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 Lucite MMA

Lucite® Methyl Methacrylate

MMA

Lucite International is the world's leading producer of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and the only producer to have production facilities in the three major economic regions of Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US.

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is the building block for many products. It polymerises easily to form resins and polymers of excellent transparency, strength and outdoor durability and can be co-polymerised with other monomers to form a broader range of products typically used for paints and coatings. It is also polymerised into a solid form for use in items such as vehicle tail lights, signs, point-of-sale displays, mirrors, baths, spas and work surfaces, blood cuvettes, computer housings and screens.

The unique and cost effective recycling capability of methacrylates also enables us to provide an enviromentally attractive proposition.

We also manufacture a variety of other functional monomers (Specialties).

Whilst there are many well-established uses for MMA, Lucite International is involved in new application innovation. The environmental trend to replace solvent borne coatings in automotive OEM, vehicle refinish, residential and decorative paints is an ideal platform for methacrylates. Other growth areas include solid surfaces primarily for kitchens and bathrooms, veneers, LCD display units, computers, mobile phones, and vinyl sidings/capstock in the USA.

Lucite International manufactures MMA from acetone cyanohydrin (ACH), the most widely used commercial process. This has advantages in both scale and lower capital intensity compared to the C4-based process. The ACH route uses acetone, methanol, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) and natural gas as its raw materials.

Handling materials like hydrocyanic acid (HCN) requires considerable safety expertise, an area in which Lucite International has many years of experience and a strong reputation. Safety and care for the environment are at the core of Lucite International culture and earn it the reputation as a leader in the field.

The new, patented 'Alpha' MMA technology will change the landscape of the acrylics industry and will be the benchmark against which all new capacity plans will have to be measured by all in the market.

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