The development of chlor-alkali industry drives the expansion of pesticide intermediates

In recent years, the domestic chlor-alkali industry has been developing rapidly. By the end of 2009, China's production capacity was approximately 25 million tons per year, and the production capacity of chlor-alkali and nearly twenty chlorine products was The output ranks first in the world. According to incomplete statistics, at present, the capacity of equipment that is being built and planned to be completed in the next two years in China is more than 4 million tons. Chlor-alkali production capacity has grown rapidly. In order to balance, caustic soda and hydrogen, the industry chain has been extended. Many companies or peripheral companies have accelerated the pace of the construction of organic intermediates containing chlorine, which has effectively stimulated the expansion of production capacity of pesticide intermediates. On the one hand, it provides sufficient quality and cheap raw materials for downstream pesticides; on the other hand, it provides certain opportunities for the construction of pesticide plants and seeking for the merger and reorganization of upstream and downstream industries. The following introduces the installation, capacity expansion, and market supply of important chlorine-containing pesticide intermediates in recent years for reference by the pesticide industry.

Chlorinated benzene/nitrochlorobenzene, with domestic production capacity of 50/58 million tons in 2008, Luzhou First Chemical Co., Ltd. added 4/60,000 tons/year of equipment in 2009; Ningxia Huayu Chemical is building 4/6 in Zhongwei, Ningxia. 10,000 tons/year of equipment; Jiangsu Yabang will build 8/120,000 tons/year of equipment in Lianyungang Fine Chemical Park and is expected to put into production in 2011; Yangnong will build 8/120,000 tons/year of equipment in Ningxia. The total domestic production capacity in 2011 will reach 74/94 million tons, which will increase the promotion of pesticides and intermediates carbendazim, o-phenylenediamine, p-chloroaniline, m-nitrochlorobenzene, o-chloroaniline, o-nitrophenol, Development of products such as p-nitrophenol and sodium p-nitrophenolate.

Dichlorobenzene, with a domestic production capacity of 100,000 tons in 2008. In the past two years, Shandong Dacheng Co., Ltd. added 20,000 tons/year of equipment; Huaiyin Jiacheng built 10,000 tons/year of equipment in Surabaya, Jiangsu; and Henan Wuke Biochemical Construction 1 10,000 tons/year device; Henan Gongyi Xingfa Chemical Co., Ltd. builds 10,000 tons/year of equipment; Fuyang adds 5,000 tons/year of equipment. The total domestic production capacity in 2011 will reach 155,000 tons, and a breakthrough will be achieved in the domestic synthesis technology, especially the separation of high-quality o-dichlorobenzene, for a number of pesticides and their intermediates such as 34-dichloroaniline, 34-dichlorophenylisocyanate. 3-Chloro-4-methoxy nitrobenzene, 24-dichlorobromobenzene, 3-chloro-4-fluoro nitrobenzene provide inexpensive raw materials.

Chlorotoluene, with a production capacity of 120,000 tons in 2008, Danyang Zhongchao will build a new 40,000-ton/year plant in Zhenjiang Industrial Park in 2010; Zhejiang Yonghua will add 10,000 tons/year capacity. The total domestic production capacity in 2011 will reach 170,000 tons. Chlorotoluene can be used to derive nearly 100 pesticide intermediates and dozens of highly effective and low-toxic fluorine- and chlorine-containing pesticides, among which are the top ten pesticides, two fungicides and one of the top ten global sales. Herbicides are synthesized from chlorotoluene base materials.

Chloroacetic acid, with a domestic production capacity of 550,000 tons in 2008, an increase of more than 400,000 tons from the 130,000 tons in 2004. In recent years, in order to provide competitiveness, many companies have expanded their production scale and are expected to reach 700,000 tons in 2011/ Year or so. Chloroacetic acid can synthesize more than twenty kinds of common insecticides, weed killers and plant production regulators. Among them, the herbicide glyphosate, which has the largest sales volume in the world, is mainly used as a raw material for production.

Phosphorus oxychloride, with a domestic production capacity of 400,000 tons in 2008. In recent years, more than a dozen companies such as Shandong Murray, Lianyungang Liben, Jiujiang New Kangda, Anqing Anjiang, Anhui Huaxing, Hebei Bawei, Hubei Taisheng, etc. Enterprises newly build production facilities, and many new installations have a capacity of 50,000 tons/year or more. It is expected that the domestic production capacity will be rapidly expanded to 800,000 tons in 2011. 

In addition, chloracetyl chloride, thionyl chloride, dimethyl sulfoxide, benzyl chloride, cyanuric chloride, chloropyridine, sodium chloropyridinate, monochlorobenzene, chlorophenol, etc. The surge is surging, and some varieties have doubled in capacity in the past three years.

The development of the chlor-alkali industry has stimulated an upsurge in the construction of chlorine-containing pesticide intermediates, and provided sufficient raw materials for the development of domestic pesticides. At the same time, the merger and reorganization of pesticide companies with upstream intermediate companies is one of the approaches for industrial restructuring during the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period.