Butadiene price April 2024 and outlook (see chart below)
- North America:US$0.64/KG, unchanged
- Europe:US$0.94/KG, -1.1% down
- Northeast Asia:US$1.48/KG, 0.7% up
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Butadiene price index
This post is a summary of the butadiene (1,3-butadiene or buta-1,3-diene) price developments. The price developments of butadiene are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Butadiene (1,3-butadiene or buta-1,3-diene) price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.
The outlook for butadiene prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:
- Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of butadiene (1,3-butadiene or buta-1,3-diene) prices
- Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of butadiene
- Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of butadiene (1,3-butadiene or buta-1,3-diene) prices
- Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the acetic acid market
- Longer term trends in likely demand conditions
Further information on the Butadiene price index
What is Butadiene
Butadiene (also known as buta-1,3-diene) is a chemical compound with the formula C4H6. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and has a sweet, pungent smell. Butadiene is highly reactive and can be dangerous if handled improperly.
Butadiene is produced from the cracking of naphtha, a liquid hydrocarbon mixture that is derived from petroleum. It is also produced from the cracking of natural gas liquids, such as propane and butane. Butadiene is an important feedstock for the production of a variety of chemicals, including synthetic rubber, plastics, resins, and fibers.
How is Butadiene produced
There are several methods for producing butadiene, including steam cracking, catalytic cracking, and gas phase cracking. The most common method for producing butadiene is steam cracking, which involves heating a feedstock, such as naphtha or natural gas liquids, to a high temperature in the presence of steam.
During steam cracking, the feedstock is broken down into smaller molecules, including butadiene. The butadiene is then separated from the other products and purified for use. Other methods for producing butadiene include catalytic cracking, which involves the use of a catalyst to facilitate the breakdown of the feedstock, and gas phase cracking, which involves the breakdown of the feedstock in the gas phase using heat and pressure.
It is worth noting that the production of butadiene is energy-intensive and generates a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, efforts are being made to develop more sustainable methods for producing butadiene and other chemicals.
What is Butadiene used for
Butadiene has a number of industrial uses, including:
Synthetic rubber production
Butadiene is used in the production of synthetic rubber, which is used to make tires, hoses, belts, and other rubber products.
Plastics production
Butadiene is used in the production of a variety of plastics, including polybutadiene, a type of rubber used in the production of sporting goods and automotive parts.
Resins production
Butadiene is used in the production of resins, which are used to make coatings, adhesives, and other products.
Fibers production
Butadiene is used in the production of fibers, including nylon and spandex.
Butadiene is also used as a chemical intermediate in the production of other chemicals, such as acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride.
What types of Butadiene are there
There are several types of butadiene that are used in industry and research:
Normal butadiene
This is the most common form of butadiene, with the formula C4H6. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and has a sweet, pungent smell.
Isoprene
This is a type of butadiene with the formula C5H8. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature and is used in the production of synthetic rubber, resins, and other chemicals.
Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
This is a synthetic rubber that is produced by copolymerizing butadiene with styrene. It is used in the production of tires, hoses, belts, and other rubber products.
Polybutadiene
This is a type of polymer that is produced from butadiene monomers. It is used in the production of rubber products, coatings, and adhesives.
Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)
This is a synthetic rubber that is produced by copolymerizing butadiene with acrylonitrile. It is used in the production of seals, gaskets, hoses, and other rubber products.
Butadiene derivatives
Butadiene can also be used to produce a variety of derivatives, including butadiene-based resins, fibers, and plastics.
How big is the Butadiene market
The global butadiene market is valued at billions of dollars and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing demand for synthetic rubber, plastics, and other butadiene-based products. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for butadiene, followed by Europe and North America.
The demand for butadiene is driven by a number of factors, including the growing demand for synthetic rubber, particularly in the automotive and construction industries, and the increasing demand for butadiene-based plastics and resins in a variety of applications.
According to https://oec.world/ :
Buta-1, 3-diene and isoprene are the world’s 1429th most traded product.
In 2020, the top exporters of Buta-1, 3-diene and isoprene were Netherlands ($314M), Germany ($197M), Brazil ($119M), South Korea ($114M), and Singapore ($103M).
In 2020, the top importers of Buta-1, 3-diene and isoprene were South Korea ($277M), China ($219M), United States ($194M), Netherlands ($145M), and Chinese Taipei ($140M).
Further information
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