HCN/ACH
INEOS Nitriles manufactures and markets HCN and ACH globally
Hydrogen Cyanide
HCN is produced as a co-product in the Ineos acrylonitrile manufacturing process. We recover and purify the HCN, creating a feedstock for many useful products. In addition to the manufacture of ACH, that is covered in detail below, some other examples of HCN derivatives are NaCN (used for metal extraction in the gold industry), Adiponitrile (a raw material for manufacture of nylon), Chelates (used in detergents, water treatment chemicals, pulp and paper industry and photo chemicals), and Methionine (an essential amino acid).
Acetone cyanohydrin
INEOS produces acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) at its Green Lake, Texas acrylonitrile plant from the reaction of co-product hydrogen cyanide with acetone. We are one of the largest ACH producers in the United States. Acetone cyanohydrin is a primary feedstock used in producing methacrylic acid and its esters, principally methyl methacrylate (MMA). The largest market for MMA is the manufacture of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resins, which find their way into acrylic sheet and molding and extrusion compounds used to manufacture a variety of construction and household improvement items, such as hot tubs. MMA is also used to manufacture surface coatings (paints) used in the automotive and architectural markets. ACH is also used to manufacture halogenated water treatment chemicals for the pool and spa market.