1 Introduction
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With the development of the plastics industry, new types of additives are constantly emerging, such as anti-reflection, infrared blockers, light-transfer agents (for
agricultural film anti-fog). In addition, the voice of nontoxic and harmless additives
is getting higher and higher. However, China’s plastics auxiliaries industry is relatively backward, the varieties are monotonous and there are many old products. The
special materials market is almost completely occupied by imported products. At
present, the additives produced by using oils and fats as raw materials are limited to
heat stabilizers, filler modifiers and lubricants. The output is also less than one-tenth
of the total output of the additive. Obviously, China’s auxiliaries industry has a long
way to go compared with the fast-growing plastics industry. This also means that
the oleochemical industry can add brilliance to the plastics auxiliaries industry and
make new contributions.
➃ Rubber Industry
In 1997, the world’s rubber consumption reached 17 million tons (63% synthetic
rubber, 37% natural rubber), with an annual growth rate of 2–3%. The same year
tire production reached 10.7 billion, with 17 million pairs of rubber shoes. In 1999,
China’s rubber consumption was 2.5 million tons, according to the second place in
the world. But the output is only 1.15 million tons. The self-sufficiency rate is only
45%. Due to the rapid development of the automobile, home appliance, construction
and other industries, the Chinese rubber industry is still facing excellent development
opportunities. It is estimated that the annual growth rate will remain at 5–7% in the
coming period.
Rubber auxiliaries: According to the purpose of use, rubber auxiliaries are divided
into four categories: vulcanization accelerators, anti-aging agents, filling and reinforcing agents, and processing auxiliaries. The current demand for rubber auxiliaries
is around 70,000 tons, with an average growth of nearly 3.6% in 5 years. In 1997, the
output of auxiliaries in China was 90,100 tons, including 51,300 tons of accelerators
and 30,400 tons of anti-aging agents. The bulk additives have formed an oversupply
situation.
In the rubber industry, the application of oleochemicals includes vulcanization
accelerators, reinforcing agents, dispersing agents and plasticizers. They are used
much less than plastic auxiliaries. At present, as the application fields of rubber
products continue to expand, the research and development of new products including additives are very active. For example, nano-grade rubber particles, rubber and
inorganic ceramic composite wear-resistant lining, safety tires that can still operate
under deflation and development of special rubber capable of absorbing light, electricity, magnetism and heat. Requirements are opening up new opportunities for the
application of oil deep processing products.
➄ Inorganic filler industry
Inorganic fillers are widely used in the plastics, rubber, paper, paint, ink and other
industries. In addition to reducing production costs, they also give the product a
variety of properties. According to reports, the average growth rate of fillers for
35
With the development of the plastics industry, new types of additives are constantly emerging, such as anti-reflection, infrared blockers, light-transfer agents (for
agricultural film anti-fog). In addition, the voice of nontoxic and harmless additives
is getting higher and higher. However, China’s plastics auxiliaries industry is relatively backward, the varieties are monotonous and there are many old products. The
special materials market is almost completely occupied by imported products. At
present, the additives produced by using oils and fats as raw materials are limited to
heat stabilizers, filler modifiers and lubricants. The output is also less than one-tenth
of the total output of the additive. Obviously, China’s auxiliaries industry has a long
way to go compared with the fast-growing plastics industry. This also means that
the oleochemical industry can add brilliance to the plastics auxiliaries industry and
make new contributions.
➃ Rubber Industry
In 1997, the world’s rubber consumption reached 17 million tons (63% synthetic
rubber, 37% natural rubber), with an annual growth rate of 2–3%. The same year
tire production reached 10.7 billion, with 17 million pairs of rubber shoes. In 1999,
China’s rubber consumption was 2.5 million tons, according to the second place in
the world. But the output is only 1.15 million tons. The self-sufficiency rate is only
45%. Due to the rapid development of the automobile, home appliance, construction
and other industries, the Chinese rubber industry is still facing excellent development
opportunities. It is estimated that the annual growth rate will remain at 5–7% in the
coming period.
Rubber auxiliaries: According to the purpose of use, rubber auxiliaries are divided
into four categories: vulcanization accelerators, anti-aging agents, filling and reinforcing agents, and processing auxiliaries. The current demand for rubber auxiliaries
is around 70,000 tons, with an average growth of nearly 3.6% in 5 years. In 1997, the
output of auxiliaries in China was 90,100 tons, including 51,300 tons of accelerators
and 30,400 tons of anti-aging agents. The bulk additives have formed an oversupply
situation.
In the rubber industry, the application of oleochemicals includes vulcanization
accelerators, reinforcing agents, dispersing agents and plasticizers. They are used
much less than plastic auxiliaries. At present, as the application fields of rubber
products continue to expand, the research and development of new products including additives are very active. For example, nano-grade rubber particles, rubber and
inorganic ceramic composite wear-resistant lining, safety tires that can still operate
under deflation and development of special rubber capable of absorbing light, electricity, magnetism and heat. Requirements are opening up new opportunities for the
application of oil deep processing products.
➄ Inorganic filler industry
Inorganic fillers are widely used in the plastics, rubber, paper, paint, ink and other
industries. In addition to reducing production costs, they also give the product a
variety of properties. According to reports, the average growth rate of fillers for