Acrylic acid has served, for more than 30 years, as an essential building block in the production of some of our most commonly used industrial and consumer products. Approximately two-thirds of the acrylic acid manufactured is used to produce acrylic esters - methyl acrylates, butyl acrylates, ethyl acrylates, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylates - which, when polymerized are ingredients in paints, coatings, textiles, adhesives, plastics, and many other applications. The remaining one-third of the acrylic acid is used to produce polyacrylic acid, or crosslinked polyacrylic acid compounds, which have been successfully, used in the manufacture of hygienic products, detergents, and wastewater treatment chemicals. The largest application for acrylates esters is the production of surface coatings (48%), followed by adhesives and sealants (21%), plastic additives and comonomers (12%), paper coatings, and textiles and surface coatings account for 55% of acrylates ester consumption. Acrylic acid and esters are perhaps the most versatile series of monomers for providing performance characteristics to thousands of polymer formulations. Incorporation of varying percentages of acrylates monomers permits the production of thousands of formulations for latex and solution copolymers, copolymer plastics and cross-linkable polymer systems. Their performance characteristics—which impart varying degrees of tackiness, durability, hardness and glass transition temperatures—promote consumption in many end-use applications. The world acrylic acid business is characterized by the involvement of a relatively few major players who have both globalized and set up a range of strategic alliances, joint ventures and new integrated companies. According to the leading suppliers of acrylic acid, the annual demand growth will stay at the level of 5% in the coming years. However, according some experts, this growth by 2009 may be lower, not more than 3.5% per annum. Glacial acrylic acid is used in the manufacture of super absorbing polymers (SAP), which account for 32% of the global demand for acrylic acid. They predict the following demand growth figures for various segments of acrylic acid consumption: 3.6% per year for acrylates and 5% per year for super absorbent. The global market is set to continue to grow in excess of 3%/year, pulled by Asia, China, and India in particular. The Middle East and Africa are also showing firm growth rates. Global demand growth is forecast at 4.8%/year to 2010. Regionally, consumption will rise by 10%/year in Asia-Pacific, 5%/year in Africa, 6%/year in Asia and the Middle East, 4%/year in Australia, New Zealand and eastern Europe, 3%/year in Americas and western Europe, and 1%/year in Japan. Looking at the growing market demand, new entrepreneurs should venture into this field. Few Major players are as under: Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. Vadodara Mahalaxmi Dyes & Chemicals Ltd. Mumbai Rusan Pharma Ltd. Mumbai S M Z S Chemicals Ltd. Mumbai Shubham Chemicals & Solvents Ltd. North Delhi