Dimethylformamide (DMF)
DMF, which is our main product, uses methylamine (another of the Group’s secondary products) as a feedstock. DMF has a diversified range of applications. It is in turn used as a feedstock in the production of Polyurethane (“PU”), a key component in the manufacture of consumer goods such as leather products and shoe soles, as well as feedstock in the production for pharmaceutical and agro chemical products. DMF is also a universal industrial solvent that can be used as an absorbing agent mainly in electronics, acrylic fibre and pharmaceutical products.
DMF PRODUCTION PROCESSES
We have a fully integrated production process in our 150,000 tons DMF plant where methylamine manufactured is sold independently as well as used as feedstock in DMF production. This flow-through production process provides operational flexibility, as it allows management to change product mix to suit market conditions. We consistently optimise our cost structure through various measures including minimising transportation costs and ensuring regular supply of our high quality products to the customers.
PU - DMF AS A KEY FEEDSTOCK
One of the most important applications of DMF is its use as a feedstock in the production of PU, an important chemical used in a wide range of consumer related applications. PU products can be found everywhere and is one of the most versatile materials today that offers the elasticity of rubber combined with the toughness and durability of metal. PU absorbs weight, improves durability, enhances insulation in the products and provides added comfort and resiliency.
KEY USES OF PU INCLUDE:
PU is often used for its insulation and cushioning capabilities. Over three quarters of the global consumption of pu products is in the form of foams with flexible and rigid types being roughly equal in market size. Flexible foams are used in the upholstery of commercial and domestic furniture as well as in automobiles, while rigid foams are found on the insides of metal and plastic walls of most refrigerators and freezers; or behind paper, metals and other surface materials in the case of thermal insulation panels in the construction sector.
DMF is commonly used in manufacturing extremely versatile PU elastomers. With the properties of high levels of elasticity, tensile strength, elongation and shock absorbing abilities, it can be used in manufacturing shoe soles.
DMF is also widely used in the manufacture of pu leather, or synthetic leather. Due to its lightweight, classy- looking and comfortable properties, PU leather is easily maintained, water-resistant, abrasion-resistant and can be dry-cleaned. Synthetic leather is a lower cost alternative to real leather that can be used in manufacturing sofas, handbags, shoes and belts.
DMF AS UNIVERSAL SOLVENTS
DMF can be used as an industrial solvent to produce petrochemical products, including butadiene. When combined with other chemicals, end products include synthetic rubber, nylon and automobile tyres. With the surging consumer and industrial demand for petrochemical products in China, large-scale increases in production capacity of petrochemical products are expected in the coming decade.
DMF is also used as an industrial solvent to produce acrylic fibre. Driven by the global fashion market, acrylic fibre has become a lower cost alternative to cashmere due to its similar soft fabric feeling. It is extensively used in knitwear, carpet, toys, blanket and apparel industries. DMF is also used to remove hair from natural leather.
In China, DMF is used as an industrial solvent to produce antibiotics and other type of consumable drugs – new uses of DMF as an ingredient of pharmaceutical products are being developed constantly.
DMF is also used to dissolve the catalyst in the epoxylaminated printed circuit boards (“PCB”) in the electronics industry. Driven by the influx of investment in the electronics sector, along with the rapid development of the communications industry, China is amongst the world’s largest producer of PCB boards, thus demand for DMF in China is expected to remain significant as well.
DMF AS OTHER CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCK
DMF and methylamine, used as chemical feedstock to produce agrochemicals such as fertilisers, soil conditioners, pesticides and antibiotics, are critical to raising crops for food. The PRC Government has pledged to improve the living standards of farmers by increasing local agricultural productivity and new investments in the countryside. The use of agrochemicals in Henan Province, which has one of China’s largest agricultural sectors, is expected to increase in the coming decades due to this initiative.