Isobutene Market Size & Forecast Report, 2014 - 2024

Global Isobutene Market is estimated to reach USD 30.71 billion by 2024 owing to the rise in demand for rubber from automotive industry. Isobutene is a colourless inflammable gas that with typical olefin odorant no corrosive properties. Isobutene can be easily dissolved in ether, hydrocarbons and alcohol but slightly insoluble in water. Chemically, it holds reactions of olefins like electrophilic addition, oxidation, hydrogenation, and polymerization.

Isobutene is a base material for numerous final products and intermediates like butyl rubber, polyisobutene, alkyl-tert-butyl ether, isoprene, methyl methacrylate, diisobutene, mercaptanes, tert-butanol, vitamins, fragrances, alkylphenols, antioxidants, methacroleine, synthetic resins, adhesive resins, tackifiers, methacrylicacid and PMMA. They are also used in additives for fuels and lubricants, dispergators, organic acids, cross-linking agents and curing agents, isoamylalcohol, peroxidicpolymerization initiators, methallylsulfonate, alkylchlorides, methallylchloride, isobuteneoxide.

Growth in aerospace segment and increase in demand for rubber from automobile segment is majorly driving isobutene industry. Isobutene is made from polyisobutene which is the predecessor chemical for making lubricant additives and fuel. Isobutene is combined with methanol to create isooctane, which is used as fuel additive in aviation fuel. It is widely used in manufacturing of rubber for automobile tires and tubes for automotive segment. Besides, isobutene is also used in the manufacturing of fine chemicals, anti-oxidants and plastics which triggers the growth of isobutene market.

Also the growth in end user industries is also expected to accelerate the growth of the market in the years to come. One of the leading manufacturers, Evonik Industries has recently tripled their production capacity at Belgium, Antwerp in expectation of increasing demand of isobutene and for establishing niche market in Europe. Moreover, government initiatives like development of smart cities are offering significant boost to isobutene industry. Regions like North America, Europe and Asia Pacific are expected to stimulate the demand for isobutene in the coming years.

Despite wide applications of isobutene in several end use industries, the chemical is prone to price fluctuations from sources. This downside is expected to affect the volatility of crude oil, which directly affects isobutene market. Furthermore, owing to the toxic properties, and strict measures for the prevention of leakage in the air, isobutene is extremely regulated chemical. Biological isobutene is gaining popularity and is predicted to grow speedily and gradually replace petrol-based isobutene.

Another manufacturer has contributed significantly for developing bio alternative to the traditional process. They are focusing on developing and patenting a procedure to convert carbohydrates to isobutene with the help of fermentation process. With the success towards sustainable biological alternatives, the technology is predicted to attract market players and gain huge momentum in future.

Isobutene industry is categorized on the basis of product, application, and geography. On the basis of product, the market is divided into Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE) and Ethyl Tert-butyl Ether (ETBE).Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE) is the type of the market and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years owing to its increasing preference over Ethyl Tert-butyl Ether (ETBE).

Based on application, isobutene market is split into automotive, antioxidants, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and others. Owing to the rising need, automotive industry is expected to hold larger market share of isobutene in the coming years. Geographically, isobutene industry is segmented as North America, Central & South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Owing to the increasing preference of isobutylene in the production of several synthetic chemical products, Asia Pacific region is predicted to dominate the market. The key players in the market of isobutene comprise BASF, Evonik, YEOCHUN NCC, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings, Global Bioenergies, and TPC Group.

Market Segment:

Global Isobutene Product Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2024)
    • Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE)
    • Ethyl Tert-butyl Ether (ETBE)

Global Isobutene Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2024)
    • Automotive
    • Aerospace
    • Antioxidants
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Others

Global Isobutene Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2024)
    • North America
        • U.S.
        • Canada
    • Europe
        • Germany
        • France
        • UK
    • Asia Pacific
        • China
        • India
        • Japan
    • Central & South America
        • Mexico
    • Middle East & Africa
        • Saudi Arabia