Market overview
The global butanol market is worth USD 5.4 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 8.7 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Butyl acrylate is the largest by application segment.
| Scope | Butanol (n-butanol and isobutanol) sold as a solvent and chemical intermediate for acrylates, glycol ethers, coatings, plasticisers and acetates. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 5.2 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 5.4 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 8.7 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 4,750 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 6,738 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,144 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Butanol market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 5.4 bn |
| 2027 | USD 5.7 bn |
| 2028 | USD 6.0 bn |
| 2029 | USD 6.3 bn |
| 2030 | USD 6.6 bn |
| 2031 | USD 6.9 bn |
| 2032 | USD 7.2 bn |
| 2033 | USD 7.5 bn |
| 2034 | USD 7.9 bn |
| 2035 | USD 8.3 bn |
| 2036 | USD 8.7 bn |
Butanol market segmentation
By application
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butyl acrylate | 36.0% | 39.2% | USD 2.0 bn | 5.7% |
| Solvents and coatings | 22.0% | 20.4% | USD 1.2 bn | 4.0% |
| Glycol ethers | 12.0% | 11.1% | USD 652 mn | 4.0% |
| Butyl acetate | 10.0% | 9.4% | USD 543 mn | 4.2% |
| Plasticisers | 8.0% | 6.9% | USD 435 mn | 3.2% |
| Other | 12.0% | 13.1% | USD 652 mn | 5.7% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paints and coatings | 32.0% | 30.8% | USD 1.7 bn | 4.4% |
| Adhesives and sealants | 16.0% | 17.3% | USD 869 mn | 5.6% |
| Plastics and polymers | 18.0% | 17.7% | USD 978 mn | 4.6% |
| Textiles | 9.0% | 8.4% | USD 489 mn | 4.1% |
| Pharmaceuticals and personal care | 8.0% | 8.6% | USD 435 mn | 5.6% |
| Other | 17.0% | 17.2% | USD 924 mn | 4.9% |
By isomer
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n-Butanol | 76.0% | 74.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 4.5% |
| Isobutanol | 17.0% | 18.0% | USD 924 mn | 5.4% |
| Secondary and tertiary butanol | 7.0% | 8.0% | USD 380 mn | 6.2% |
By production route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxo process (propylene) | 88.0% | 84.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 4.3% |
| Reppe and other petrochemical routes | 8.0% | 7.0% | USD 435 mn | 3.4% |
| Bio-based fermentation | 4.0% | 9.0% | USD 217 mn | 13.7% |
By supply mode
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captive and integrated | 44.0% | 41.0% | USD 2.4 bn | 4.1% |
| Merchant contract | 40.0% | 40.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 4.8% |
| Spot and traded | 16.0% | 19.0% | USD 869 mn | 6.6% |
Top 25 countries for butanol by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 80.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 2.0 bn | 36.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 5.3% |
| 2 | United States | USD 652 mn | 12.0% | USD 929 mn | 3.6% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 326 mn | 6.0% | USD 443 mn | 3.1% |
| 4 | India | USD 326 mn | 6.0% | USD 651 mn | 7.2% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 272 mn | 5.0% | USD 399 mn | 3.9% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 217 mn | 4.0% | USD 295 mn | 3.1% |
| 7 | Brazil | USD 163 mn | 3.0% | USD 252 mn | 4.5% |
| 8 | Indonesia | USD 163 mn | 3.0% | USD 295 mn | 6.1% |
| 9 | Taiwan | USD 163 mn | 3.0% | USD 234 mn | 3.7% |
| 10 | Netherlands | USD 136 mn | 2.5% | USD 182 mn | 3.0% |
| 11 | France | USD 69 mn | 1.3% | USD 102 mn | 3.9% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 60 mn | 1.1% | USD 89 mn | 3.9% |
| 13 | United Kingdom | USD 60 mn | 1.1% | USD 89 mn | 3.9% |
| 14 | Mexico | USD 56 mn | 1.0% | USD 95 mn | 5.4% |
| 15 | Thailand | USD 56 mn | 1.0% | USD 95 mn | 5.4% |
| 16 | Russia | USD 52 mn | 0.9% | USD 82 mn | 4.7% |
| 17 | Saudi Arabia | USD 52 mn | 0.9% | USD 88 mn | 5.4% |
| 18 | Spain | USD 52 mn | 0.9% | USD 82 mn | 4.7% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 47 mn | 0.9% | USD 76 mn | 4.8% |
| 20 | Malaysia | USD 47 mn | 0.9% | USD 81 mn | 5.5% |
| 21 | Turkey | USD 47 mn | 0.9% | USD 81 mn | 5.5% |
| 22 | Poland | USD 43 mn | 0.8% | USD 73 mn | 5.5% |
| 23 | Vietnam | USD 43 mn | 0.8% | USD 78 mn | 6.2% |
| 24 | Canada | USD 39 mn | 0.7% | USD 62 mn | 4.8% |
| 25 | Singapore | USD 39 mn | 0.7% | USD 62 mn | 4.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 298 mn | 5.5% | USD 489 mn | 5.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- BASF
- Dow
- OQ Chemicals
- Eastman
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- LG Chem
- Sasol
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group
- Petronas Chemicals Group
- Perstorp
- Zibo Qixiang Tengda Chemical
- Sinopec
- YNCC
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Gevo
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the butanol market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by application, by end use, by isomer, by production route, by supply mode. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the butanol market?
The global butanol market is estimated at USD 5.2 bn in 2025 and USD 5.4 bn in 2026.
How fast will the butanol market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 8.7 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 3.3 bn.
Which country is the largest market for butanol?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 2.0 bn in 2026, 36.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 54.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which butanol segment is largest?
In the by application split, Butyl acrylate is the largest segment with 36.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading butanol companies?
Global leaders include BASF, Dow, OQ Chemicals, Eastman.
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