Methyl Lactate Production By Esterification Reaction

This report entails the detailed cost evaluation of methyl lactate production by the esterification reaction. The production process is initiated by the chemical reaction between methanol or methyl alcohol with lactic acid in the presence of a metal catalyst. The process is carried out using zinc metal, as a catalyst to catalyze the reaction and result in the esterification of methanol to give methyl lactate as the end product.

Top Producers of Methyl Lactate

• Yancheng Huade Biological Engineering
• Jindan Lactic Acid
• Musashino Chemical Laboratory
• Corbion
• Vigon International

Feedstocks for Methyl Lactate

Methyl lactate is synthesized by using methyl alcohol and lactic acid, its primary feedstock. The procurement of methyl lactate, as well as its feedstocks, is influenced by several factors, including the availability of its raw material, including crude oil, natural gas, corn, carbon dioxide, etc., production cost, stability of the supply chain, etc. Other factors, including the activities in upstream industries, along with demand from downstream industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, and logistics altogether, play a major role in determining the overall procurement of methyl lactate and its feedstocks in the global chemical market on a large scale.

The project economic analysis provided in the report discusses a Germany-based plant:

• Manufacturing Process
  • Process Flow
  • Material Flow
  • Material Balance
• Raw Material and Product's Specifications
  • Raw Material Consumption
  • Product and Co-Product Generation
  • Capital Investment
• Land and Site Cost
  • Offsites/Civil Works
  • Equipment Cost
  • Auxiliary Equipment Cost
  • Contingency
  • Engineering and Consulting Charges
  • Working Capital
• Variable Cost
  • Raw Material
  • Utilities
• Fixed Cost
  • Labor Requirement & Wages
  • Overhead Expenses
  • Maintenance Charges
• Financing Costs
  • Interest on Working Capital
  • Interest on Loans
• Depreciation Charges
• General Sales and Admin Costs
• Production Cost Summary