Product Profile Monochloroacetic acid (MCA) is the organochlorine compound with the formula ClCH2CO2H. This carboxylic acid is a useful building-block in organic synthesis. Monochloroacetic acid, commonly abbreviated MCA or MCAA, is a colourless crystalline solid. It can exist in four crystal forms, each with a different melting point. MCA is a reactive compound that can undergo various reactions to form a number of intermediates. Product characteristics Appearance : White Deliquescent Crystals Molecular formula : C2H3O2Cl Melting point : 61.0 degree celcius Purity (%) : Min. 99.0 Applications Monochloroacetic Acid is used as a versatile intermediate in the manufacturing of various Agrochemicals viz; 2, 4-D, Glyphosate etc. It is widely used as a main raw material for various pharmaceuticals viz. Ibuprofen, Dichlofenac etc. & in the manufacturing of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose. MCAA is an intermediate for multi step production for herbicide industry, detergent industry, oil industry, paper industry, cosmetic industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry, construction material industry etc. Production Process The production of monochloro acetic acid was 706,000 tonnes/year in 2010, of which over half is produced in China. Other countries with significant production capacity are Germany (105,000), the Netherlands (100,000), India (>65,000), and the United States (55,000). Processes Chloroacetic acid is prepared industrially via two routes. The predominant method involves chlorination of acetic acid: CH3CO2H + Cl2 ? ClCH2CO2H + HCl Acetic anhydride serves as a catalyst for this reaction. The other main industrial route to chloroacetic acid is hydrolysis of trichloroethylene using sulfuric acid as a catalyst: CCl2CHCl + 2 H2O ? ClCH2CO2H + 2 HCl The hydrolysis method produces a highly pure product, which can be important since mono-, di- and trichloroacetic acids are difficult to separate by distillation. Approximately, 420,000,000 kg/y are produced globally. Market scenario Global MCA market, is estimated at 650 000 metric tonnes per annum. Mono chloro acetic acid market in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of approximately 4.25%. Worldwide demand for the monochloroacetic acid is expected to grow at the rate of 2% annually but demand for the highest purity is expected to grow at the rate of 6-8%. Global merchant capacity of MCAA was estimated at 400 KT in 2006 with the further 180 KT assumed to be captive. The monochloroacetic acid market will continue to be driven by the Chinese market. Monochloroacetic acid use for glycine production constitutes the largest market, with 62% of monochloroacetic acid demand. Glycine is used to produce glyphosate, an herbicide used worldwide.