Butanol Market

The global butanol market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted growth in volume and value. Despite a decline in consumption and production in 2022, overall trends show a steady increase in global consumption. China, the United States, and India are the top consuming countries, while the United States, China, and Malaysia lead in production. Import and export trends also show fluctuations, with China and Malaysia being major exporters. Butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) is the dominant product in terms of consumption and production, while butanols (excluding butan-1-ol) show slower growth rates. Average import and export prices have seen variations over the years, with butan-1-ol commanding the highest prices. Belgium and the United Arab Emirates have recorded notable growth in import prices, while Taiwan (Chinese) has shown growth in export values.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for butanol worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Butanol

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was decline in consumption of butanol, when its volume decreased by -3.5% to 4.2M tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 4.4M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

The global butanol market size shrank to $6B in 2022, declining by -5.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $6.4B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (814K tons), the United States (687K tons) and India (324K tons), with a combined 43% share of global consumption. Japan, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, Turkey, the UK, Malaysia, South Africa and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Malaysia (with a CAGR of +16.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.1B), the United States ($621M) and India ($523M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 37% share of the global market. The UK, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Italy, Turkey, Malaysia and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Malaysia, with a CAGR of +13.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of butanol per capita consumption in 2022 were Malaysia (2.7 kg per person), South Korea (2.6 kg per person) and Germany (2.2 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

Butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (3.2M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 74% of total volume. Moreover, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (1.1M tons), threefold.

For butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol), consumption increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022.

In value terms, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($4.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) ($1.4B).

For butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol), market increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022.

Production

World Production of Butanol

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in production of butanol, when its volume decreased by -3.1% to 4.1M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 4.2M tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, butanol production totaled $4.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 10%. Global production peaked at $4.9B in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (691K tons), China (596K tons) and Malaysia (251K tons), together accounting for 37% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +20.1%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

Butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (3.1M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 73% of total volume. Moreover, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (1.1M tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the volume of butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) production totaled +2.2%.

In value terms, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($3.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) ($1.4B).

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) production totaled +1.3%.

Imports

World Imports of Butanol

In 2022, purchases abroad of butanol decreased by -17.7% to 1.2M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, imports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 1.7M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, butanol imports shrank to $1.6B in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 76%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $2.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (253K tons), distantly followed by Belgium (140K tons), South Korea (134K tons), the United States (110K tons), Germany (104K tons) and India (98K tons) were the major importers of butanol, together constituting 71% of total imports. Singapore (34K tons), Brazil (30K tons), Indonesia (28K tons), Thailand (24K tons), Italy (22K tons) and the United Arab Emirates (22K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +13.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($272M), Belgium ($217M) and Germany ($162M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 41% share of global imports. The United States, India, South Korea, Brazil, Singapore, Italy, Indonesia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +10.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (703K tons) represented the key type of butanol, generating 59% of total imports. It was distantly followed by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (480K tons), generating a 41% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading imported products, was attained by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (with a CAGR of -1.6%).

In value terms, the largest types of imported butanol were butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($994M) and butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) ($583M).

Among the main imported products, butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)), with a CAGR of -2.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices By Type

The average butanol import price stood at $1,333 per ton in 2022, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 49%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($1,415 per ton), while the price for butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) stood at $1,213 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (+0.8%).

Import Prices By Country

The average butanol import price stood at $1,333 per ton in 2022, rising by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 49% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($1,961 per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($873 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+2.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Butanol

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of butanol, when their volume decreased by -18% to 1.1M tons. Overall, exports saw a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 1.5M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, butanol exports reduced to $1.3B in 2022. In general, exports saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $1.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Malaysia (163K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (143K tons), South Africa (125K tons), the United States (114K tons), Belgium (91K tons), the Netherlands (83K tons), Russia (80K tons) and Germany (63K tons) represented the main exporter of butanol in the world, committing 81% of total export.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Malaysia ($172M), Taiwan (Chinese) ($166M) and Belgium ($151M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 37% of global exports.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +10.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Exports By Type

In 2022, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (565K tons), followed by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (506K tons) were the key types of butanol, together making up 100% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exported products, was attained by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (with a CAGR of -0.1%).

In value terms, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($746M) and butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) ($576M) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)), with a CAGR of -1.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review.

Export Prices By Type

The average butanol export price stood at $1,235 per ton in 2022, picking up by 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 52%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($1,321 per ton), while the average price for exports of butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) totaled $1,139 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (+1.0%).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average butanol export price amounted to $1,235 per ton, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 52%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,649 per ton), while the United States ($951 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform