The Global Market for Acetaldehyde is Projected to Reach 1.2 Million Tons by 2020

Rising Demand for Acetaldehyde in the Production of Pentaerythritol & Pyridine Drives Growth in the Global Market, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA launches comprehensive analysis of industry segments, trends, growth drivers, market share, size and demand forecasts on the global Acetaldehyde market. The global market for Acetaldehyde is projected to reach 1.2 million tons by 2020, driven by the growing use of acetaldehyde as a raw material in the production of pentaerythritol and pyridine.

Acetaldehyde serves as a platform chemical for the production of organic chemicals. These derivatives in turn serve as platform chemicals for the production of a host of compounds with wide-ranging applications spanning multiple sectors including construction, paints and coatings, food preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, among others. However, acetaldehyde has come under disrepute in recent years, with the emergence of several scientific studies highlighting the carcinogenic, toxic and air-polluting properties of the chemical thereby hampering consumption.

Acetaldehyde demand witnessed decline in recent years due to the worldwide commercialization of more effective processes and technologies for the production of products that were originally produced using acetaldehyde. Acetic acid, formerly one of the major derivatives of acetaldehyde, is now largely synthesized through methanol carbonylation, a considerably cheaper and more efficient method when compared to the traditional acetaldehyde-based production process. Production of plasticizer alcohols also switched to oxonation of propylene instead of butylaldehyde-based acetaldehyde. These trends are resulting in reduced demand and decline in the overall acetaldehyde market. The only glimmer of hope for acetaldehyde is steady growth in consumption of acetaldehyde from other key applications including pyridines and pentaerythritol, which is expected to outstrip acetaldehyde consumption in acetic acid. Although consumption in these applications is unlikely to compensate for the decline in use of acetaldehyde for producing acetic acid, it is nevertheless expected to drive marginal growth in consumption in the years ahead. Expanding applications for glyoxal/glyoxylic acid, where acetaldehyde is used as an intermediary, is also expected to benefit market prospects in the near term.

As stated by the new market research report on Acetaldehyde, China represents the largest and the fastest growing market worldwide with a CAGR of 2.3% over the analysis period. Although use of acetaldehyde in the production of acetic acid was discontinued in majority of the countries worldwide, China continued to use the same process until recently. Use of acetaldehyde in the production of pentaerythritol and pyridines will drive future consumption in the country. Japan, on the other hand, is using acetaldehyde for the production of butadiene on a commercial scale, and is predicted to emerge as an important consumer of acetaldehyde over the next few years. With the volatile supply of butadiene in Japan and other Asian countries, this new application is expected to provide the required growth momentum to the sluggish acetaldehyde market.

Key players covered in the report include Ashok Alco - chem Limited (AACL), Biohit Oyj, Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Jubilant Life Sciences Limited, LCY Group, Lonza Group Ltd., Naran Lala Pvt. Ltd., SEKAB, Showa Denko K.K., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and Wacker-Chemie AG, among others.

The research report titled “Acetaldehyde: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, and drivers. The report provides market estimates and projections in volume (Tons) for major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, China, Asia-Pacific (excluding China and Japan), Middle East & Africa, and Latin America (Brazil, and Rest of Latin America). Key end-use segments analyzed in the report include Acetic Acid, Acetane Hydride, Acetic Ether, 1,3 Butanediol, n-Butyraldehyde, Crotonaldehyde, Glyoxal/Glyoxylic Acid, Penta-Erithryte, Peracetic Acid, and Pyridine. 

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