Innovative Technology Engineering Service Provider for Ethylene-Based MMA Production
Through strong collaboration and complementary technological advantages, Wison Engineering’s Product Technology Center, together with Qingdao Sanli Bennuo New Materials Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University, and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, has jointly realized the development and engineering implementation of ethylene-based MMA technology. Wison has successfully commissioned and stably operated a 50 KTA ethylene-based MMA plant, and its high-quality MMA products have been successfully introduced to the market.
The ethylene-based MMA process mainly uses ethylene, methanol, syngas, hydrogen, and oxygen as raw materials. The process consists of four main units: the formaldehyde unit, the propionaldehyde unit, the MAL (methacrolein) unit, and the MMA unit.
In the formaldehyde unit, methanol is oxidized with air to produce formaldehyde intermediate.
In the propionaldehyde unit, ethylene, synthesis gas, and hydrogen undergo a hydroformylation process to produce propionaldehyde intermediate.
In the MAL unit, formaldehyde and propionaldehyde intermediates are used as feedstocks and undergo a Mannich reaction to generate methacrolein (MAL) intermediate.
Finally, in the MMA unit, methanol, oxygen, and methacrolein (MAL) are used as raw materials to produce methyl methacrylate (MMA) through a one-step oxidative esterification process.
Environmentally Friendly
Compared with other MMA production routes, the ethylene-based process eliminates the use of highly toxic and corrosive feedstocks such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and avoids the generation of large amounts of ammonium bisulfate solid waste, making it a cleaner and safer alternative.
Accessible Feedstocks
Unlike routes based on hydrogen cyanide or isobutylene (or tert-butanol), the ethylene-based process uses ethylene, methanol, and synthesis gas (syngas) — feedstocks that are more widely available, reliable, and stable in market pricing.
One-Step Oxidation-Esterification Catalyst
With the use of a nano-gold catalyst, methylpropanal reacts directly with methanol and oxygen in a single-step oxidation–esterification process to produce MMA, eliminating the intermediate step of methyl methacrylic acid (MAA). This simplified process shortens the production route, avoids the complex crystallization and purification of MAA, and reduces both equipment investment and plant footprint.
MMA Reactor Technology
The slurry-bed reactor technology developed by Tsinghua University overcomes the challenges of concentration and temperature gradient control through a multi-stage reactor design. An internal draft tube regulates the flow field to ensure uniform catalyst distribution and optimal performance. A special in-situ liquid–solid separator simplifies the separation of materials and catalyst, effectively reducing catalyst loss.
High-Efficiency MMA Product Separation Technology
Wison Engineering’s proprietary MMA separation technology maximizes feedstock utilization, minimizes energy consumption during separation, and delivers high-purity MMA products with outstanding efficiency and consistency.
Low Material Consumption
The ethylene-based MMA process features lower raw material consumption per ton of product. Its production cost is comparable to the ACH (acetone–cyanohydrin) process and approximately 25% lower than that of traditional isobutylene (or tert-butanol) routes.
Superior Product Quality
The ethylene-based MMA product offers higher purity (greater than 99.9 wt%) and lower impurity content (e.g., moisture below 100 ppmw). Its product specifications exceed the “Premium Grade” requirements in China National Standard HG/T 2305-2017, as well as stricter industry benchmarks.
One-Stop Engineering and Technical Solutions
Wison Engineering provides end-to-end engineering services for ethylene-based MMA plants, including process package development, basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up support—delivering clients a truly turnkey solution for efficient, reliable MMA production.
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