Butanediol Market Size

Global 1, 4-Butanediol Market Overview

The 1, 4-Butanediol Market Size was valued at USD 9.73 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 9.98 Billion in 2025 to USD 20.14 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% during the forecast period (2025 - 2034). The growth in emerging markets coupled with increasing demand for PU will bolster the growth of the global market.          Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

1, 4-Butanediol Market Trends

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  Increasing applications of 1, 4-Butanediol in various industrial processes

  
  


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  The growing demand for spandex in textiles

  
  

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Additionally, contrary to the above drivers some restraints are limiting the growth of the 1,4 butanediol market. The volatility in raw material prices will set back the growth of the market. Also, the manufacturing cost associated with the production of 1,4 butanediol may hamper the growth of the market in near future.

1, 4-Butanediol Market Segment Insights

1, 4-Butanediol Technology Insights

The 1, 4-Butanediol Market segmentation, based on Technology, includes Reppe Process, Davy Process, Propylene Oxide Process, Butadiene Process, and Others. Davy Process is expected to dominate the market. Davy’s process technology is also known as the maleic anhydride process. It has rapidly gained popularity over the past few years due to reduced complexity, equipment requirements, and capital costs. The maleic anhydride is converted to the ester, which undergoes hydrogenolysis in a fixed bed to form a mixture of 1,4-butanediol, THF, and GBL. 

1, 4-Butanediol Application Insights

Based on Application, the 1, 4-Butanediol Market segmentation includes Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), Polyurethanes (PU), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), and Others. The Tetrahydrofuran segment is dominating the global market with over 50% volume share in 2015 and is expected to maintain its prominent position. The THF is widely used in athletic and sportswear. The growing health, fitness, and sports awareness is raising segment growth. 

Figure 2: 1, 4-Butanediol Market, by Application, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)        

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

1, 4-Butanediol Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia-Pacific dominates in the consumption of butanediol and its end-use products on the back of huge population and markets growth in the developing countries in the region. The region is expected to witness healthy growth over the forecast period owing to the developments in the markets and increasing end-users. North America is the second largest consumer of butanediols and is expected to experience moderate growth over the forecast period due to the slow-down economic growth.

Figure 3: 1, 4-BUTANEDIOL MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)     

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe region is also expected to witness moderate growth with slightly high growths in central & eastern European regions. The Latin America market is expected to witness healthy growth over the forecast period with the improving socio-economic conditions in the region. The Middle East and Africa region accounts for less than 5% of the global butanediol consumption and the region is poised to witness moderate to high growth over the forecast period on the back of rising disposable income and a rising middle class.

1, 4-Butanediol Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the 1, 4-Butanediol market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the 1, 4-Butanediol industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for 1, 4-Butanediol. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their global presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the 1, 4-Butanediol industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the global 1, 4-Butanediol industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Low-Profile Additives market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major 1, 4-Butanediol market players, including BASF SE, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Ashland Inc, Bioamber Inc, Sipchem, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

BASF is a company that provides petrochemicals, intermediates, performance materials, monomers, dispersions and pigments, performance chemicals, catalysts, coatings, and care chemicals. It conducts its operations through six business segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition and Care, and Agricultural Solutions. The company serves transportation, energy, and resources

Also, Mitsubishi Chemical is a company that manufactures and distributes chemical products. It offers polymers, resins, high-performance chemicals, carbon fiber and composite materials, acrylic, acetate, polyester fibers, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, coating materials, agricultural materials, etc.

Key Companies in the 1, 4-Butanediol market include

• BASF SE


• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation


• Ashland Inc


• Bioamber Inc


• Sipchem


• LyondellBasell Industries N.V


• ExxonMobil Chemicals

1, 4-Butanediol Industry Developments

In the year 2021, HELM and Cargill decided to construct a bio-oriented intermediate manufacture firm at Cargill’s biotechnology campus and also a corn refining process operation in Eddyville, located in Iowa. The plant might be completed and working in 2024 to reach the demands of the product in the process of supply chains.

In the year 2021, Xinjiang Guotai Xinhua Chemical Company limited company begin the Coal-type Fine Chemicals Circular Economy in Industrial Park Phase II project to generate formaldehyde and acetylene through a formaldehyde plant and dry acetylene plant and manufacture hydrogen via a methanol cracking technique.

1, 4-Butanediol Market Segmentation

1, 4-Butanediol Technology Outlook

• Reppe Process


• Davy Process


• Propylene Oxide Process


• Others

1, 4-Butanediol Application Outlook

• Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)


• Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)


• Polyurethanes (PU)


• Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

1, 4-Butanediol Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America