DMF in China
2 Jan 2003
Mitsubishi Rayon, the Jiangsu Xinya Chemical Group, Sinochem Japan and Mitsubishi are to form a joint-venture company that will produce and sell methylamine (MA) and its derivative dimethylformamide (DMF).
Based in the city of Changzhou, Jiangsu, the new company, which will be named at a later date, will be funded with a total investment of approximately $20 million.
MA is used in the manufacture of surfactants, flocculants, and agricultural chemicals, and its derivative DMF is used widely as a solvent in the manufacture of synthetic leather, pharmaceuticals, and electronic materials.
China is the greatest consumer of DMF, using 35% or more of the world's supply (approximately 360,000 tons) annually for the manufacture of synthetic leather items such as shoes, belts, and briefcases.
In recent years, China's consumption has been rising sharply at an annual rate of 8 to 10%.
