1) Status

After nearly 50 years of development, β-lactam antibiotics have formed a complete production system. Almost all beta-lactam antibiotics (except those in the patent term) can be produced in China, and the cost is very low. Penicillin production ranks first in the world, and a large number of exports are supplied to the international market; cephalosporin antibiotics are basically self-sufficient, Can win part of the export.

The intermediates that are compatible with β-lactam antibiotics can all be produced in China. Except that the mother-core 7-ACA and 7-ADCA of semi-synthetic antibiotics need to be imported in part, all the side chain intermediates can be produced and exported in large quantities.

Taking the phenylacetic acid, the main intermediate of β-lactam antibiotics, as an example, there are nearly 30 phenylacetic acid manufacturers in China and the total annual production capacity is about 20,000 tons. However, most enterprises are small in size, with the largest annual output of 2,000 tons, and other large-scale production of hundreds of tons. In 2003, the total domestic demand for phenylacetic acid was about 14,000 tons. The consumption structure was: penicillin G accounted for 85%, other medicines accounted for 4%, spices accounted for 7%, and pesticides and other fields accounted for 4%.

With the development of domestic perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides industries, the demand for phenylacetic acid will further increase. It is estimated that by 2005, China's pharmaceutical industry will consume about 14,000 tons of phenylacetic acid, the pesticide industry will consume 500 tons, and the spice industry will consume about 2,000 tons. Coupled with consumption in other areas, it is expected that total domestic phenylacetic acid demand will reach 18,000 tons in 2005.