Polyoxymethylene (POM)

In 2000 there was no POM resin production. The new unit in Yuntianhua, using Polish technology, is still at the trial stage, and its 10,000 tons per annum capacity unit will be expanded to 15,000 tons per annum. Lanxing Co plans to resume operation of the 3,000 tons per annum unit at Shanghai Solvent Plant, and then to extend to 20,000 tons per annum. The programme by the Japanese Baoli Co in Nantong to build a 60,000 tons per annum POM unit has been approved by Jiangsu Province and is under active preparation. Among applications for construction submitted to the National Planning Committee, Daqing oil field methanol Plant and the Shanxi Province Lanhua Kechuang Group have been approved and entered the feasibility study stage.

In the domestic market, the demand in 2000 markedly increased, and the import volume was 10,000 tons more than the previous year: a growth rate of 9.26 per cent.

Table 6.4.6: POM import volume in recent years (thousand tons)

Year	Volume	Year	Volume
1994	19.4	1998	63.4
1995	26.4	1999	90.6
1996	39.4	2000	99.1
1997	57.1	2000	100.6 ( predicted )

Table 6.4.7: POM domestic consumption pattern

End-use	Proportion (%)	End-use	Proportion (%)
Electric/electronic appliances	32	Machinery	15.5
Automobiles	9.6	Farming machinery	4.5
Light industry	24	Others	14.4