The global 1,4 butanediol market size reached USD 8.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, the research expects the market to reach USD 13.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29% during 2025-2033. The market is experiencing stable expansion due to its amplifying demand in producing solvents, plastics, and fibers. Moreover, its expanding applications in sectors like pharmaceuticals, automotive, and textiles significantly bolster market growth, supported by continuous technological innovations and magnifying industrialization across major industries.
1,4 butanediol (C4H10O2) is a colorless, oily, and viscous liquid with high solubility in water and other chemicals. It is a primary alcohol and an organic compound produced from petroleum-based substrates such as acetylene, butane, propylene, and butadiene. It is widely used in industrial settings as a solvent and in the manufacturing of some types of plastics, elastic fibers, and polyurethanes. 1,4 butanediol is also used as a raw material in both the organic and fine chemical industries for its excellent environmental characteristics and minimal health risks to workers. As a result, it finds extensive applications across the textile, automotive, chemical, electrical and electronics, papermaking, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries.
Moreover, the heightening adoption of lightweight materials in electronic products and vehicles to lower weight and enhance efficacy has further bolstered the need for 1,4 butanediol. In addition, as the electronics and automotive industries continue to grow rapidly, the demand for superior-performance materials like 1,4 butanediol is anticipated to propel, boosting the market expansion.
In addition, 1,4 butanediol is extensively leveraged in the development of excipients and solvents for a broad range of pharmaceutical formulations. Moreover, as customer need for enhanced pharmaceuticals and personal care products escalates, the demand for versatile chemicals is anticipated to further boost market growth in these sectors, consequently broadening the 1,4 butanediol market scope. As per industry reports, by 2026, personal care market is projected to grow by 4.5% in India.
Consequently, the adoption of this product is expected to accelerate, as indicated by the 1,4 butanediol market research, offering new growth avenues in the market while addressing the demand for environmentally safe manufacturing solutions. According to a research article published in the journal Green Chemistry in January 2023, an eco-friendly method for the production of bio-based 1,4-butanediol from succinic acid was successfully developed. This method exhibited exceptional prolonged stability of 1,4-butanediol without hampering its functional activity, attaining a 91.2% yield rate.
1,4 butanediol (C4H10O2) is a colorless, oily, and viscous liquid with high solubility in water and other chemicals. It is a primary alcohol and an organic compound produced from petroleum-based substrates such as acetylene, butane, propylene, and butadiene. It is widely used in industrial settings as a solvent and in the manufacturing of some types of plastics, elastic fibers, and polyurethanes. 1,4 butanediol is also used as a raw material in both the organic and fine chemical industries for its excellent environmental characteristics and minimal health risks to workers. As a result, it finds extensive applications across the textile, automotive, chemical, electrical and electronics, papermaking, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries.
1,4 Butanediol Market Trends:
Growing Demand from Electronics and Automotive Sectors
The global 1,4 butanediol (BDO) market is witnessing growth principally driven by its increasing utilization in the electronics and automotive sectors. 1,4 butanediol is an integral component in the manufacturing of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins, which are extensively leveraged in these industries to produce durable plastic components, like housings or connectors. For instance, in May 2024, Yazaki Corporation and Toray Industries collaborated to produce a new recycled PBT resin particualrly for manufacturing connectors for automotive wire harnesses.Moreover, the heightening adoption of lightweight materials in electronic products and vehicles to lower weight and enhance efficacy has further bolstered the need for 1,4 butanediol. In addition, as the electronics and automotive industries continue to grow rapidly, the demand for superior-performance materials like 1,4 butanediol is anticipated to propel, boosting the market expansion.
Increasing Applications in Personal Care and Pharmaceuticals
The 1,4 butanediol market analysis indicates that the expanding applications in the personal care and pharmaceutical industries is notably driving the demand. 1,4 butanediol plays a crucial role as a key raw material in the production of tetrahydrofuran (THF), which is generally utilized in manufacturing spandex fibers generally found in personal care products as well as medical textiles. For instance, in May 2024, The LYCRA Company collaborated with Dairen Chemical Corporation (DCC) to produce low-impact PTMEG, a key ingredient for bio-based LYCRA fiber or spandex fiber, from 1, 4 butanediol.In addition, 1,4 butanediol is extensively leveraged in the development of excipients and solvents for a broad range of pharmaceutical formulations. Moreover, as customer need for enhanced pharmaceuticals and personal care products escalates, the demand for versatile chemicals is anticipated to further boost market growth in these sectors, consequently broadening the 1,4 butanediol market scope. As per industry reports, by 2026, personal care market is projected to grow by 4.5% in India.
Inclination Toward Sustainable Production Techniques
The magnifying inclination towards sustainability is significantly impacting the 1,4 butanediol market as manufacturers are currently seeking bio-based production techniques. Bio-based 1,4 butanediol, typically derived from renewable feedstocks, is rapidly gaining momentum due to its lower environmental impact in comparison to conventional petrochemical-based production methods. Moreover, this inclination aligns with the increasing global environmental regulatory policies and customer demand for environmentally friendly products. In addition, several companies are actively investing in green production methods and technologies to address the rising requirement for sustainable materials.Consequently, the adoption of this product is expected to accelerate, as indicated by the 1,4 butanediol market research, offering new growth avenues in the market while addressing the demand for environmentally safe manufacturing solutions. According to a research article published in the journal Green Chemistry in January 2023, an eco-friendly method for the production of bio-based 1,4-butanediol from succinic acid was successfully developed. This method exhibited exceptional prolonged stability of 1,4-butanediol without hampering its functional activity, attaining a 91.2% yield rate.
1,4 Butanediol Market Segmentation:
The research provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, derivative and end use industry.Breakup by Type:
- Synthetic
- Bio-base.
Breakup by Derivative:
- Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
- Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
- Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)
- Polyurethane (PU)
- Other.
Breakup by End Use Industry:
- Textile
- Automotive
- Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
- Electrical and Electronics
- Other.
Breakup by Region:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
- Others
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia
- Others
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Others
- Middle East and Afric.
Competitive Landscape:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global 1,4 butanediol market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the companies covered include:- Ashland Inc.
- BASF SE
- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (China Petrochemical Corporation)
- Dairen Chemical Corporation
- Genomatica Inc
- KH Chemicals BV (Ravago S.A.)
- Lanxess AG
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
- Nan Ya Plastics Corporation
- Shanxi Sanwei Group Co. Ltd.
- Sipchem Company
- Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Sci.&Tech. Co. Ltd.
Key Questions Answered in This Report
- What was the size of the global 1,4 butanediol market in 2024?
- What is the expected growth rate of the global 1,4 butanediol market during 2025-2033?
- What are the key factors driving the global 1,4 butanediol market?
- What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global 1,4 butanediol market?
- What is the breakup of the global 1,4 butanediol market based on the derivative?
- What is the breakup of the global 1,4 butanediol market based on the end use industry?
- What are the key regions in the global 1,4 butanediol market?
- Who are the key players/companies in the global 1,4 butanediol market?
Table of Contents
1 Preface3 Executive Summary11 Value Chain Analysis13 Price Analysis
2 Scope and Methodology
4 Introduction
5 Global 1,4 Butanediol Market
6 Market Breakup by Type
7 Market Breakup by Derivative
8 Market Breakup by End Use Industry
9 Market Breakup by Region
10 SWOT Analysis
12 Porters Five Forces Analysis
14 Competitive Landscape
List of Figures
List of Tables
Companies Mentioned
- Ashland Inc.
- BASF SE
- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (China Petrochemical Corporation)
- Dairen Chemical Corporation
- Genomatica Inc
- KH Chemicals BV (Ravago S.A.)
- Lanxess AG
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
- Nan Ya Plastics Corporation
- Shanxi Sanwei Group Co. Ltd.
- Sipchem Company
- Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe Sci.&Tech. Co. Ltd
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 144 |
| Published | June 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2033 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 8.1 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 13.2 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 5.6% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 13 |
