Monoethanolamine price May 2024 and outlook (see chart below)
- North America:US$1.48/KG, unchanged
- Europe:US$1.61/KG, 1.9% up
- Southeast Asia:US$1.19/KG, 1.7% up
- Middle East:US$1.27/KG, 1.6% up
- India:US$1.43/KG, unchanged
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Monoethanolamine index
This post is a summary of the monoethanolamine price developments. The price developments of monoethanolamine are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Monoethanolamine price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.
The outlook for monoethanolamine prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:
- Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers ofmonoethanolamine prices
- Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of monoethanolamine
- Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of monoethanolamine prices
- Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the monoethanolamine market
- Longer term trends in likely demand conditions
Further information on the Monoethanolamine price chart
What is Monoethanolamine
Monoethanolamine (MEA) is an organic compound that is used in a wide range of industrial applications. It is a colorless, viscous liquid with a faint odor of ammonia, and it is soluble in water and most organic solvents.
MEA is a type of ethanolamine, which is a class of organic compounds that contain both an amine functional group (-NH2) and an alcohol functional group (-OH). In the case of MEA, the amine group is attached to a two-carbon chain, while the alcohol group is attached directly to the nitrogen atom.
MEA is widely used as a chemical intermediate in the production of a variety of other chemicals, including surfactants, detergents, and lubricants. It is also used as a gas-scrubbing agent to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from industrial gases, and as a corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids.
MEA has a variety of other applications as well, including as a feedstock for the production of ethyleneamines, which are used in the production of epoxy resins, plasticizers, and other products. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent and in the production of certain drugs. Additionally, MEA is used in the refining of crude oil, and it is used as an absorbent in natural gas processing to remove contaminants like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
How is Monoethanolamine produced
Monoethanolamine (MEA) can be produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia. The process involves the following steps:
Step 1
Ethylene oxide and aqueous ammonia are fed into a reactor vessel. The reaction takes place in the presence of a catalyst, which is typically a metal oxide or hydroxide.
Step 2
The reaction between the ethylene oxide and ammonia produces MEA as well as some by-products. The by-products can include diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), depending on the conditions of the reaction.
Step 3
The product mixture is then separated and purified using a distillation process. The distillation separates the MEA from the by-products and any unreacted starting materials.
Step 4
The purified MEA is then further processed and refined to meet the specific requirements of the intended application.
The production of MEA is typically carried out on a large scale in industrial facilities, using specialized equipment and processes. The overall process is energy-intensive and requires careful control of the reaction conditions to ensure high yields of the desired product.
What drives the cost of Monoethanolamine
The cost of Monoethanolamine (MEA) can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
Feedstock prices
MEA is produced from ethylene oxide and aqueous ammonia, so the cost of these feedstocks can have a significant impact on the overall cost of MEA. The prices of these raw materials can be influenced by factors such as supply and demand, production costs, and geopolitical events.
Energy prices
The production of MEA is an energy-intensive process, so the cost of energy can also have a significant impact on the cost of MEA. Energy costs can be influenced by factors such as supply and demand, global oil and gas prices, and government policies and regulations.
Labor costs
The production of MEA requires skilled workers, and the cost of labor can vary depending on factors such as geographic location, labor regulations, and the availability of skilled workers.
What are the feedstocks of ethylene oxide and aqueous ammonia
Ethylene oxide is typically produced from the oxidation of ethylene with air or oxygen in the presence of a silver-based catalyst. Ethylene is derived from natural gas or crude oil through a refining process.
Aqueous ammonia is a solution of ammonia in water. Ammonia can be produced through the Haber-Bosch process, which involves the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen gas under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst. The hydrogen gas used in the Haber-Bosch process is typically produced from natural gas or other hydrocarbons through a steam reforming process. Nitrogen gas is obtained from the air through a process known as air separation.
What is Monoethanolamine used for
Monoethanolamine (MEA) has a variety of industrial applications, including:
Gas treatment
MEA is commonly used to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas and other industrial gases. MEA is highly effective at absorbing these gases, which can be corrosive or toxic in high concentrations.
Solvent
MEA is used as a solvent in a variety of industrial processes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and personal care products. MEA is a versatile solvent that can dissolve a wide range of organic compounds.
Corrosion inhibitor
MEA is used as a corrosion inhibitor in a variety of applications, including metalworking fluids, coolants, and hydraulic fluids. MEA can help to protect metal surfaces from corrosion and extend the lifespan of equipment.
Emulsifier
MEA is used as an emulsifier in the production of cosmetics, detergents, and other products. MEA can help to stabilize emulsions, which are mixtures of immiscible liquids such as oil and water.
pH adjuster
MEA can be used as a pH adjuster in a variety of industrial processes, including the production of paper, textiles, and leather. MEA can be used to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, which can have a significant impact on the properties of the final product.
What are the specific properties of Monoethanolamine
Monoethanolamine (MEA) has several specific properties that make it useful for various industrial applications:
Solubility
MEA is highly soluble in water, as well as in many organic solvents. This property makes it useful as a solvent, emulsifier, and pH adjuster.
Basicity
MEA is a weak base, which means it can act as a pH adjuster and neutralize acidic compounds.
High boiling point
MEA has a high boiling point of around 170-172°C, which makes it useful for high-temperature applications such as gas treatment.
Hygroscopicity
MEA is hygroscopic, which means it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This property can make MEA useful as a drying agent or as a humidity regulator.
Corrosion inhibition
MEA has the ability to inhibit corrosion of metal surfaces, which makes it useful in metalworking fluids and other applications where corrosion protection is important.
Toxicity
MEA can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in high concentrations, so appropriate safety measures must be taken when handling and using it.
What types of Monoethanolamine are there
There are several types of Monoethanolamine (MEA) based on their purity and the manufacturing process. The most common types of MEA include:
Industrial grade MEA
This is the most widely used type of MEA and is typically produced by reacting ethylene oxide with ammonia. It is used in various applications such as gas treatment, solvents, and as a pH adjuster in various industrial processes.
Laboratory grade MEA
This type of MEA is of higher purity compared to industrial grade MEA and is used in laboratory settings for various research purposes.
Pharmaceutical grade MEA
This type of MEA is of the highest purity and is used in the pharmaceutical industry as an ingredient in various products.
Food grade MEA
This type of MEA is used in the food industry as an ingredient in food processing and preservation.
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) grade MEA
This type of MEA is used specifically for FGD applications in power plants to remove sulfur dioxide from the flue gas.
The purity level of MEA can also vary depending on the intended use, and different grades of MEA may be available within each of these categories.
Which industries use MEA
Monoethanolamine (MEA) is used in a wide variety of industries due to its diverse range of properties and applications. Some of the industries that use MEA include:
Gas treatment
MEA is commonly used in gas treatment applications to remove acid gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other impurities from natural gas and other gases.
Chemical manufacturing
MEA is used as a feedstock in the production of other chemicals such as detergents, lubricants, and corrosion inhibitors.
Agriculture
MEA is used as a herbicide and pesticide in the agriculture industry.
Pharmaceuticals
MEA is used as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and local anesthetics.
Personal care
MEA is used in the formulation of personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, and lotions.
Food processing
MEA is used as an ingredient in food processing to control the pH of certain products.
Textiles
MEA is used as a softener and dye fixative in textile manufacturing.
Oil and gas
MEA is used in the oil and gas industry for drilling and completion fluids.
Water treatment
MEA is used in water treatment processes to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from water.
These are just a few examples of the industries that use MEA. The diverse range of properties of MEA makes it a versatile chemical that is used in many different applications.
How big is the global Monoethanolamine market
The global Monoethanolamine (MEA) market size was valued at approximately USD 3.7 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 5.0% during the forecast period. The increasing demand for MEA from end-use industries such as gas treatment, chemical manufacturing, and personal care products is expected to drive the growth of the MEA market.
MEA is widely used in gas treatment applications to remove impurities such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and other gases. The growing demand for natural gas for power generation and other industrial applications is expected to increase the demand for MEA in the gas treatment industry. Additionally, the increasing demand for personal care products and the growing awareness about personal hygiene and grooming is expected to drive the demand for MEA in the personal care industry.
Geographically, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the MEA market due to the presence of major end-use industries such as chemicals, oil and gas, and personal care in countries such as China and India. The MEA market in North America and Europe is also expected to grow steadily due to the increasing demand for natural gas and the growing awareness about personal hygiene and grooming.
According to https://oec.world/ :
Monoethanolmine, salts are the world’s 3035th most traded product.
In 2020, the top exporters of Monoethanolmine, salts were Saudi Arabia ($106M), United States ($59.6M), Germany ($54M), Belgium ($21.9M), and Malaysia ($17.2M).
In 2020, the top importers of Monoethanolmine, salts were Belgium ($60.8M), China ($34.9M), Canada ($32.3M), South Korea ($20.7M), and India ($20M).
Further information
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