Definition: “PTA” is the acronym of Purified Terephthalic Acid.
Comment: Modern technologies produce PTA by the catalytic liquid-phase oxidation of Para-Xylene (PX) in acetic acid, which is done in the presence of air and uses manganese or cobalt acetate as a catalyst. PTA is purified in a crystallizer, where unreacted xylene and water are flashed off.
Nearly all the output of purified PTA is consumed in the production of polyester, including polyester fiber,polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle resin and polyester film. Other, smaller outlets for PTA are production of cyclohexanedimethanol, terephthaloyl chloride, copolyester-ether elastomers, plasticizers and liquid crystal polymers.
