Acrylonitrile
丙烯腈
Acrylonitrile is the monomer for ABS resin, acrylic fibre, and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers. Chinese capacity is dominated by Sinopec, with large complexes in Shanghai, Anqing, and the Bohai-rim petrochemical zones. UN 1093, IMDG Class 3 Packing Group I, sub-risk Class 6.1 for inhalation toxicity; the highest-tier dangerous-goods classification for a routine commodity petrochemical shipment. Ships in stainless or rubber-lined T11 ISO tanks with the inhibitor MEHQ (methoxyhydroquinone) at the spec rate. IARC Monograph 71 classifies acrylonitrile as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic), and the 2021 IARC re-evaluation in Volume 128 reaffirmed the classification. US imports do not carry Section 301 on bulk acrylonitrile at the time of writing. This cluster aggregates CAS 107-13-1 across the regulatory matrix.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on this lane
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Class 3, IMDG Class 3
The IMDG hazard class for flammable liquids, substances with a flash point of 60 degrees Celsius or below. Covers solvents, alcohols, ketones, esters, fuels, and many industrial intermediates routinely shipped from Chinese chemical factories. Subject to packing group I, II, or III based on flash point and initial boiling point.
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Class 6.1, IMDG Class 6.1
The IMDG hazard subclass for toxic substances, substances that can cause death, serious injury, or harm to human health if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Covers cyanides, arsenic and mercury compounds, many pesticides, isocyanates, and a wide range of toxic intermediates routinely shipped from Chinese chemical factories.
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PG I / II / III, Packing Group
Three-tier classification under the IMDG Code (and other transport regulations) indicating the relative severity of hazard within a dangerous-goods class. PG I is the most hazardous (great danger), PG II is medium danger, PG III is minor danger. Determines the required packaging strength and the regulatory burden of the shipment.
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UN Number, UN Number
A four-digit identifier assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to identify a hazardous substance for international transport. Required on the DG Declaration, the package marking, the placards on the container, and Section 14 of the MSDS.
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DG Declaration, Dangerous Goods Declaration
A signed shipper's document required for every dangerous-goods sea shipment, certifying that the cargo has been properly classified, packaged, marked, labelled, and is in the proper condition for transport. Issued under the IMDG Code on the IMO Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form.
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MSA China / 海事局, Maritime Safety Administration of China
The Chinese government authority responsible for maritime safety, ship registration, port-state control, and the regulation of dangerous goods carried by sea on Chinese-flagged vessels and in Chinese ports. Reports to the Ministry of Transport. MSA China issues the Dangerous Goods Container Packing Certificate (危险品集装箱适装证明) that every DG export shipment from China must carry, alongside other operational permits for chemical cargo movement.
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ISO Tank, ISO Tank Container
A stainless-steel or alloy-steel cylindrical pressure vessel mounted in a 20-foot ISO container frame, designed for the transport of bulk liquids and gases. Capacities typically 18-26 cubic metres (16-25 MT depending on cargo density). UN portable tank instructions cover four families: T1 to T22 for liquids and solids of Classes 1 and 3 to 9, T23 for Class 4.1 self-reactive substances and Class 5.2 organic peroxides, T50 for non-refrigerated liquefied gases, and T75 for cryogenic liquefied gases. ISO tanks carry the bulk of the world's hazardous liquid chemical trade and compete with parcel tankers at different scales.
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SDS, Safety Data Sheet
The 16-section document that communicates the hazards, handling, storage, and emergency response information for a chemical product. Required at destination customs for any classified hazardous chemical and at the buyer's site for worker safety. SDS is the GHS-aligned successor to the older MSDS format.
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COA, Certificate of Analysis
A document issued by the manufacturer (or by an accredited third-party lab) certifying that a specific batch of a chemical or material meets the agreed specification. Lists tested parameters, results, the test methods used, and a batch number that ties back to production.
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FOB, Free On Board
Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Risk and cost transfer to the buyer once the cargo crosses the ship's rail. The buyer arranges and pays for sea freight, marine insurance, and all destination-side costs.
Regulatory matrix
Cross-jurisdiction compliance
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Acrylonitrile under REACH
European Union listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Acrylonitrile under TSCA
United States of America listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Acrylonitrile under IECSC
People's Republic of China listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Acrylonitrile under AICIS
Australia listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Acrylonitrile under K-REACH
Republic of Korea listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
ISO tank types
Freight-form references for the cargo
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T11 ISO Tank Container (general chemical workhorse)
T11 is the most widely used UN portable tank in the global chemical fleet. Min test pressure 6 bar, MAWP 4 bar, 6 mm reference steel shell (4.18 mm 316L equivalent), bottom outlet allowed, normal PRV. Permitted for around 1,000 UN-numbered chemicals plus food-grade and water cargoes.
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Rubber-Lined ISO Tank Container (natural / bromobutyl / chlorobutyl)
Rubber-lined ISO tanks use 4 to 8 mm soft natural rubber, bromobutyl, or chlorobutyl liners for concentrated HCl 30 to 37% and dilute sulphuric to 70%. Marflex PG70 / HB50HT / VE621BC are the standard grades. Mid-grade chemical resistance, lower cost than PTFE.
Sourzi operator note
The inhibitor specification is loadbearing. Acrylonitrile that ships under-inhibited polymerises in the tank and becomes a write-off cargo before it discharges.
Curated by Sean. Primary-source verified per the regulatory drafting rules in Sourzi CLAUDE.md.
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