Phthalic anhydride is the organic compound with the formula C6H4 (CO) 2O. It is the anhydride of phthalic acid. Phthalic anhydride is a principal commercial form of phthalic acid. It was the first anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid to be used commercially. This colourless solid is an important industrial chemical, especially for the large-scale production of plasticizers for plastics. In 2000, the worldwide production volume was estimated to be about 3 million tonnes per year.
Phthalic anhydride (PA) is a white crystalline compound used to manufacture plasticizers, pigments, dyes and resins. One major consumer of PA is the phthalate plasticiser industry, the products of which are used to produce flexible plastic products such as wire & cable applications, hoses, pipes, coated fabrics, roofing membranes and swimming pool liners.
The global phthalic anhydride market is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.27% owing to an increase in the utilization of plasticizers, which is used in the production of polyvinyl chloride in the Asia-Pacific region. The growing demand for glass fiber reinforced plastics in various industries is also likely to stimulate the phthalic anhydride market during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific is leading in the consumption of phthalic anhydride and is likely to continue its position due to increasing construction and automotive manufacturing activities in the region. The developing countries in this region will drive the demand for the market as the demand for buildings catering to education, healthcare, and social infrastructure is increasing.
Some of the major players operating in the global phthalic anhydride market are BASF SE (Germany), Hongxin Chemical (China), NAN YA PLASTICS CORPORATION (Taiwan), ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.), AEKYUNG PETROCHEMICAL Co., Ltd (Republic of Korea), I G Petrochemicals Limited (India), Polynt SPA (Italy), Koppers Inc. (U.S.), Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals Co. Inc. (Japan), and UPC Group (Taiwan).