbated this situation further. A significant level
of DMF capacity was commissioned during 2004–2007, nearly exclusively
in China. As a result, existing current (early 2008) capacity is more than
sufficient to meet world demand for the next five to ten years. Although plans
to increase capacity exist, especially in the Middle East, the additional volumes
announced are far less than the capacity added during 2004–2007. Nonetheless,
it is expected that several older and less efficient plants will be removed
from the market, helping producers to regain profit margins. Additionally,
some announced projects are at risk of being canceled or delayed because of
market conditions, project costs or labor costs.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of dimethylformamide:
Consumption of DMF in synthetic/artificial leather, particularly in China,
is expected to result in significant increases in world consumption, in terms
of volume and annual growth rates. Unlike most other markets, demand for DMF
in Asia, mainly China, is forecast to exhibit rapid growth in most applications.
The shift in world production of synthetic/artificial leather and acrylic fibers
to China will result in negative growth for these two applications in many
markets. |
