Phosphorus – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the fifteenth in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on phosphorus.  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.  The last blog in this series will compare price, production, and sales data for all the chemicals. 

Uses.  Uses of phosphorus include:

Ø  To produce phosphoric acid, from which fertilizers, animal supplements, and food additives are made (90 to 95% of phosphorus use);  and

Ø  As elemental phosphorus, in such uses as making organophosphorus compounds (especially pesticides), in metallurgy, and for pyrotechnic applications (e.g., in matches, fireworks, and incendiary devices) (5 to 10% of phosphorus use).

Phosphorus is highly reactive and not found in elemental form in nature, but in combination with other elements as phosphorous rock. 

Prices.  An average 2019 global phosphorus price is estimated to be $85 per metric ton (mt).       

Production.  Phosphorus rock, the source of all phosphorus, is surface-mined.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of phosphorus is 240 million mt.  Using 240 million mt and an average per mt price of $85 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by phosphorus in 2019 of $20.4 billion (240 million mt times $85 per mt).

In an earlier blog on the uses, prices, and production of phosphoric acid (click here to read that blog), the 2019 estimated revenues generated by phosphorus acid is $35 billion.  Since all phosphoric acid is made from phosphorus, this suggests that the gross profit margin % for phosphoric acid sales is in the range of 45 to 48%.  {Gross profit margin % = gross profit (sales less cost of sales) divided by sales} (Based only on the cost of phosphorus without including other cost of sales, such as sulfuric acid use and reducing the phosphorus sales amounts by elemental phosphorus sales amounts).   This good gross profit margin percentage is an indication of the value added by chemical processing (converting phosphate rock into phosphoric acid by using sulfuric acid).

Ethanoic Acid (Acetic Acid) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the fourteenth in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on ethanoic acid (acetic acid).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.  The last blog in this series will compare price, production, and sales data for all the chemicals. 

Uses.  Uses of acetic acid include:

Ø  As a starting material (chemical agent) in making: vinyl acetate monomer; acetic anhydride; terephthalic acid; and acetates;

Ø  In the food industry, dissolved in water at low concentrations (known as vinegar), for its taste and preservation capabilities; and

Ø  For health (medical) applications.

As a chemical agent:

·         Approximately 35% is used to make vinyl acetate monomer, from which polyvinyl acetates are produced and used in paints and adhesives;

·         Approximately 25 to 30% is used to make acetic anhydride, from which cellulose acetate film is made;

·         Approximately 20% is used to make terephthalic acid, from which polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles are made; and

·         Approximately 15 to 20% is used to make ethyl, n-butyl, and other acetates, which are used as solvents in inks and coatings.

The rest (5 to 10%) of produced acetic acid is used for other purposes, e.g., in the food and medical industries.

Prices.  An average 2019 global acetic acid price range is estimated to be $500 to $600 per metric ton (mt).           

Production.  Acetic acid is primarily produced by reacting methanol with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of acetic acid is from 15 to 16 million mt.  Using this range (15 to 16 million mt produced) and an average per mt price range of $500 to $600 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by acetic acid in 2019 of $7.5 to $9.6 billion (15 to 16 million mt times $500 to $600 per mt).

Ethane-1,2-diol (Ethylene Glycol) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the thirteenth in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.

Uses.  Uses of ethylene glycol include:

Ø  As a raw material in manufacture of polyester fibers, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (85%);

Ø  As an antifreeze (8-10%); and

Ø  Other (e.g., as a coolant and heat transfer agent; as a de-icing fluid; as a water absorber; as a gas hydrate inhibitor; as a paint solvent; and in printing inks (5-7%).

Prices.  An average 2019 global ethylene glycol price range is estimated to be $1,500 to $1,800 per metric ton (mt).   

Production.  Ethylene glycol is primarily obtained by the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of ethylene glycol is from 26 to 28 million mt.  Using this range (26 to 28 million mt produced) and an average per mt price range of $1,500 to $1,800 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by ethylene glycol in 2019 of $39 to $50.4 billion (26 to 28 million mt times $1,500 to $1,800 per mt).

Epoxyethane (Ethylene Oxide) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the twelfth in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on epoxyethane (ethylene oxide).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.

Uses.  Uses of ethylene oxide include:

Ø  As an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals such as: ethylene glycols; ethylene glycol ethers; ethanol amines; ethoxylates; polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate); and polyurethanes; and

Ø  To sterilize, disinfect, and/or fumigant medical, food, and other items.

Chemicals using ethylene oxide in their production are used to make: construction and building materials; forms; plasticizers; bottles; surfactants; solvents; lubricants; anti-icing materials; anti-freezing materials; engine coolants; heat transfer fluids; cleaning materials; and personal care products.

Prices.  An average 2019 global ethylene oxide price range is estimated to be $1,000 to $1,300 per metric ton (mt).   

Production.  Ethylene oxide is primarily obtained by the oxidation of ethylene in the presence of silver catalyst.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of ethylene oxide is from 28 to 30 million mt.  Using this range (28 to 30 million mt produced) and an average per mt price range of $1,000 to $1,300 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by ethylene oxide in 2019 of $28 to $39 billion (28 to 30 million mt times $1,000 to $1,300 per mt).

Buta-1,3-diene (Butadiene) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the eleventh in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on buta-1,3-diene (butadiene).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.

Uses.  Uses of butadiene include:

Ø  As a starting material in the manufacture of several polymers such as: polybutadiene, poly-chloroprene (neoprene), and nitrile butadiene;

Ø  In the manufacture of polyamides; and

Ø  In the manufacture of styrene-butadiene latex.

These chemicals are used in such products as: tires; gloves; foams; hoses; gaskets; seals; nylons; adhesives; and binders.

Prices.  An average 2019 global butadiene price range is estimated to be $500 per metric ton (mt).          

Production.  Butadiene is primarily obtained as a co-product from the breaking down, using thermal cracking, of complex hydrocarbons in petroleum and in natural gas.  Then pure butadiene is distilled out of the results of this process.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of butadiene is 14 million mt.  Using 14 million mt produced and an average per mt price of $500 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by butadiene in 2019 of $7 billion (14 million mt times $500 per mt).