CEH Report
Table of Contents
Abstract
The C1-C4 alkyl acetates discussed in this report include methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate and isobutyl acetate.
Despite the economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, alkyl acetate consumption increased at an average annual rate of 1.6% from 2006 to 2009, mainly because of strong growth in Asia, particularly in China.
Five out of the six largest alkyl acetate producers in terms of capacity are located in China. Within the last three years, more large companies have been formed covering a higher share of total global capacity. Shanghai Huayi Group Company is currently building a new ethyl acetate plant with a capacity of 300 thousand metric tons, which would turn the company into the largest global alkyl acetates producer. Full production is expected in 2010.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of alkyl acetates:
Demand for most downstream markets for C 1-C 4 alkyl acetates is greatly influenced by general economic conditions. Consumption of C 1-C 4 alkyl acetates depends heavily on construction/remodeling activity, automotive production and refinishing activity, and original equipment manufacture (OEM). Demand for C 1-C 4 alkyl acetates in inks tends to be more recession-resistant, as most rotogravure and flexographic inks are used in publications and food and beverage packaging.
An average annual growth rate of 2.9% for the next five years is forecast. Asia (excluding Japan) is expected to show the highest growth rate of 4.4%. Asian markets for ethyl acetate (excluding Japan) are triple those of Western Europe, mainly because of China.