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Isopropanolamine: Green Chemical Produces Alternative Products
Isopropanolamine and ethanolamine are both alkanolamines, but isopropanolamine offers superior performance and is more environmentally and human-friendly. As a result, it is increasingly being promoted as a green chemical in developed countries, with a growing trend to replace traditional ethanolamine. However, China's isopropanolamine industry started later and still lags behind global leaders. With significant market potential, there is an urgent need to overcome technical and economic barriers to accelerate industry growth.
Environmental concerns have led to restrictions on the use of ethanolamine in many regions. For example, developed countries classify ethanolamine as a hazardous substance under pollution control regulations, limiting its application. In contrast, isopropanolamine has become a preferred alternative in various sectors. In oil refining, diisopropanolamine is widely used for desulfurization due to its better solvent stability and sulfur removal efficiency. In the Middle East, 80% of oil refineries use this compound, and with rising demand for heavy crude oil, the market for isopropanolamine is expected to grow significantly.
In the cement industry, triisopropanolamine has gradually replaced triethanolamine due to its improved dispersion and late strength properties. Major global cement producers like Lafarge have started using it in large-scale production. Additionally, isopropanolamine serves as an additive in biodiesel production, helping to increase alcohol content and reduce costs. With government support for ethanol-blended gasoline, the industry is poised for further expansion.
Rising oil prices and increased demand for ethylene products have driven up ethanolamine prices, narrowing the cost gap with isopropanolamine. This shift has accelerated the substitution process. According to data, global demand for isopropanolamine reached 234,000 tons in 2006, and is projected to reach 500,000 tons within 5–8 years.
Despite its potential, China's isopropanolamine industry faces several challenges. Production technology is largely controlled by multinational firms, while domestic manufacturers struggle with high energy consumption, excessive by-products, and limited scale. Most Chinese companies can only produce one type of isopropanolamine, with Nanjing Hongbaoli Co., Ltd. being a rare exception that produces a full range of products. The company’s 20,000-ton annual capacity project launched in 2006 produced over 8,000 tons of products, demonstrating some progress.
Production methods vary globally: foreign firms mainly use continuous high-pressure processes, while Chinese companies often rely on intermittent low-pressure methods. Nanjing Hongbaoli uses a more advanced supercritical synthesis technique, highlighting the technological gap between China and international standards.
Moreover, the lack of skilled professionals and the nascent state of the domestic market further hinder growth. Currently, only one company in China has a production capacity of 10,000 tons, and the market remains in the early stages of development. Lastly, propylene oxide, which makes up about 80% of the cost, is becoming more expensive due to rising oil prices, adding pressure to production costs.
To fully realize its potential, China must invest in R&D, improve production efficiency, and develop a skilled workforce. With continued policy support and technological advancements, the future of the isopropanolamine industry in China looks promising.