Global Stearic Acid Market 2024-2028

Best Price Guarantee	Length	Publisher	Published Date	SKU
from $2,500	155 Pages	TechNavio	June, 2024	INF19007135

Best Price Guarantee
Price	from $2,500
Length	155 Pages
Publisher	TechNavio
Published Date	June, 2024
SKU	INF19007135

Global Stearic Acid Market 2024-2028

The stearic acid market is forecasted to grow by USD 434.9 mn during 2023-2028, accelerating at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. The report on the stearic acid market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by growing demand from personal care industry, growing demand from soaps and detergent industries, and abundant availability of raw materials.

Technavio's stearic acid market is segmented as below:

By Application

Personal care
Food and beverages
Healthcare
Textile
Others

By Geographical Landscape

APAC
North America
Europe
South America
Middle East and Africa

This study identifies the use of stearic acid in metal processing and candle manufacturing as one of the prime reasons driving the stearic acid market growth during the next few years. Also, growing application in lead-acid batteries and innovations and r and d activities for developing bio-based products will lead to sizable demand in the market.

The report on the stearic acid market covers the following areas:

Stearic acid market sizing
Stearic acid market forecast
Stearic acid market industry analysis

The robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position, and in line with this, this report provides a detailed analysis of several leading stearic acid market vendors that include 3F Industries Ltd., BASF SE, Cayman Chemical, ChemCeed, Croda International PLC, Emery Oleochemicals Group, Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., IOI Corp. Berhad, Jarchem Industries Inc., Kao Corp., KLK Oleo, NIMIR INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS LTD., Nissan Chemical America Corp., Oleon NV, Pacific Oleochemicals SDN Bhd, Stepan Co., TAIKO KIKAI INDUSTRIES Co. Ltd, The Procter and Gamble Co., VVF Ltd., and Wilmar International Ltd.. Also, the stearic acid market analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. This is to help companies strategize and leverage all forthcoming growth opportunities.

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.

The publisher presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. The market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast the accurate market growth.

1 Executive Summary: 1.1 Market overview; Executive Summary - Chart on Market Overview; Executive Summary - Data Table on Market Overview; Executive Summary - Chart on Global Market Characteristics; Executive Summary - Chart on Market By Geographical Landscape; Executive Summary - Chart on Market Segmentation by Application; Executive Summary - Chart on Incremental Growth; Executive Summary - Data Table on Incremental Growth; Executive Summary - Chart on Company Market Positioning
2 Market Landscape: 2.1 Market ecosystem; Parent Market; Data Table on - Parent Market; 2.2 Market characteristics; Market characteristics analysis; 2.3 Value chain analysis; Value Chain Analysis
3 Market Sizing: 3.1 Market definition; Offerings of companies included in the market definition; 3.2 Market segment analysis; Market segments; 3.3 Market size 2023; 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2023-2028; Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%)
4 Historic Market Size: 4.1 Global Stearic Acid Market 2018 - 2022; Historic Market Size - Data Table on Global Stearic Acid Market 2018 - 2022 ($ million); 4.2 Application segment analysis 2018 - 2022; Historic Market Size - Application Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million); 4.3 Geography segment analysis 2018 - 2022; Historic Market Size - Geography Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million); 4.4 Country segment analysis 2018 - 2022; Historic Market Size - Country Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million)
5 Five Forces Analysis: 5.1 Five forces summary; Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2023 and 2028; 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers; Bargaining power of buyers - Impact of key factors 2023 and 2028; 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers; Bargaining power of suppliers - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; 5.4 Threat of new entrants; Threat of new entrants - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; 5.5 Threat of substitutes; Threat of substitutes - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; 5.6 Threat of rivalry; Threat of rivalry - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; 5.7 Market condition; Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2023 and 2028
6 Market Segmentation by Application: 6.1 Market segments; Chart on Application - Market share 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Application - Market share 2023-2028 (%); 6.2 Comparison by Application; Chart on Comparison by Application; Data Table on Comparison by Application; 6.3 Personal care - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Personal care - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Personal care - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Personal care - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Personal care - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 6.4 Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 6.5 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 6.6 Textile - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Textile - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Textile - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Textile - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Textile - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 6.8 Market opportunity by Application; Market opportunity by Application ($ million); Data Table on Market opportunity by Application ($ million)
7 Customer Landscape: 7.1 Customer landscape overview; Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria
8 Geographic Landscape: 8.1 Geographic segmentation; Chart on Market share By Geographical Landscape 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Market share By Geographical Landscape 2023-2028 (%); 8.2 Geographic comparison; Chart on Geographic comparison; Data Table on Geographic comparison; 8.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.8 US - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.10 China - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.11 The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2023-2028; Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); 8.13 Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape; Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape ($ million); Data Tables on Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape ($ million)
9 Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunity/Restraints: 9.1 Market drivers; 9.2 Market challenges; 9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges; Impact of drivers and challenges in 2023 and 2028; 9.4 Market opportunities/restraints
10 Competitive Landscape: 10.1 Overview; 10.2 Competitive Landscape; Overview on criticality of inputs and factors of differentiation; 10.3 Landscape disruption; Overview on factors of disruption; 10.4 Industry risks; Impact of key risks on business
11 Competitive Analysis: 11.1 Companies profiled; Companies covered; 11.2 Market positioning of companies; Matrix on companies position and classification; 3F Industries Ltd.; 3F Industries Ltd. - Overview; 3F Industries Ltd. - Product / Service; 3F Industries Ltd. - Key offerings; 11.4 BASF SE; BASF SE - Overview; BASF SE - Business segments; BASF SE - Key news; BASF SE - Key offerings; BASF SE - Segment focus; 11.5 Cayman Chemical; Cayman Chemical - Overview; Cayman Chemical - Product / Service; Cayman Chemical - Key offerings; 11.6 ChemCeed; ChemCeed - Overview; ChemCeed - Product / Service; ChemCeed - Key offerings; 11.7 Croda International Plc; Croda International Plc - Overview; Croda International Plc - Business segments; Croda International Plc - Key news; Croda International Plc - Key offerings; Croda International Plc - Segment focus; 11.8 Emery Oleochemicals Group; Emery Oleochemicals Group - Overview; Emery Oleochemicals Group - Product / Service; Emery Oleochemicals Group - Key offerings; 11.9 Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Overview; Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Product / Service; Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Key offerings; 11.10 IOI Corp. Berhad; IOI Corp. Berhad - Overview; IOI Corp. Berhad - Business segments; IOI Corp. Berhad - Key offerings; IOI Corp. Berhad - Segment focus; 11.11 The Procter and Gamble Co.; The Procter and Gamble Co. - Overview; The Procter and Gamble Co. - Business segments; The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key news; The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key offerings; The Procter and Gamble Co. - Segment focus; 11.12 Wilmar International Ltd.; Wilmar International Ltd. - Overview; Wilmar International Ltd. - Business segments; Wilmar International Ltd. - Key offerings; Wilmar International Ltd. - Segment focus
12 Appendix: 12.1 Scope of the report; 12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist; Inclusions checklist; Exclusions checklist; 12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$; Currency conversion rates for US$; 12.4 Research methodology; Research methodology; 12.5 Data procurement; Information sources; 12.6 Data validation; Data validation; 12.7 Validation techniques employed for market sizing; Validation techniques employed for market sizing; 12.8 Data synthesis; Data synthesis; 12.9 360 degree market analysis; 360 degree market analysis; 12.10 List of abbreviations; List of abbreviations

Exhibits:: Exhibits1: Executive Summary - Chart on Market Overview; Exhibits2: Executive Summary - Data Table on Market Overview; Exhibits3: Executive Summary - Chart on Global Market Characteristics; Exhibits4: Executive Summary - Chart on Market By Geographical Landscape; Exhibits5: Executive Summary - Chart on Market Segmentation by Application; Exhibits6: Executive Summary - Chart on Incremental Growth; Exhibits7: Executive Summary - Data Table on Incremental Growth; Exhibits8: Executive Summary - Chart on Company Market Positioning; Exhibits9: Parent Market; Exhibits10: Data Table on - Parent Market; Exhibits11: Market characteristics analysis; Exhibits12: Value Chain Analysis; Exhibits13: Offerings of companies included in the market definition; Exhibits14: Market segments; Exhibits15: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits16: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits17: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits18: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits19: Historic Market Size - Data Table on Global Stearic Acid Market 2018 - 2022 ($ million); Exhibits20: Historic Market Size - Application Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million); Exhibits21: Historic Market Size - Geography Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million); Exhibits22: Historic Market Size - Country Segment 2018 - 2022 ($ million); Exhibits23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2023 and 2028; Exhibits24: Bargaining power of buyers - Impact of key factors 2023 and 2028; Exhibits25: Bargaining power of suppliers - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; Exhibits26: Threat of new entrants - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; Exhibits27: Threat of substitutes - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; Exhibits28: Threat of rivalry - Impact of key factors in 2023 and 2028; Exhibits29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2023 and 2028; Exhibits30: Chart on Application - Market share 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits31: Data Table on Application - Market share 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits32: Chart on Comparison by Application; Exhibits33: Data Table on Comparison by Application; Exhibits34: Chart on Personal care - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits35: Data Table on Personal care - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits36: Chart on Personal care - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits37: Data Table on Personal care - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits38: Chart on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits39: Data Table on Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits40: Chart on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits41: Data Table on Food and beverages - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits42: Chart on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits43: Data Table on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits44: Chart on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits45: Data Table on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits46: Chart on Textile - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits47: Data Table on Textile - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits48: Chart on Textile - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits49: Data Table on Textile - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits50: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits51: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits52: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits53: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits54: Market opportunity by Application ($ million); Exhibits55: Data Table on Market opportunity by Application ($ million); Exhibits56: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria; Exhibits57: Chart on Market share By Geographical Landscape 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits58: Data Table on Market share By Geographical Landscape 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits59: Chart on Geographic comparison; Exhibits60: Data Table on Geographic comparison; Exhibits61: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits62: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits63: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits64: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits65: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits66: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits67: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits68: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits69: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits70: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits71: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits72: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits73: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits74: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits75: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits76: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits77: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits78: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits79: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits80: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits81: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits82: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits83: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits84: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits85: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits86: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits87: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits88: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits93: Chart on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits94: Data Table on The Netherlands - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits95: Chart on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits96: Data Table on The Netherlands - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits97: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits98: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2023-2028 ($ million); Exhibits99: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits100: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2023-2028 (%); Exhibits101: Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape ($ million); Exhibits102: Data Tables on Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape ($ million); Exhibits103: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2023 and 2028; Exhibits104: Overview on criticality of inputs and factors of differentiation; Exhibits105: Overview on factors of disruption; Exhibits106: Impact of key risks on business; Exhibits107: Companies covered; Exhibits108: Matrix on companies position and classification; Exhibits109: 3F Industries Ltd. - Overview; Exhibits110: 3F Industries Ltd. - Product / Service; Exhibits111: 3F Industries Ltd. - Key offerings; Exhibits112: BASF SE - Overview; Exhibits113: BASF SE - Business segments; Exhibits114: BASF SE - Key news; Exhibits115: BASF SE - Key offerings; Exhibits116: BASF SE - Segment focus; Exhibits117: Cayman Chemical - Overview; Exhibits118: Cayman Chemical - Product / Service; Exhibits119: Cayman Chemical - Key offerings; Exhibits120: ChemCeed - Overview; Exhibits121: ChemCeed - Product / Service; Exhibits122: ChemCeed - Key offerings; Exhibits123: Croda International Plc - Overview; Exhibits124: Croda International Plc - Business segments; Exhibits125: Croda International Plc - Key news; Exhibits126: Croda International Plc - Key offerings; Exhibits127: Croda International Plc - Segment focus; Exhibits128: Emery Oleochemicals Group - Overview; Exhibits129: Emery Oleochemicals Group - Product / Service; Exhibits130: Emery Oleochemicals Group - Key offerings; Exhibits131: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Overview; Exhibits132: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Product / Service; Exhibits133: Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Key offerings; Exhibits134: IOI Corp. Berhad - Overview; Exhibits135: IOI Corp. Berhad - Business segments; Exhibits136: IOI Corp. Berhad - Key offerings; Exhibits137: IOI Corp. Berhad - Segment focus; Exhibits138: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Overview; Exhibits139: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Business segments; Exhibits140: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key news; Exhibits141: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key offerings; Exhibits142: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Segment focus; Exhibits143: Wilmar International Ltd. - Overview; Exhibits144: Wilmar International Ltd. - Business segments; Exhibits145: Wilmar International Ltd. - Key offerings; Exhibits146: Wilmar International Ltd. - Segment focus; Exhibits147: Inclusions checklist; Exhibits148: Exclusions checklist; Exhibits149: Currency conversion rates for US$; Exhibits150: Research methodology; Exhibits151: Information sources; Exhibits152: Data validation; Exhibits153: Validation techniques employed for market sizing; Exhibits154: Data synthesis; Exhibits155: 360 degree market analysis; Exhibits156: List of abbreviations