Butanol price index

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Butanol price index

This post is a summary of the Butanol/Butyl alcohol price developments. The price developments of Butanol/Butyl alcohol are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Butanol/Butyl alcohol price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for Butanol/Butyl alcohol prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of Butanol/Butyl alcohol prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of Butanol/Butyl alcohol
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of Butanol/Butyl alcohol prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the Butanol/Butyl alcohol market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

Further sources of information on the Butanol price index

What is Butanol

Butanol, also known as butyl alcohol, is a chemical compound with the formula C4H10O. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent smell and a burning taste. Butanol is highly flammable and can be dangerous if handled improperly.

The term “butyl alcohol” actually refers to a family of four different isomeric alcohols, each with a different arrangement of atoms. These isomers are n-butanol (also known as 1-butanol), sec-butanol (2-butanol), isobutanol (2-methyl-1-propanol), and tert-butanol (2-methyl-2-propanol).

The term “butanol” can refer to any of these four isomers, although it is most commonly used to refer specifically to n-butanol. Therefore, “butanol” and “butyl alcohol” are essentially interchangeable terms, and both refer to the same family of four isomeric alcohols.

How is Butanol produced

n-Butanol, also known as 1-butanol, can be produced through several different methods. One common method is through the hydroformylation of propylene, which is a process that involves the reaction of propylene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form butanal. Butanal is then hydrogenated to form n-butanol.

Another method for producing n-butanol is through the fermentation of sugars, starches, or cellulose-containing materials using certain types of bacteria. This is known as the ABE (acetone-butanol-ethanol) fermentation process. In this process, the bacteria convert the sugars into a mixture of acetone, butanol, and ethanol, which can then be separated and purified to obtain n-butanol.

A third method for producing n-butanol is through the hydrolysis of butyl acetate, which is a process that involves the reaction of butyl acetate with water to form n-butanol and acetic acid.

Overall, the choice of production method for n-butanol depends on a variety of factors, including the desired purity of the product, the cost and availability of raw materials, and the scale of production.

How is Butanol produced through the fermentation process

The fermentation process typically involves the following steps:

Preparation of the feedstock

The feedstock for butanol fermentation is typically a sugar or a starch, such as corn, wheat, or molasses. The feedstock is ground and mixed with water to form a slurry, which is then heated to convert the sugars or starch to simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose.

Fermentation

The simple sugars are then fermented by microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce butanol and other products. The microorganisms are added to the slurry in the form of a starter culture and are allowed to grow and multiply. The fermentation process is typically carried out at a controlled temperature and pH to optimize the production of butanol.

Separation and purification

The butanol is then separated from the other products of fermentation, typically by distillation. The butanol is then purified and concentrated to give the final product.

What is Butanol used for

Butanol has a number of industrial uses, including:

Solvent

Butanol is used as a solvent in a variety of applications, including the production of paints, coatings, inks, and adhesives.

Feedstock

Butanol is used as a feedstock for the production of a variety of chemicals, including butyl acetate, butyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexanol.

Fuel

Butanol can be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines and can be blended with gasoline to improve its performance.

Other uses

Butanol is also used in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other products.

What different types of Butanol are there

There are several types of butanol that are used in industry and research:

Primary butanol

This is the most common form of butanol, with the formula C4H10O. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent smell and a burning taste.

Secondary butanol

This is a type of butanol with the formula C4H10O that has two carbon atoms on the same side of the molecule. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent smell and a burning taste.

Tertiary butanol

This is a type of butanol with the formula C4H10O that has three carbon atoms on the same side of the molecule. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent smell and a burning taste.

Butyl acetate

This is a type of butanol derivative with the formula C6H12O2. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, fruity smell and is used as a solvent and a feedstock for the production of other chemicals.

Butyl acrylate

This is a type of butanol derivative with the formula C6H10O2. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent smell and is used as a monomer in the production of polymers and resins.

2-Ethylhexanol

This is a type of butanol derivative with the formula C8H18O. It is a colorless liquid with

How big is the Butanol market

The global butanol market is valued at billions of dollars and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing demand for butanol as a solvent, a feedstock for the production of chemicals, and a fuel. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for butanol, followed by North America and Europe.

The demand for butanol is driven by a number of factors, including the increasing use of butanol as a solvent in the production of paints, coatings, inks, and adhesives, and the growing use of butanol as a feedstock for the production of chemicals, such as butyl acetate and butyl acrylate. The use of butanol as a fuel is also expected to increase in the coming years due to its potential as a renewable alternative to gasoline.

According to https://oec.world/ :

N-butyl alcohol are the world’s 2563rd most traded product.

In 2020, the top exporters of N-butyl alcohol were South Africa ($117M), Chinese Taipei ($108M), Malaysia ($60.9M), Saudi Arabia ($60.6M), and United States ($57.3M).

In 2020, the top importers of N-butyl alcohol were China ($183M), Belgium ($77.6M), Germany ($66.4M), India ($38.7M), and South Korea ($31.8M).

Further information

• Wikipedia for general, history, production and usage information
• PubChem for chemistry and property  information