Butene And Isomers Thereof Market

The article discusses the depressed global market for butene and its isomers, with a forecasted decline in consumption trend over the next eight years. Consumption peaked in 2012 at 68M tons but has since declined to 29M tons in 2022. The market value is projected to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -0.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030. The largest consumers and producers of butene include China, the United States, and India. The article also covers trends in production, imports, and exports of butene and its isomers, with detailed analysis of prices, volumes, and key players in the market.

Market Forecast

Depressed by shrinking demand for butene and isomers thereof worldwide, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -0.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 29M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $50.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Butene (Butylene) And Isomers Thereof

In 2022, consumption of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof was finally on the rise to reach 29M tons after nine years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep downturn. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 68M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global butene and isomers thereof market size contracted modestly to $43.5B in 2022, flattening at 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). Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the market value increased by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $98.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (8M tons), the United States (4.7M tons) and India (3.3M tons), with a combined 55% share of global consumption. Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +0.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest butene and isomers thereof markets worldwide were China ($10.9B), India ($7.9B) and the United States ($4.5B), with a combined 54% share of the global market. Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Germany and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Germany, with a CAGR of -0.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of butene and isomers thereof per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (14 kg per person), Germany (9.1 kg per person) and Russia (7 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +0.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Butene (Butylene) And Isomers Thereof

After nine years of decline, production of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof increased by 3% to 29M tons in 2022. Overall, production, however, recorded a deep setback. Global production peaked at 69M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, butene and isomers thereof production reduced to $43.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 4.7%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $98.5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (7.9M tons), the United States (4.9M tons) and India (3.3M tons), with a combined 55% share of global production. Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, Japan and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +1.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Butene (Butylene) And Isomers Thereof

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof, when their volume decreased by -14.9% to 618K tons. Overall, imports saw a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 856K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, butene and isomers thereof imports rose significantly to $832M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $1.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Canada (144K tons), distantly followed by Belgium (94K tons), China (54K tons), Germany (42K tons), Thailand (34K tons), Afghanistan (32K tons), the Netherlands (31K tons) and Switzerland (28K tons) represented the largest importers of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof, together constituting 74% of total imports. The following importers - the United Arab Emirates (26K tons), France (22K tons), Japan (17K tons), Malaysia (16K tons) and Indonesia (15K tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +29.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($201M), Belgium ($129M) and China ($74M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 49% of global imports. Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand, Switzerland, France, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +25.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average butene and isomers thereof import price amounted to $1,346 per ton, increasing by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $1,494 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($1,760 per ton), while Afghanistan ($472 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Afghanistan (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Butene (Butylene) And Isomers Thereof

In 2022, global exports of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof declined to 862K tons, shrinking by -4.6% against the year before. In general, exports saw a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 9.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 1.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, butene and isomers thereof exports soared to $1.1B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 45%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $1.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Belgium (165K tons) and the United States (152K tons) were the largest exporters of butene (butylene) and isomers thereof in 2022, accounting for approx. 19% and 18% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by South Korea (100K tons), the Netherlands (90K tons), Iran (89K tons), Indonesia (82K tons) and Germany (74K tons), together mixing up a 51% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iran (with a CAGR of +53.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest butene and isomers thereof supplying countries worldwide were Belgium ($235M), the United States ($220M) and the Netherlands ($128M), with a combined 54% share of global exports. South Korea, Germany, Indonesia and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Among the main exporting countries, Iran, with a CAGR of +38.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average butene and isomers thereof export price amounted to $1,250 per ton, increasing by 26% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, butene and isomers thereof export price increased by +66.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 32%. The global export price peaked at $1,254 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($1,475 per ton), while Iran ($575 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.2%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform