| HS Code | 839363 |
| Product Name | Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 3-5 ECO-B |
| Chemical Name | Vinyl Acetate Monomer |
| Chemical Formula | C4H6O2 |
| Cas Number | 108-05-4 |
| Molecular Weight | 86.09 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Purity | 99.9 wt% minimum |
| Inhibitor Hydroquinone Content | 3-5 ppm |
| Water Content | 0.02 wt% maximum |
| Acidity As Acetic Acid | 0.005 wt% maximum |
| Boiling Point | 72.7 °C |
| Melting Point | -93 °C |
| Flash Point | -8 °C (closed cup) |
| Specific Gravity | 0.932 at 20/20 °C |
| Solubility In Water | 2.0 wt% at 20 °C |
As an accredited Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 3-5 ECO-B factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 200 kg drums or 1,000 kg IBC totes; securely sealed, clearly labeled, and designed for safe handling and product purity. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: UN-approved drums/IBCs securely loaded, labeled, ventilated, and segregated from incompatible materials for safe transport. |
| Shipping | Ship Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 3-5 ECO-B as a flammable liquid (UN 1301) in approved, properly grounded containers. Avoid ignition sources, direct sunlight, and temperatures above 30°C. Ensure ventilation, secure upright loading, and use suitable spill containment. Verify regulatory compatibility and documentation before transport. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, open flames, and direct sunlight. Maintain temperature below 30°C to prevent polymerization. Keep containers tightly closed, grounded, and bonded. Separate from oxidizing agents, peroxides, and acids. Use explosion-proof equipment and monitor inhibitor levels regularly. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 12 months from date of manufacture when stored under recommended conditions in original containers. |
Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 3-5 ECO-B is supplied as a bulk liquid with hydroquinone inhibitor concentration controlled within 3–5 ppm. This tight band is low enough to avoid excessive induction periods in persulfate-initiated emulsion polymerization, yet sufficient to interrupt radical propagation when dissolved oxygen is maintained above 8 ppm. Bulk storage must use air venting rather than nitrogen blanketing. Dissolved oxygen regenerates the quinone inhibitor function; oxygen exclusion converts hydroquinone into a non-inhibiting species and permits autocatalytic polymerization. Transfer lines are normally fabricated from AISI 316L stainless steel or carbon steel with epoxy phenolic lining. Contact with copper or brass fittings should be avoided because vinyl acetate promotes corrosion and the formation of acetylide species. When the ECO-B grade is procured under a mass balance certificate, the certificate should reference the applicable ISCC PLUS or equivalent chain of custody scheme and the allocation period; the monomer remains drop-in to conventional petrochemical VAM processes.
The first downstream segment is polyvinyl acetate dispersion for wood adhesives and paper lamination. A typical formulation charges deionized water at 90–120 parts, polyvinyl alcohol protective colloid at 4–8 parts, vinyl acetate at 70–90 parts, butyl acrylate at 5–20 parts, and acrylic acid at 0.5–2 parts. The initiator system is ammonium persulfate at 0.1–0.3 parts or a redox couple of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate. Reaction temperature is held at 66–85°C using jacket cooling and a reflux condenser. The hydroquinone inhibitor carries into the aqueous phase and produces a measurable induction period during the seed stage. Production operators compensate by split-feeding the initiator or adding a small oxidizer spike. If the inhibitor is not compensated, conversion can stall between 40% and 60%. If compensation is excessive, the exotherm can reach 15°C/min and cause batch coagulation. After polymerization, residual vinyl acetate is steam-stripped at 75–85°C under vacuum to below 0.1 wt%. Final dispersion solids are 50–60%, pH is 4.0–5.5, and Brookfield viscosity is 3,000–15,000 mPa·s at 25°C. Wood adhesives based on this chemistry must meet EN 204/205 durability classes D3 and D4 when formulated with appropriate crosslinkers. Adhesives for food packaging require compliance with 21 CFR 175.105 and, where plasticized, REACH Annex XVII entry 51 phthalate restrictions.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers for photovoltaic module encapsulation are produced in high-pressure free-radical autoclave or tubular reactors. VAM content is controlled at 28–33 wt% for the encapsulant layer. This range depresses peak melting temperature to 45–65°C and reduces crystallinity to 10–25%, allowing lamination at 140–155°C without wetting the backsheet. Melt index measured per ISO 1133-1:2022 at 190°C/2.16 kg is typically 15–25 g/10 min. The resin is compounded with organic peroxide, triallyl cyanurate or triallyl isocyanurate, silane adhesion promoter, and UV stabilizer. Peroxide half-life must be matched to the lamination cycle; 1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane is one industrially used initiator. Crosslink density after lamination is measured by gel content in refluxing xylene or trichloroethylene using ASTM D2765. Gel content values of 75–90% are typical; below 65% creep resistance and damp heat adhesion deteriorate. VAM content above 33 wt% reduces Shore A hardness below 75 and increases acetic acid formation under damp heat, contributing to metallization corrosion. VAM content below 28 wt% elevates storage modulus and may produce incomplete lamination at 150°C. Published data for this specific ECO-B monomer in tubular EVA production is limited, but the hydroquinone inhibitor is consumed in the front-end radical scavenging stage and does not persist into the finished resin.
| VAM content (wt%) | Melt index (g/10 min, ISO 1133-1:2022) | Peak melting (°C, ASTM D3418) | Shore A hardness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 2–6 | 75–85 | 80–90 | Footwear midsoles |
| 25 | 20–40 | 60–70 | 70–80 | Hot melt adhesives |
| 28–33 | 15–25 | 45–65 | 60–75 | Photovoltaic encapsulant |
Redispersible polymer powders based on vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers are produced from VAE dispersions with glass transition temperatures between -10°C and +10°C. The dispersion is stabilized with partially hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol and sprayed in a co-current spray dryer with inlet air at 130–180°C and outlet air at 60–85°C. Feed solids content is 50–55%. Anti-caking agent is injected at 0.5–1.5 wt% to prevent powder blocking. The resulting powder has average particle size 50–150 μm, bulk density 400–600 g/L, and residual moisture below 1.5 wt%. In tile adhesive formulations, powder additions of 15–40 wt% on cement are common. The powder re-disperses in water and forms a polymer film that bridges cement hydrates. Adhesion after water immersion and heat ageing is tested per EN 12004-2 and ISO 13007-2. The critical process limit is outlet air temperature: above 85°C the powder particles sinter into glassy agglomerates, while below 60°C residual moisture exceeds specification and the powder cakes during storage. Residual vinyl acetate monomer in the dispersion should be stripped to below 0.1 wt% before spray drying to meet indoor emission limits. Headspace GC verification is commonly aligned with GB 18583-2008 or the AgBB/DIBt evaluation scheme. Published data for the ECO-B grade in RDP production is limited, but the 3–5 ppm HQ band does not require separate inhibitor removal when the polymerization recipe uses a redox initiator.
Vinyl acetate is first polymerized in methanol solution to polyvinyl acetate, then subjected to base-catalysed alcoholysis. The molecular weight of the PVAc precursor is set by chain transfer to solvent and monomer at 55–70°C. Target degree of polymerization for general PVOH grades is 500–2,400. Methanolysis uses sodium hydroxide at a molar ratio of 0.02–0.05 mol NaOH per mol acetate ester. Reaction temperature is held at 30–60°C. The saponification reaction is fast; residence time in a belt or kneader reactor is 10–40 min. Degree of hydrolysis is controlled by stopping the reaction at 86.5–99.3 mol%. Fully hydrolysed grades above 98 mol% are used in textile warp sizing, paper surface sizing, and water-soluble film for detergent pouches. Partially hydrolysed grades from 86.5–89.0 mol% are used as protective colloids in VAE emulsion polymerization. The alcoholysis reactor must exclude atmospheric oxygen because oxidized PVOH forms color bodies. The PVOH is washed with methanol, pressed to 55–70% solids, and dried in a fluidized bed at 80–110°C. Food-contact film made from PVOH must comply with 21 CFR 177.1670. Water-soluble detergent film must also meet applicable REACH and detergent packaging regulatory limits. The main process conflict is gelation when methanolysis temperature exceeds 60°C; this causes lump formation and uneven hydrolysis. The hydroquinone inhibitor is quenched in the PVAc polymerization step, but residual HQ in the methanol mother liquor can affect recycle methanol color and should be monitored by UV absorbance.
Polyvinyl butyral is produced from high-hydrolysis PVOH and butyraldehyde. The PVOH is dissolved in water at 90–95°C to a concentration of 8–12 wt%. Butyraldehyde is added at 10–20°C in the presence of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid catalyst at pH 1.5–2.5. The condensation reaction forms polyvinyl butyral with 70–80 wt% butyral content, 12–22 wt% vinyl alcohol content, and 1–3 wt% residual acetate. The resin is neutralized, washed, and dried to moisture below 0.5 wt%. Plasticized sheet is extruded at 180–220°C with triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate or dihexyl adipate at 30–45 parts per hundred resin. Final interlayer thickness is 0.38–0.76 mm. Laminated glass must meet ISO 12543-2, ECE R43, and ANSI Z26.1 impact and optical requirements. Residual acetate inherited from VAM-derived PVOH influences PVB compatibility with plasticizer and adhesion to glass. Acetate content above 3 wt% lowers glass adhesion and increases haze. Published data for this specific ECO-B monomer in the indirect PVB route is limited.
In interior matt and silk paints, vinyl acetate is copolymerized with vinyl neononanoate or vinyl neodecanoate and butyl acrylate. A typical monomer mix is 55–75 wt% VAM, 10–25 wt% vinyl neononanoate, and 10–20 wt% butyl acrylate. The emulsion is prepared by semi-batch pre-emulsion polymerization at 65–80°C with an anionic/nonionic surfactant system. The resulting binder has minimum film formation temperature 0–5°C, solids 48–52%, and particle size 150–250 nm. Paints formulated with this binder are tested for wet scrub resistance by ISO 11998; weight loss of 5–10 μm after 200 cycles is typical for interior matt paint. VOC content is controlled by Directive 2004/42/EC Phase A limits. Residual vinyl acetate monomer must be below 500 ppm in the liquid paint to satisfy indoor air labelling schemes. The process limitation is the hydrolytic stability of vinyl neononanoate at low pH. The emulsion should not be formulated below pH 7.5 because ester hydrolysis releases free neononanoic acid and destabilizes the polymer. The 3–5 ppm HQ inhibitor does not participate in dried paint film properties after monomer stripping.
Polyvinyl acetate used as a masticatory substance in chewing gum base is produced by bulk or solution polymerization to a molecular weight range of 20,000–50,000 g/mol. Polymerization is conducted at 60–80°C with a thermal or low-initiator process to avoid excessive branching. The resin must have a softening point of 40–65°C and low residual monomer. 21 CFR 172.615 authorizes polyvinyl acetate as a chewing gum base component with a minimum molecular weight of 2,000. Each batch of gum base is evaluated for residual vinyl acetate by headspace GC with a reporting limit of 1 ppm. The main production conflict is viscosity: bulk PVAc at high conversion exceeds 10,000 mPa·s at 100°C, requiring recirculating loop reactors or belt polymerization. Excess HQ above 5 ppm can delay conversion and produce a low molecular weight fraction, which alters chewing texture and release behavior. This application requires segregated storage and transfer equipment to prevent cross-contamination with non-food-grade esters or additives.
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Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 3-5 ECO-B is a low-inhibitor vinyl acetate monomer with hydroquinone stabilizer loading of 3–5 ppm. The HQ designation identifies the hydroquinone radical-scavenging package, while ECO-B is a manufacturer product-code suffix for a specific low-inhibitor, bulk-supply configuration. The monomer itself is 1-acetoxyethylene, CAS 108-05-4, molecular formula C4H6O2, and molar mass 86.09 g/mol. It has a normal boiling point of 72.7 °C at 101.3 kPa and a density of 0.933 g/cm³ at 20 °C when measured by ASTM D4052. The material is shipped as UN 1301, Vinyl Acetate Monomer, Stabilized, Class 3, Packing Group II, with a closed-cup flash point of approximately -8 °C under ASTM D3828 and a lower flammable limit of 2.6 vol% in air. Published data for the specific ECO-B suffix are limited; the technical envelope below reflects the generally reported industrial specification range for low-inhibitor VAM grades and must be verified against the current certificate of analysis.
The product is intended for downstream free-radical polymerisation and copolymerisation processes in which low inhibitor content shortens the induction period and reduces initiator demand. Because the hydroquinone reserve is at the lower end of commercial practice, the monomer is positioned for short-cycle consumption under controlled cold-chain logistics. It is not the default choice for extended storage or long-haul marine transit without re-inhibition or rigorous temperature control.
| Parameter | Typical published range | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl acetate purity | ≥ 99.9 wt% | GC-FID per ASTM D3545 within ASTM D2190 |
| Hydroquinone inhibitor | 3–5 ppm | Colorimetric/UV assay referenced in ASTM D2190 |
| Water | ≤ 0.05 wt% | ASTM D1364 |
| Acidity as acetic acid | ≤ 0.005 wt% | ASTM D1613 |
| Acetaldehyde | ≤ 0.005 wt% | Headspace GC |
| Colour, Pt-Co | ≤ 5 | ASTM D1209 |
| Boiling range at 101.3 kPa | 72.7–73.0 °C | ASTM D1078 |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.933–0.935 g/cm³ | ASTM D4052 |
| Vapour pressure at 20 °C | ~12 kPa | Antoine calculation; not specification |
These limits differentiate the low-inhibitor grade from less-refined monomer and from higher-inhibitor variants. At 3–5 ppm hydroquinone, the product reduces the free-radical initiator feed required to reach target conversion and narrows the operational window for temperature excursions. The trade-off is reduced storage reserve. The product is therefore selected when the polymerisation unit has validated receipt-to-use turnover, refrigerated storage, and inhibitor-depletion monitoring capabilities.
Hydroquinone in vinyl acetate functions as a radical-scavenging retarder. During isothermal bulk or solution polymerisation with azo or peroxy initiators, primary radicals are consumed by hydroquinone and semiquinone intermediates until the inhibitor is exhausted. The induction time is roughly proportional to initial inhibitor concentration divided by the rate of initiator radical generation. For a fixed initiator feed and reactor temperature, a monomer containing 3–5 ppm hydroquinone enters the propagation phase sooner than a similar charge containing 14–17 ppm or 200 ppm hydroquinone. This shorter inhibition period is exploited in continuous polyvinyl acetate methanolysis operations and in vinyl acetate–ethylene pressure reactors, where delayed polymerisation onset complicates heat removal and conversion control.
Exact induction time is not a product constant. It is determined by reactor temperature, initiator half-life, monomer purity, trace metal activity, and oxygen status. Qualification is normally performed by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry or ampoule polymerisation before reactor scale-up. Published data for this specific ECO-B configuration are limited; no universal induction-time value should be transferred from one reactor line to another without experimental confirmation.
The product differs from hydroquinone-inhibited VAM grades with higher inhibitor loadings mainly in inhibitor reserve and downstream process behaviour. Lower inhibitor content reduces the additional initiator consumed during the inhibition phase, which is advantageous for solutions and emulsions where excess initiator contributes to chain transfer, branching, or colour. However, it also narrows the tolerance to storage temperature and contaminant exposure. A substitute from HQ 14-17 or HQ 200 should be made only after a management-of-change review covering storage interval, emergency quench capacity, and polymerisation initiator trim.
| Process parameter | HQ 3-5 ECO-B | HQ 14-17 | HQ 200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroquinone loading | 3–5 ppm | 14–17 ppm | 200 ppm |
| Storage profile | Short-cycle chilled storage at ≤ 25 °C | Standard regional storage | Extended transit and long hold |
| Polymerisation induction period | Shortest | Intermediate | Longest |
| Initiator demand for target conversion | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Preferred downstream use | Fast-turnover continuous PVAc, VAE, PVOH | General-purpose emulsions and adhesives | Long-storage or high-ambient sites |
| Operational boundary | Not for unmanaged hot storage; re-verify inhibitor by ASTM D2190 after prolonged hold | Better inhibitor reserve for seasonal storage | High inhibitor may require initiator trimming or longer induction |
Substitution from HQ 14-17 to HQ 3-5 ECO-B is not a drop-in change for sites with extended logistics. The low inhibitor reserve requires a site-specific stability window, first-in-first-out consumption, and temperature alarms on bulk storage. If the validated storage interval is exceeded, inhibitor content should be re-verified before reactor charging.
Bulk storage vessels for HQ 3-5 ECO-B are designed for flammable liquid service and are typically constructed from stainless steel 316L or aluminium. Carbon steel is used only with suitable lining and strict control of acidity because the monomer hydrolyses to acetic acid in the presence of water. The low dynamic viscosity of vinyl acetate, approximately 0.42 mPa·s at 25 °C, places demands on transfer pumps; centrifugal pumps with dual mechanical seals or magnetically driven designs are specified to avoid seal leakage from thin non-lubricating fluid. Transfer lines should avoid dead-legs, and vents are equipped with flame arrestors. The vapour space is maintained outside the flammable range by inerting or mechanical ventilation according to facility fire-protection design.
The product is stored at ≤ 25 °C. Above 30 °C, hydroquinone consumption accelerates and the effective induction period becomes less predictable. Refrigerated storage with external circulation is common for sites receiving railcar or isotank volumes. Copper, brass, and active metal salts are excluded from service because soluble copper species promote decomposition and polymer formation. The monomer should not be combined with strong alkali or amine-based additives, as alkaline conditions hydrolyse vinyl acetate to acetic acid, consume inhibitor, and can destabilise the stabilizer package.
Under fire-protection and process-safety systems, the vessel and transfer piping are rated for Class 3 flammable liquid. Gas detection is normally aligned with the lower explosive limit of 2.6 vol%. Relief devices, emergency dump tanks, and quench systems are part of the storage design because loss of inhibitor can lead to exothermic polymerisation and pressure rise. The low-inhibitor product therefore requires the same process-safety infrastructure as other VAM grades, with particular attention to minimum hold-up time and temperature monitoring.
In bulk handling and reactor charging, the product is metered through low-shear equipment. Diaphragm or sealless pumps are used for small-batch reactors, while continuous plants commonly use dedicated stainless-steel metering skids. Filtration before reactor charging with 5–25 µm absolute filters removes accidental polymer fines or trace corrosion products. This step is specified because particulates can act as polymerisation seeds or block downstream nozzles.
Published data for the specific ECO-B configuration under prolonged storage are limited. Sites should determine receipt-to-use stability by measuring inhibitor concentration and induction time at intervals relevant to their logistic pattern. The product should not be held at elevated ambient temperature without re-inhibition, cooling, or a validated stability study.
In vinyl acetate–ethylene emulsion polymerisation, the monomer is metered into a pressure-rated stirred reactor at ethylene partial pressures of 20–60 bar and reactor temperatures of 50–85 °C. The low inhibitor content reduces pre-reaction delay during the seed stage and permits lower free-radical initiator concentrations for the same conversion. Protective colloids such as partially hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol or hydroxyethyl cellulose are used to stabilise the latex; the 3–5 ppm hydroquinone level is low enough to avoid destabilising the aqueous phase while still providing storage stability under controlled conditions. In batch or semibatch vinyl acetate–butyl acrylate polymerisation for low-Tg adhesives, monomer feed is typically continued over 3–5 h. Delayed initiation from excess inhibitor can produce broad particle size distributions, so the low hydroquinone content is an important feed-quality control. Total solids may be tracked by ISO 3251, and residual monomer is measured by headspace gas chromatography.
For polyvinyl alcohol production, the monomer is polymerised in methanol solution and the resulting polyvinyl acetate is saponified with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Low water and acetaldehyde in the feed reduce side reactions that consume alkali and increase carbonyl content. The grade is therefore used in continuous PVOH plants requiring degree of hydrolysis near 98–99 mol% and low film haze. In paper and packaging adhesives, the acidity limit of ≤ 0.005 wt% as acetic acid minimises corrosion in application equipment and reduces odour contribution. For food-contact adhesive applications, monomer selection is only an upstream factor; the finished formulation must meet FDA 21 CFR 175.105 or EU 10/2011 migration limits, and the monomer itself is not considered a direct food-contact material.
Residual monomer in compounded products is controlled by post-polymerisation stripping. Steam stripping at 60–80 °C and 200–400 mbar is common for emulsions requiring residual vinyl acetate below applicable regulatory or specification limits. Low initial inhibitor loading does not eliminate residual monomer; it changes the initiator demand and induction profile during polymerisation. Published data for this specific product suffix are limited, so pilot-scale qualification with headspace GC and mechanical property testing is required before commercial application changes.
The product’s differentiation from general-purpose VAM grades is most relevant when the downstream process cannot tolerate hydrolysis or colour-forming impurities. Water in the monomer is not inert: it hydrolyses vinyl acetate to acetic acid and acetaldehyde during storage and polymerisation. Acetaldehyde is a chain-transfer and chromophore precursor; in alkaline saponification it can condense into coloured polyenals and aldol products. Acidity consumes alkali in methanolysis and shifts the degree of hydrolysis. The specification envelope for HQ 3-5 ECO-B therefore constrains water to ≤ 0.05 wt% by ASTM D1364, acidity to ≤ 0.005 wt% as acetic acid by ASTM D1613, acetaldehyde to ≤ 0.005 wt%, and Pt-Co colour to ≤ 5 by ASTM D1209. In contrast, less-refined monomer streams may exhibit water levels of 0.10–0.20 wt% and colour values of 10–20 Pt-Co.
These impurity differences affect cast polyvinyl acetate film haze and Yellowness Index. For optical-grade PVOH film with Yellowness Index below 2 and haze below 1%, low-aldehyde and low-water monomer is specified as a feed-quality control point. If the polymer is processed above 180 °C, trace residual stabilizer and carbonyl compounds can still develop colour. Filtration of monomer and post-polymerisation stripping of residual monomer are not sufficient interventions because they cannot remove already-formed coloured condensation products. The feed monomer quality therefore remains a first-line control.
The operational boundary for high-temperature processing is not solely monomer-dependent. Polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol are heat-sensitive polymers, and thermal stabilizers may be required for compounding or film extrusion above 180 °C. The monomer low-acid, low-water profile supports colour control but does not replace polymer stabilisation. For applications requiring low carbonyl content, downstream saponification conditions must also be controlled because excess alkali and high temperature can generate colour even from low-acetaldehyde feed.
Compared with higher-inhibitor grades, HQ 3-5 ECO-B offers a narrower storage window but a cleaner start-up profile in continuous polymerisation. Compared with lower-purity monomer, it reduces hydrolysis, acidity, and chain-transfer burden. The product is therefore selected where the polymerisation line is fast-turnover and the end-use specification is sensitive to colour, haze, or residual odour. It is not selected where long storage under uncontrollable ambient temperature is the dominant logistic condition.
