525 Sterling Chemicals, Texas City, Tex. In 1997, Monsanto spun off its industrial chemicals operations as Solutia. Production at the Alvin plant is captive and used to make acrylic fibers and adiponitrile. The plant's output will be shared with Asahi and Bayer, both of which have equity in the facility. In 1998, Amoco merged with British Petroleum to become BP Amoco.
Imports are negligible.
Production was 3.29 billion pounds in 1997 and 3.12 billion pounds in 1998. Exports were 1.538 billion pounds in 1997 and 934 million pounds in 1998. The export market for acrylonitrile, driven by strong demand from Asia, has improved dramatically since August. Spot prices, led by both increased demand and pressure from raw materials, have risen by 15 to 20 percent during that period. In a market with endemically low production rates and flat pricing since 1997, producers are looking at positive margins and operating rates of more than 90 percent for the first time in nearly three years.