Furfuryl alcohol price index

Furfuryl alcohol price index

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

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

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

Further information on the Furfuryl alcohol price index

 

What is Furfuryl alcohol

Furfuryl alcohol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H6O2. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a faint, characteristic odor. Furfuryl alcohol is derived from furfural, which is obtained from natural sources such as corncobs, sugarcane bagasse, or wood.

Furfuryl alcohol has several industrial applications, including:

Resins

Furfuryl alcohol is a key raw material for the production of furan resins. These resins are thermosetting polymers that exhibit excellent resistance to heat, water, and chemicals. Furan resins are used in foundry sand binders, abrasives, friction materials, and as coatings for corrosion protection.

Foundry Binders

Furfuryl alcohol-based resins are widely used as binders in foundry sand casting. These resins provide good sand consolidation properties and help produce high-quality castings with smooth surfaces and dimensional accuracy.

Adhesives

Furfuryl alcohol is used in the production of adhesives and bonding agents for wood, paper, and composite materials. Furan-based adhesives offer high strength, durability, and resistance to moisture and chemicals.

Solvent

Furfuryl alcohol can act as a solvent for various organic compounds, including resins, polymers, and oils. It is used in industrial cleaning applications and as a solvent for extraction processes.

Chemical Intermediates

Furfuryl alcohol is a versatile chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of other organic compounds. It can undergo various chemical reactions, including hydrogenation, esterification, and polymerization, to produce a wide range of derivatives for different applications.

Flavor and Fragrance

Furfuryl alcohol is sometimes used in small quantities as a flavoring agent or fragrance ingredient in food products, beverages, and perfumes. Its distinctive aroma can impart a pleasant, caramel-like note to certain formulations.

Furfuryl alcohol is considered a hazardous substance and should be handled with care due to its flammable and potentially toxic properties. Proper safety measures and protective equipment are necessary when working with furfuryl alcohol to minimize risks to health and safety.

 

How is Furfuryl alcohol produced

Furfuryl alcohol is primarily produced from furfural, which is obtained from natural sources such as corncobs, sugarcane bagasse, or wood. The production process typically involves the following steps:

Hydrolysis

Furfural is hydrolyzed using an acid or base catalyst to yield furfuryl alcohol. In this step, the furan ring in furfural is opened, and a hydroxymethyl group (-CH2OH) is added to the molecule.

Neutralization

The resulting furfuryl alcohol is neutralized to remove any excess acid or base catalyst used in the hydrolysis reaction.

Purification

The crude furfuryl alcohol is then purified through distillation or other separation techniques to obtain the desired product with the desired purity and concentration.

The production of furfuryl alcohol is an important industrial process, and the resulting product is used in various applications, including resin production, adhesives, solvents, and chemical synthesis.

 

What are the properties of Furfuryl alcohol

Furfuryl alcohol possesses several key properties that make it valuable for various industrial applications:

Chemical Structure

Furfuryl alcohol has a chemical formula of C5H6O2 and a molecular weight of 98.1 g/mol. It consists of a furan ring with a hydroxymethyl group (-CH2OH) attached to the carbon atom in the furan ring.

Physical State

Furfuryl alcohol is typically a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a faint, characteristic odor. It is miscible with water and many organic solvents.

Reactivity

Furfuryl alcohol is highly reactive and can undergo various chemical transformations. It can undergo polymerization reactions to form furan resins, and it can participate in esterification, hydrogenation, and other organic synthesis reactions.

Flammability

Furfuryl alcohol is flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. Proper handling and storage precautions are necessary to prevent fire hazards.

Solvent Properties

Furfuryl alcohol exhibits solvent properties and can dissolve a wide range of organic compounds, including resins, polymers, and oils. It is used as a solvent in industrial cleaning, extraction, and synthesis processes.

Heat Resistance

Furfuryl alcohol-based materials, such as furan resins, exhibit excellent heat resistance and can withstand high temperatures without degradation. This property makes them suitable for applications in foundry sand casting and other high-temperature environments.

Chemical Stability

Furfuryl alcohol is relatively stable under normal storage and handling conditions. However, it can undergo polymerization reactions over time, especially in the presence of acids or bases, which can lead to the formation of solid polymeric materials.

 

How big is the global Furfuryl alcohol market

The global market size for furfuryl alcohol was estimated to be in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars annually. However, the exact size of the market can vary depending on factors such as demand from end-user industries, pricing trends, supply chain dynamics, and economic conditions.

The demand for furfuryl alcohol is driven by its versatile properties and wide range of applications across industries such as foundry, chemical synthesis, resin production, and pharmaceuticals. Growth in end-user industries, technological advancements, and increasing awareness about sustainable and bio-based materials are expected to drive further growth in the furfuryl alcohol market.

It’s worth noting that the furfuryl alcohol market is influenced by various factors, including raw material availability (such as furfural), regulatory policies, and competition from alternative materials. Additionally, market size estimations may vary depending on different sources and methodologies used for analysis.

According to https://oec.world/en:

In 2021 Furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol were the world’s 3468th most traded product (out of 4,641).

In 2021, the top exporters of Furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol were China ($197M), Belgium ($24.6M), Netherlands ($17.2M), United States ($10.3M), and Thailand ($7.97M).

In 2021, the top importers of Furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol were Japan ($40.5M), Chinese Taipei ($27.2M), South Korea ($26.7M), Germany ($24.1M), and India ($16.5M).