Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM)
Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is a highly versatile intermediate used in the production of a variety of polymers, such as polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl formal (PVF) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The main process used to produce VAM is vapor-phase acetoxylation (reaction of ethylene with acetic acid), except in China where the acetylene process dominates.
Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM)
Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is an intermediate chemical of the vinyls chain, mainly produced by thermal cracking of EDC. Almost all VCM produced is used to manufacture PVC, with other applications consuming very little VCM. VCM is a toxic gas at room temperature, and thus transporting VCM is costly and hazardous. As such, trade in VCM is usually minimised, in favour of shipping EDC (the precursor to VCM) or PVC.
The Vinyls family contains those chemicals used in the production of PVC resin, namely chlorine, EDC, VCM, and PVC. Although not specifically used for PVC production, caustic soda is often associated with the vinyls chain, as it is a major by-product of chlorine production.