It is potentially understandable that that linkage could be missed. Superabsorbant polymers are made by copolymerizing sodium acrylic acid and a crosslinker, SAP manufacturers are not required to be manufacturers of acrylic acid - you can simply by it from a manufacturer and you are good to go. But while the plant is a major manufacturer of SAPs (20% of the world market), the fact that it also makes 10% of the world's acrylic acid is a potentially larger concern. Why? Well acrylic acid is an extremely versatile and important chemical feedstock. While it is of little or no value by itself, it is used either as itself or after esterification with various alcohols as the base for endless acrylic polymers, such as
- Paints of all manners, such as
- House paints
- Car Paints
- Spray Paints (for tagging the 'hood)
- Marine paints, and
- Artist Paints
- Sealants
- Adhesives, particularly pressure-sensitive adhesives
- Thickeners
- Dispersing agents
- Suspending agents
- Emulsifying agents
- Coatings, such as
- Floor coatings
- Glass coatings
- Window coatings, and
- Architectural Coatings
- Plexiglas
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