1,4-Dibromobutane (DBB) is a colorless to light yellow liquid, classified as a highly reactive, specialty halogenated organic intermediate. Characterized by two bromine atoms positioned at the terminal ends of a four-carbon chain, DBB is highly valued in fine chemical synthesis for its ability to function as an alkylating agent. Its primary role is to introduce a four-carbon bridge C4 unit) into complex organic molecules, which is essential for synthesizing specific ring structures and functionalized compounds required by the pharmaceutical and dye industries.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
The market for 1,4-Dibromobutane is defined by several core characteristics:
- Niche, High-Value Intermediacy: DBB is a low-volume, high-purity chemical input used in the complex, multi-step synthesis of high-value Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and reactive dyes. Its demand is highly specialized and driven by the steady production of established products.
- Dependence on Bromination Expertise: Production requires sophisticated chemical processes, particularly expertise in bromination technology and the safe handling of reactive halogenated compounds. Manufacturing is thus concentrated among specialty fine chemical producers, predominantly in Asia.
- Strict Quality Requirements: Given its use in regulated industries (Pharmaceuticals and Dyes), consistent quality, low impurities, and batch traceability are mandatory for all suppliers.
Application Analysis
DBB's unique four-carbon dibromide structure is critical for cyclization and alkylation reactions in several distinct industrial applications.- Pharmaceuticals:
- Features & Trends: DBB is a vital chemical building block in the synthesis of numerous established and specialized APIs. It is utilized to form key structural components in drugs such as:
- Aminophylline (bronchodilator)
- Pentoxyverine (antitussive)
- Stibazine Iodide (veterinary anti-parasitic)
- Aripiprazole (antipsychotic)
- Butorphanol (opioid pain reliever)
- Key Trend: Demand is inelastic and stable, driven by the global consumption of these essential medicines. Growth is primarily supported by the generics manufacturing sector, which requires a reliable supply of high-purity intermediates.
- Dyes:
- Features & Trends: DBB is utilized in the synthesis of complex dye intermediates, such as 2,4-Diaminobenzenesulfonic acid. This intermediate is then used to synthesize numerous Reactive Dyes, including shades like Reactive yellow ME4GL/M8G/H7GL/HE6G/95, Reactive GOLDEN yellow RR/MERL, and Reactive BLACK WNN/5/HN.
- Key Trend: Demand is linked to the global textile industry, specifically the manufacturing of high-quality fabrics that require permanent, vibrant, and light-fast reactive dyes.
- Others:
- Features & Trends: Includes use as an intermediate in the synthesis of specialty chemicals, advanced polymer cross-linkers, and complex organic research compounds.
Regional Market Trends
Production and consumption are heavily concentrated in Asia, which is the global hub for both specialty chemical synthesis and large-scale API/dye manufacturing.- Asia-Pacific (APAC): APAC is the dominant production and consumption region, projected to achieve the strongest growth rate, estimated at a CAGR in the range of 3.5%-5.5% through 2030. This growth is driven by the massive chemical manufacturing capacity and integrated pharmaceutical/dye industries in China and India.
- China: Companies like Shouguang Fukang Pharmaceutical, Yancheng Creator Chemical Co. Ltd., Yancheng Sanhe Biochemical Co. Ltd. (1,000 tons per year total capacity), and Sanmenxia Aoke Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. form a strong cluster of specialized brominated chemical producers.
- India: Firms like Neogen Chemical Limited leverage their specialized bromination capabilities to serve both domestic and global pharmaceutical and agrochemical clients.
- North America and Europe: These are mature, high-value consumption markets, projected to grow at a moderate CAGR in the range of 2%-4% through 2030. Demand is driven by local pharmaceutical R&D and specialty chemical production, relying significantly on imports from Asian producers for commercial-scale material.
- Latin America and Middle East & Africa (MEA): These regions represent smaller markets, projected to grow at a moderate CAGR in the range of 2%-3.5% through 2030, with demand tied mainly to imported intermediates and pharmaceuticals.
Company Profiles
The market is supplied by specialized fine chemical manufacturers with core expertise in handling reactive halogenated intermediates and ensuring high purity for regulated end-use markets.- Neogen Chemical Limited and Chemada Industrie: Key global specialty chemical companies. Neogen (India) is known for its strong focus on bromination and custom synthesis. Chemada (Israel) specializes in bromine chemistry, serving high-specification markets globally.
- Shouguang Fukang Pharmaceutical, Yancheng Creator Chemical Co. Ltd., Yancheng Sanhe Biochemical Co. Ltd. (1,000 tons per year total capacity), and Sanmenxia Aoke Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.: The core group of Chinese specialty chemical producers. Yancheng Sanhe Biochemical Co. Ltd.'s broad product line, covering alkyl halide and halogen acyl halide, underscores the technical complexity of this specialized manufacturing cluster.
Value Chain Analysis
The DBB value chain is centered on the difficult and precise midstream process of converting a readily available diol (1,4-Butanediol) into the highly reactive dibromide.- Upstream: Commodity Alcohol Feedstock:
- Activity: Sourcing of high-volume, readily available 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO), a commodity chemical derived from petrochemical or coal-to-chemical routes.
- Value-Add: Access to stable, low-cost BDO supply.
- Midstream: Bromination and Purification (Core Value-Add):
- Activity: The chemical reaction of BDO with a brominating agent (e.g., hydrogen bromide or phosphorus tribromide) to selectively replace the hydroxyl groups with bromine atoms. This process requires precise control to maximize yield and minimize side reactions. This is followed by critical purification.
- Value-Add:*● Proprietary process technology and specialized equipment for safe and efficient bromination, particularly crucial for handling the corrosive and reactive nature of the reagents. This step captures the highest value premium for the specialized chemical producers.
- Downstream: Pharmaceutical and Dye Synthesis:
- Activity: Selling high-purity DBB to API manufacturers (e.g., for Aripiprazole, Aminophylline) and dye manufacturers (e.g., for 2,4-Diaminobenzenesulfonic acid).
- Value-Add: Providing comprehensive regulatory documentation, batch traceability, and consistent quality assurance that meets the stringent requirements of the life science and dye industries.
Opportunities and Challenges
DBB enjoys stable demand due to its role in established products but faces significant hurdles related to regulatory compliance and substitution risks.Opportunities
- Stable Generics Market: The entrenched use of DBB in the synthesis of several major generic drugs ensures a stable, high-volume baseline of demand that is resilient against R&D failures.
- Growth of Custom Synthesis Outsourcing: The continued shift of complex API and dye intermediate synthesis to technically proficient, cost-competitive Asian producers (China and India) sustains robust demand growth in the APAC region.
- Specialized C4 Linker Role: DBB's unique ability to act as a four-carbon bifunctional linker in ring closure and alkylation reactions makes it difficult to substitute with single-source alternatives without substantial process re-engineering.
Challenges
- Regulatory and Environmental Scrutiny: As a halogenated organic compound, the production and handling of DBB are subject to increasingly strict global environmental, health, and safety regulations. These regulations increase compliance costs and pose risks related to waste management.
- API Patent Risk and Substitution: Although used for generics, the market remains vulnerable to the development of completely new synthesis routes for key APIs that may bypass the need for DBB, or to the withdrawal of certain products from the market.
- High Barrier to Entry and Technical Risk: The specialized nature of bromination chemistry and the necessity for high-purity output for pharmaceutical applications create a high technical barrier to entry, concentrating supply among a few expert players.
- Feedstock Volatility: Production costs are linked to the price volatility of the upstream commodity chemical, 1,4-Butanediol, exposing producers to fluctuations in the general petrochemical and coal-to-chemical markets.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and Acronyms
Chapter 3 Preface
Chapter 4 Market Landscape
Chapter 5 Market Trend Analysis
Chapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis
Chapter 7 Latest Market Dynamics
Chapter 8 Trading Analysis
Chapter 9 Historical and Forecast 1,4-Dibromobutane Market in North America (2020-2030)
Chapter 10 Historical and Forecast 1,4-Dibromobutane Market in South America (2020-2030)
Chapter 11 Historical and Forecast 1,4-Dibromobutane Market in Asia & Pacific (2020-2030)
Chapter 12 Historical and Forecast 1,4-Dibromobutane Market in Europe (2020-2030)
Chapter 13 Historical and Forecast 1,4-Dibromobutane Market in MEA (2020-2030)
Chapter 14 Summary for Global 1,4-Dibromobutane Market (2020-2025)
Chapter 15 Global 1,4-Dibromobutane Market Forecast (2025-2030)
Chapter 16 Analysis of Global Key Vendors
List of Tables and Figures
Companies Mentioned
- Neogen Chemical Limited
- Shouguang Fukang Pharmaceutical
- Chemada Industrie
- Yancheng Creator Chemical Co. Ltd.
- Yancheng Sanhe Biochemical Co. Ltd.
- Sanmenxia Aoke Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.
