Acrylic acid: Emissions
Propylene brings most of the carbon
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies. Emission intensity 1.50 t CO2e per t range about 1.2-2.2 · cradle-to-gate, propylene route with steam credit (indicative) Global emissions per year 10.5 Mt CO2e per year 2025 · about 1.5 t x about 7 Mt (indicative)Per t of acrylic acid, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: indicative (basis: propylene tile and ecoinvent-type process data). Global total: derived (indicative).
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Feedstock 70% Production / process 27% Movement 3%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | about 1.05 t CO2e per t | 70% | Propylene (about 0.7 t) | indicative | |
| Production / process | about 0.4 t CO2e per t | 27% | Over-oxidation to CO2, distillation energy, offset partly by exported steam | indicative | |
| Movement | about 0.05 t CO2e per t | 3% | Temperature-controlled shipping | indicative | |
| Use | not applicable | – | Polymerised in paints, adhesives, SAP | n/a | |
| End of life | about 1.8 t CO2 per t of polyacrylate if incinerated (indicative) | – | Diapers are landfilled or burned; paint films stay on buildings | SAP in used diapers is a large solid waste stream | stoichiometric (indicative) |
Other environmental impacts
Used diapers containing SAP are a major non-recyclable waste stream in Indian cities (indicative); acrylic paint microplastics.
Levers to cut emissions
- Bio-propylene or bio-acrylic acid routes.
- Low-carbon steam and power at oxidation units.
- Diaper recycling to recover SAP and fibre (e.g. FaterSMART in Italy, indicative).
- Biodegradable SAP alternatives.
India
With no domestic production until IOCL's plant runs, India's acrylic footprint is embedded in imports; the domestic opportunity is new capacity built with low-carbon utilities.
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-acrylic acid from sugar via 3-HP or lactic acid | not published | high (not published) | pilot and demonstration only (indicative) | indicative |
| Mass-balance bio-attributed acrylates | lower under certification (not published) | premium | BASF and Arkema offer ISCC Plus bio-attributed acrylates (indicative) | indicative |