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China - Butanol - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

China - Butanol - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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December 10, 2024 at 5:22 AM GMT+0

China's Import of Butanol Declines to $256 Million in 2023

China Butanol Imports

Butanol imports into China expanded markedly to 275K tons in 2023, growing by 8.9% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 638K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, butanol imports declined to $256M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 53% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $822M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

COUNTRYImport Value of Butanol in China (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Taiwan (Chinese)20612012210913512110388.4142140130
Saudi ArabiaN/AN/A1.024.329.128.323.040.662.245.539.3
Malaysia10554.543.739.835.543.440.832.946.330.730.4
Indonesia16.316.511.08.18.210.88.56.617.67.613.3
Russia17793.649.214.23.713.28.43.528.314.512.9
South Korea13.36.70.30.62.3N/AN/AN/AN/A10.911.2
United States90.715.29.822.640.536.09.716.112.86.28.5
South Africa21.514.75.28.37.45.921.614.46.06.25.7
Others19349.645.127.819.219.320.123.830.510.34.4
Total822371287254281278235226346272256
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Imports by Country

In 2023, Taiwan (Chinese) (131K tons) constituted the largest butanol supplier to China, accounting for a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, butanol imports from Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Saudi Arabia (40K tons), threefold. Malaysia (33K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Taiwan (Chinese) totaled -1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+45.0% per year) and Malaysia (-9.1% per year).

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($130M) constituted the largest supplier of butanol to China, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($39M), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 12% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to -4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+57.5% per year) and Malaysia (-11.6% per year).

Imports by Type

In 2023, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) (189K tons) constituted the largest type of butanol supplied to China, with a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) (86K tons), twofold.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) imports totaled -7.4%.

In value terms, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) ($184M) constituted the largest type of butanol supplied to China, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)) ($72M), with a 28% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the butanol price stood at $930 per ton (CIF, China), with a decrease of -13.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a noticeable slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $1,289 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($1,114 per ton), while the price for Russia ($647 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the butanol market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • Prodcom 20142230 - Butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol)
  • Prodcom 20142240 - Butanols (excluding butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol))

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in China
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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