By 2006, China's annual production capacity and output of polyacrylamide (PAM) had reached 500,000 tons and 32,000 tons, respectively. The apparent consumption of PAM in the country that year was approximately 317,700 tons. Of this, around 78.5% was used in oil extraction, 11% in water treatment, 7.8% in textiles, and 2.7% in other sectors.
PAM serves as a key flocculant in water treatment, helping to remove suspended particles from tap water and aiding in sludge dewatering during sewage treatment. It is also widely used in industrial water treatment as an important formulation agent. In many large and medium-sized cities, PAM is increasingly utilized when water supply is limited or water quality is poor. In wastewater treatment, it has become the dominant type of flocculant. In 2006, about 35,000 tons of PAM were consumed for water treatment purposes.
In the paper industry, PAM acts as a retention agent. As one of the world’s largest paper producers and consumers, China used approximately 25,000 tons of PAM in the papermaking process in 2006. By 2010, demand in this sector is expected to rise to around 40,000 tons. Currently, non-ionic PAM is more commonly used in water treatment and papermaking than cationic types. However, in developed countries, the production of cationic PAM-based flocculants has grown rapidly, accounting for about 60% of total production and increasing by over 10% annually. In contrast, domestic PAM products are mostly anionic, with cationic types making up only about 10%, and many of them are of low quality. This has become a major constraint on the development of China’s water treatment and paper industries.
Every year, Chinese paper mills import significant amounts of PAM from Taiwan, Japan, and other regions. With the growing production of paper and board, import volumes have continued to rise. Between 2002 and 2006, the average annual growth rate of PAM imports was about 15%, reaching 26,200 tons in 2006.
Looking ahead, the use of PAM as a water treatment agent is expected to expand as water shortages worsen and national demand for clean drinking water increases. Globally, PAM accounts for 37% of total consumption, but in China, it is only about 11%, indicating significant growth potential. With the acceleration of water pollution control projects, PAM consumption is likely to keep rising. By 2010, the demand for PAM in water treatment is expected to reach approximately 48,000 tons.
Meanwhile, due to increased investments by Japanese companies like Arakawa Chemical, Seiko PMC, and Harima Chemical in PAM production in China, the import volume in the paper industry is expected to decline. By 2010, total PAM imports are projected to be around 20,000 tons.
In the petroleum industry, the focus is on developing ultra-high molecular weight PAM. Field tests at the Daqing Oil Field have shown that injecting one ton of ultra-high molecular weight PAM can increase crude oil recovery by 150–200 tons. To support stable oil production, promote tertiary oil recovery, develop offshore oil and gas resources, and meet environmental protection policies, the demand for ultra-high molecular weight PAM in urban sewage and industrial wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly urgent. As a result, the Chinese government has prioritized the development of ultra-high molecular weight PAM as a key project in high-tech industrialization.
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