Given their specific solvent properties, butanol (also known as n-butanol) and its derivatives are important ingredients of many paints and varnishes. While the use of solvent has, in general, declined due to a shift towards water-borne paints and varnishes, products based on butanol can also be used as coupling agent in water-borne formulations. Global demand for butanol rose by, on average, 2.7% p.a. between 2005 and 2013. This market report covers all relevant data and facts regarding the butanol market, market trends, market size and market growth.
Various Solvents are Dominating Application
Butanol is a higher alcohol that is mainly produced through oxo-synthesis of propylene. Almost 12% of total global butanol output are directly used as solvent. The largest share, amounting to almost 1.5 million tonnes in 2013, however, is consumed in manufacturing acrylate, which is used in water-borne paints but also detergents, adhesives, and textiles. The second most important application is the production of acetate, which is used as solvent in automotive coatings or as ingredient in a range of cosmetics and pharmaceutical drugs. Glycol ethers based on butanol are highly suitable for the use as solvent in water-borne varnishes, given their miscibility with water. Also, phthalates manufactured from butanol are playing an important role as plasticizer in the processing of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Growth Market Biobutanol
Besides the commercial use of butanol in chemical applications, this alcohol is also deemed to offer significant potential for the biofuel industry. Already existing and progressing technologies to produce biobutanol by the fermentation of biomass are increasingly becoming the center of attention. Butanol offers a range of advantages when compared to conventional biofuel made from ethanol: Butanol has a higher energy content and is easily miscible with diesel and gasoline. In addition, it can be combusted in conventional Otto-cycle engines without modifying the engine. Bioethanol, however, already is an established biofuel in Europe and North America, and a changeover of production facilities to manufacture biobutanol would be expensive. Another possibility is converting the bioethanol that is being produced into butanol. Adequate technologies, however, are still in the initial stages of development.
China Dominating Market
In 2013, Chinese processors consumed about the same amount of butanol as Western Europe and North America taken together. Ceresana forecasts demand for butanol on the saturated markets of Western Europe and North America to increase by only 0.4% and 0.5% p.a. respectively until 2021. As development in industrialized Asian countries such as Japan will falter as well, China will expand its dominating role on the market for butanol even further. The main motor of this growth is the construction sector, followed by the growth markets wood processing and the automotive industry. Demand for butanol on the part of Chinese processors is projected to amount to almost 1.64 million tonnes in 2021.
Contested Export Markets
Faced with an only moderate increase of demand or even a decline of market volume in many countries during the past eight year period, competition for access to exports markets in emerging countries increases. China is one of them, but also smaller markets such as Brazil. Yet as these countries already possess sufficient production capacities to satisfy domestic demand or are currently increasing them, an increasing surplus of butanol on the world market is the result. According to the analyses of experts at Ceresana, this trend will continue on the medium-term, resulting in a decline of capacity utilization; also, prices will not increase as rapidly as they had in the past. Countries reporting an excessive output of butanol are the USA in particular, exporting 213,000 tonnes of butanol in 2013, but also Russia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Africa.
The Study in Brief:
Chapter 1 is a description and analysis of the global market for butanol. Development of demand, revenues, and production is explained in detail. Additionally, data on existing and future production capacity is provided. This report also offers an extensive insight into the development in individual countries and regions.
Chapter 2 examines the 12 largest countries of the market in more detail and provides information on demand, revenues, production, import, and export of butanol as well as on current and future capacities. Information covering the applications acrylate, acetate, glycol ethers, solvents, plasticizers, and other applications is given as well.
Chapter 3 provides a detailed analysis of applications of butanol, e.g. its use in the manufacturing of acrylate and in other applications. This study contains data on demand development, split by Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East/Africa as well as consumption figures for individual countries in these regions.
Chapter 4 is a useful directory of producers, clearly arranged according to contact details, turnover, profit, product range, production sites, profile summary, product-specific information as well as existing and future capacities at individual production sites.
Extensive profiles of 37 manufacturers are provided, such as BASF SE, BASF Petronas Chemicals, The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Formosa Plastics Group, Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat JSC, KH Neochem Co., Ltd., OXEA S.à.r.l., PetroChina Company Limited, Sasol Limited, SINOPEC Corp.
(Note: Profiles are assigned to the country in which the company or holding is headquartered. Company profiles also include joint ventures and subsidiaries.)
1 Market Data
1.1 World
1.1.1 Demand
1.1.2 Revenues
1.1.3 Production and Capacities
1.2 Western Europe
1.2.1 Demand
1.2.2 Revenues
1.2.3 Production and Capacities
1.3 Eastern Europe
1.3.1 Demand
1.3.2 Revenues
1.3.3 Production and Capacities
1.4 North America
1.4.1 Demand
1.4.2 Revenues
1.4.3 Production and Capacities
1.5 South America
1.5.1 Demand
1.5.2 Revenues
1.5.3 Production and Capacities
1.6 Asia-Pacific
1.6.1 Demand
1.6.2 Revenues
1.6.3 Production and Capacities
1.7 Middle East and Africa
1.7.1 Demand
1.7.2 Revenues
1.7.3 Production and Capacities
2 Country Profiles
2.1 Western Europe
2.1.1 France
2.1.1.1 Demand and Revenues
2.1.1.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.1.2 Germany
2.1.2.1 Demand and Revenues
2.1.2.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.1.3 Rest of Western Europe
2.1.3.1 Demand and Revenues
2.1.3.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.2 Eastern Europe
2.2.1 Russia
2.2.1.1 Demand and Revenues
2.2.1.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.2.2 Rest of Eastern Europe
2.2.2.1 Demand and Revenues
2.2.2.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.3 North America
2.3.1 Canada and Mexico
2.3.1.1 Demand and Revenues
2.3.2 USA
2.3.2.1 Demand and Revenues
2.3.2.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.4 South America
2.4.1 Brazil
2.4.1.1 Demand and Revenues
2.4.1.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.4.2 Rest of South America
2.4.2.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5 Asia-Pacific
2.5.1 China
2.5.1.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.1.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.2 India
2.5.2.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.2.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.3 Japan
2.5.3.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.3.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.4 Malaysia
2.5.4.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.4.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.5 South Korea
2.5.5.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.5.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.6 Taiwan
2.5.6.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.6.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.7 Thailand
2.5.7.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.7.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
2.5.8 Rest of Asia-Pacific
2.5.8.1 Demand and Revenues
2.5.8.2 Production, Capacities, and Trade
3 Applications
3.1 World
3.1.1 Acrylates
3.1.2 Acetates
3.1.3 Glycol Ethers
3.1.4 Solvent
3.1.5 Plasticizers
3.1.6 Other Applications
3.2 Western Europe
3.3 Eastern Europe
3.4 North America
3.5 South America
3.6 Asia-Pacific
3.7 Middle East and Africa
4 Company Profiles
4.1 Western Europe
4.1.1 France (1 Producer)
4.1.2 Germany (1)
4.1.3 Luxembourg (1)
4.1.4 Sweden (1)
4.1.5 Switzerland (1)
4.2 Eastern Europe
4.2.1 Poland (1)
4.2.2 Romania (1)
4.3 North America
4.3.1 USA (2)
4.4 South America
4.4.1 Brazil (1)
4.5 Asia-Pacific
4.5.1 China (12)
4.4.2 India (1)
4.4.3 Japan (4)
4.4.4 Malaysia (2)
4.4.5 South Korea (2)
4.4.6 Taiwan (1)
4.4.7 Thailand (1)
4.6 Middle East
4.6.1 Saudi Arabia (3)
4.7 Africa
4.7.1 South Africa (1)
Graph 1: Worldwide butanol demand from 2005 to 2021
Graph 2: Worldwide butanol demand from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 3: Worldwide butanol revenues from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 4: Euro-reference rate between 2005 and 2013: US$ per €
Graph 5: Worldwide butanol revenues from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ - split by region
Graph 6: Worldwide butanol revenues from 2005 to 2021 in billion € - split by region
Graph 7: Worldwide butanol production from 2005 to 2021
Graph 8: Worldwide butanol production from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 9: Butanol demand in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 10: Butanol revenues in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 11: Butanol production in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 12: Butanol demand in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 13: Butanol revenues in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 14: Butanol production in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 15: Butanol demand in North America from 2005 to 2021
Graph 16: Butanol revenues in North America from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 17: Butanol production in North America from 2005 to 2021
Graph 18: Butanol demand in South America from 2005 to 2021
Graph 19: Butanol revenues in South America from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 20: Butanol production in South America from 2005 to 2021
Graph 21: Butanol demand in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021
Graph 22: Butanol revenues in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ and billion €
Graph 23: Butanol production in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021
Graph 24: Butanol demand in the Middle East and Africa from 2005 to 2021
Graph 25: Butanol revenues in the Middle East and Africa from 2005 to 2021 in billion US$ und billion €
Graph 26: Butanol production in the Middle East and Africa from 2005 to 2021
Graph 31: Butanol demand in France from 2005 to 2021
Graph 32: Butanol revenues in France from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 33: Butanol production in France from 2005 to 2021
Graph 34: Butanol import and export in France from 2005 to 2021
Graph 27: Butanol demand in Germany from 2005 to 2021
Graph 28: Butanol revenues in Germany from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 29: Butanol production in Germany from 2005 to 2021
Graph 30: Butanol import and export in Germany from 2005 to 2021
Graph 35: Butanol demand in the rest of Western Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 36: Butanol revenues in the rest of Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 37: Butanol production in the rest of Western Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 38: Butanol import and export in the rest of Western Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 39: Butanol demand in Russia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 40: Butanol revenues in Russia from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 41: Butanol production in Russia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 42: Butanol import and export in Russia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 43: Butanol demand in the rest of Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 44: Butanol revenues in the rest of Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 45: Butanol production in the rest of Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 46: Butanol import and export in the rest of Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021
Graph 47: Butanol demand in Canada and Mexico from 2005 to 2021
Graph 48: Butanol revenues in Canada and Mexico from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 49: Butanol demand in the USA from 2005 to 2021
Graph 50: Butanol revenues in the USA from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 51: Butanol production in the USA from 2005 to 2021
Graph 52: Butanol import and export in the USA from 2005 to 2021
Graph 53: Butanol demand in Brazil from 2005 to 2021
Graph 54: Butanol revenues in Brazil from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 55: Butanol production in Brazil from 2005 to 2021
Graph 56: Butanol import and export in Brazil from 2005 to 2021
Graph 57: Butanol demand in the rest of South America from 2005 to 2021
Graph 58: Butanol revenues in the rest of South America from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 59: Butanol demand in China from 2005 to 2021
Graph 60: Butanol revenues in China from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 61: Butanol production in China from 2005 to 2021
Graph 62: Butanol import and export in China from 2005 to 2021
Graph 63: Butanol demand in India from 2005 to 2021
Graph 64: Butanol revenues in India from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 65: Butanol production in India from 2005 to 2021
Graph 66: Butanol import and export in India from 2005 to 2021
Graph 67: Butanol demand in Japan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 68: Butanol revenues in Japan from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 69: Butanol production in Japan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 70: Butanol import and export in Japan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 71: Butanol demand in Malaysia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 72: Butanol revenues in Malaysia from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 73: Butanol production in Malaysia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 74: Butanol import and export in Malaysia from 2005 to 2021
Graph 75: Butanol demand in South Korea from 2005 to 2021
Graph 76: Butanol revenues in South Korea from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 77: Butanol production in South Korea from 2005 to 2021
Graph 78: Butanol import and export in South Korea from 2005 to 2021
Graph 79: Butanol demand in Taiwan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 80: Butanol revenues in Taiwan from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 81: Butanol production in Taiwan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 82: Butanol import and export in Taiwan from 2005 to 2021
Graph 83: Butanol demand in Thailand from 2005 to 2021
Graph 84: Butanol revenues in Thailand from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 85: Butanol production in Thailand from 2005 to 2021
Graph 86: Butanol import and export in Thailand from 2005 to 2021
Graph 87: Butanol demand in the rest of Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021
Graph 88: Butanol revenues in the rest of Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ and million €
Graph 89: Butanol production in the rest of Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021
Graph 90: Butanol import and export in the rest of Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021
Graph 91: Worldwide butanol demand from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 92: Worldwide butanol demand in acrylate from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 93: Worldwide butanol demand in acetate from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 94: Worldwide butanol demand in glycol ethers from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 95: Worldwide demand for butanol as direct solvent from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 96: Worldwide butanol demand in plasticizers from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 97: Worldwide butanol demand in other applications from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Graph 98: Butanol demand in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 99: Butanol demand in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 100: Butanol demand in North America from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 101: Butanol demand in South America from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 102: Butanol demand in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Graph 103: Butanol demand in the Middle East and Africa from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 1: Worldwide butanol demand from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 2: Worldwide butanol revenues from 2005 to 2021 in million US$ - split by region
Table 3: Worldwide butanol revenues from 2005 to 2021 in million € - split by region
Table 4: Worldwide butanol production from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 5: Worldwide butanol capacity in 2013 - split by region
Table 6: Changes in worldwide butanol capacity by 2021 - split by region
Table 7: Butanol demand in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 8: Butanol production in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 9: Butanol capacity in Western Europe in 2013 - split by country
Table 10: Butanol demand in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 11: Butanol production in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 12: Butanol capacity in Eastern Europe in 2013 - split by country
Table 13: Butanol demand in North America from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 14: Butanol production in North America from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 15: Butanol demand in South America from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 16: Butanol production in South America from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 17: Butanol demand in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 18: Butanol production in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 - split by major countries
Table 19: Butanol capacity in Asia-Pacific in 2013 - split by country
Table 20: Butanol capacity in Germany in 2013 - split by producer
Table 21: Butanol capacity in Russia in 2013 - split by producer
Table 22: Butanol capacity in the USA in 2013 - split by producer
Table 23: Butanol capacity in China in 2013 - split by producer
Table 24: Changes in butanol capacity in China - split by producer
Table 25: Butanol capacity in Japan in 2013 - split by producer
Table 26: Butanol capacity in Malaysia in 2013 - split by producer
Table 27: Butanol capacity in South Korea in 2013 - split by producer
Table 28: Worldwide butanol demand from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 29: Worldwide butanol demand in acrylate from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 30: Worldwide butanol demand in acetate from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 31: Worldwide butanol demand in glycol ethers from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 32: Worldwide demand for butanol as direct solvent from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 33: Worldwide butanol demand in plasticizers from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 34: Worldwide butanol demand in other applications from 2005 to 2021 - split by region
Table 35: Butanol demand in Western Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 36: Butanol demand in Eastern Europe from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 37: Butanol demand in North America from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 38: Butanol demand in South America from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 39: Butanol demand in Asia-Pacific from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
Table 40: Butanol demand in the Middle East and Africa from 2005 to 2021 - split by applications
