Glycolonitrile, also known as hydroxyacetonitrile or formaldehyde cyanohydrin, is an organic compound containing both hydroxyl (-OH) and nitrile (-CN) groups in its molecular structure.
I. Market Situation
According to market research data, the global glycolonitrile market size was approximately USD 24.5 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 31.7 million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% from 2024 to 2030.
Although relatively small in scale, the glycolonitrile market maintains a steady growth trend, mainly benefiting from the continuous development of the chemical industry and increasing demand in downstream application fields.
II. Upstream and Downstream Industry Chain
Main Downstream Derivatives and Applications
The greatest value of glycolonitrile lies in its role as a platform intermediate, which can be derived into numerous high-value-added chemicals for various applications:
| Downstream Products | Main Application Fields |
|---|---|
| Glycine | Glyphosate (pesticides), food additives, pharmaceuticals, feed |
| Iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN) | Glyphosate (pesticides), chelating agents |
| Anilinoacetonitrile | Indigo dye |
| Glycolic Acid | Chemical cleaning, cosmetics, biodegradable materials (PGA/PGLA) |
| EDTA | Chelating agents, daily chemicals, water treatment agents |
1. Pesticide Sector (Core Market)
This is the most important downstream destination for glycolonitrile. Glycolonitrile is used to produce glycine or iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN), which are then used to manufacture glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally. China is a major producer of glyphosate, supporting significant demand for this production route.
2. Dye Sector
Glycolonitrile can be used to produce anilinoacetonitrile, a key intermediate in the synthesis of indigo dye (used for denim fabrics).
3. Fine Chemicals and New Materials
Glycolic acid: Can be used in chemical cleaning agents (such as boiler cleaning), daily cosmetics (such as chemical peels), and the synthesis of high-value products like biodegradable plastics (PGA/PGLA).
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and its salts: As important chelating agents, they are widely used in daily chemicals, water treatment, textiles, papermaking and other industries.
4. Other Fields
These include electroplating, mineral processing, and laboratory research and development.
III. Andrussow Process
The Andrussow process is an important method for producing hydrogen cyanide, a key raw material for glycolonitrile. This process uses natural gas (methane), liquid ammonia, and air as raw materials. During the reaction, carbon from methane combines with nitrogen from ammonia to form hydrogen cyanide, while hydrogen is produced. The remaining NH3 from the reaction is absorbed with sulfuric acid to produce 98% ammonium sulfate as a by-product.
Process Advantages
The core advantages of the Andrussow process lie in its efficient energy utilization and maximum value extraction from by-products. The high heat generated from the synthesis reaction and total tail gas incineration can be recovered as by-product steam, which not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes environmental pollution. Additionally, this process enables continuous production, making it suitable for large-scale industrial plants.
DODGEN's Technological Innovations
DODGEN has made innovative breakthroughs in Andrussow process technology, significantly improving the yield and purity of hydrogen cyanide through catalyst optimization and reactor design improvements. Its core technologies include:
- Adoption of high-efficiency platinum-rhodium alloy catalysts to improve reaction selectivity and conversion rate
- Optimized reactor structure to improve heat distribution and material flow, reducing side reactions
- Development of advanced temperature control systems to ensure stable reaction conditions and extend catalyst service life
These technological innovations have placed DODGEN's Andrussow process in a leading position in the industry in terms of efficiency and product quality.
IV. Market Opportunities
The glycolonitrile market faces numerous development opportunities. The continuous growth in demand from downstream industries such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals provides stable support for the glycolonitrile market. The expansion of emerging application areas, such as specialty chemicals and electronic chemicals, brings new growth points to the market.