# Acrylic acid: Emissions

Propylene brings most of the carbon

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/emissions/

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 |

 For a climate investor Acrylic acid is a growth chemical for India: paints and adhesives grow with housing, and SAP with hygiene penetration. Import substitution, led by IOCL and possibly private players, is the main investment theme. Climate-relevant angles are bio-based SAP and diaper recycling, both early stage and dependent on brand-owner commitments and sanitary waste EPR.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/characteristics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/acrylic_acid/links/index.md)