Rise of South Korea Methyl Methacrylate Market Production Raises Health Concerns

South Korea has become one of the world's largest producers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in recent years. MMA production in the country has increased dramatically, from 340,000 metric tons in 2010 to over 800,000 metric tons in 2021. This growth has been led by large petrochemical companies like LG Chem and Dow Chemical which operate numerous MMA plants across South Korea. However, the burgeoning MMA industry has also raised serious health and environmental issues that regulators are now seeking to address.

MMA is primarily used to produce polyMethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), a lightweight, clear plastic that is used in various applications like automotive parts, signs, lighting fixtures and windows. As demand for PMMA has grown both domestically and internationally, South Korean firms have invested billions of dollars expanding their MMA production capacity. This has allowed the country to supply a significant portion of global MMA demand and become a major exporter. However, the concentration of so many MMA plants has led to increased emissions and concerns about exposure for nearby residents.

Health Issues from MMA Emissions

Citizens groups have complained for years about noxious smells and other symptoms they attribute to MMA emissions from petrochemical complexes. MMA is classified as a volatile organic compound and possible human carcinogen by various regulatory agencies. While producing PMMA, MMA undergoes an exothermic polymerization reaction that generates waste gases including methanol, methyl formate, methyl acetate and formaldehyde. All of these are known irritants that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation even at low levels of exposure.

Studies conducted by local universities have found elevated levels of some of these gases in the air and water near major MMA production hubs. Residents report health issues ranging from recurrent headaches and dizziness to more acute reactions like nausea. Children and the elderly are seen as particularly vulnerable to MMA emissions. However, firms argue that their emissions are within legal limits and definitive proof of health impacts is still lacking. They point out the economic importance of the petrochemical industry, which accounts for over 20% of South Korean exports.

Regulators Crack Down on Emissions

Facing growing public pressure, the Ministry of Environment has pledged to take tougher action in recent years. It has set new, lower emissions standards for MMA plants and imposed hefty fines on facilities exceeding limits. Real-time emissions monitoring equipment is now mandated at all sites. The ministry is also investigating complaints about odors that residents say still regularly waft into their neighborhoods from industrial areas. Some local politicians are calling for health impact studies to be conducted independently of the industry.

This regulatory crackdown has forced petrochemical giants to invest in improving pollution controls at MMA plants. LG Chem spent $100 million upgrading its Daesan complex, considered one of the largest petrochemical industrial hubs in the world. Changes included installing enclosed conveyor systems, catalytic converters and advanced stack-gas treatment. Dow Chemical also carried out upgrades at three South Korean MMA facilities costing over $80 million total.

While welcoming tighter enforcement, businesses warn it could impact their global competitiveness if compliance costs become too burdensome. They argue South Korea needs to strike a balance between protecting public welfare and not undermining a pivotal export industry, especially as China and Middle Eastern nations also ramp up petrochemical output. However, with concerns about long-term health effects remaining, citizens want to see emissions reduced to negligible levels regardless of the costs involved.

Prospects for Renewable Alternatives

As regulators maintain pressure, researchers are exploring more sustainable alternatives that could potentially replace MMA in the future. One avenue being pursued is developing bio-based technologies using agricultural waste as a renewable feedstock instead of fossil fuels. LG Chem has a pilot facility producing MMA from sugarcane residue, while another government-backed project aims to produce it from palm kernel shells. These have the potential to significantly reduce air pollutant emissions compared to conventional MMA production.

In Summary, the economics of South Korea methyl methacrylate market remain challenging compared to MMA derived from oil and gas. Mass production costs would need to fall significantly before it could compete at commercial scales. Many technical hurdles also remain regarding achieving sufficient product purity and yields from variable biomass sources. It may be decades before renewable options could realistically take over a meaningful portion of the MMA market from conventional petrochemical routes. In the meantime, balancing short-term health risks with long-term industrial competitiveness will remain a tricky issue for South Korean regulators and MMA producers.

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