The global BDO-PTMEG-Spandex market is expected to grow at significant CAGR of over 5.0% between 2016 to 2024, with the global market size estimated at over USD 4.00 billion in 2014. This chemical is primarily used to manufacture polyurethane, GBL, polybutylene terepthalate, tetrahydrofuran, and solvents among few other downstream chemicals. The product is being progressively used in drug preparations, which has fascinated several legislative regulations and actions regarding the chemical’s safe usage. Butanediol (BDO) applications include engineering plastics, cosmetics, pesticides, hardeners, fibers, medicines, artificial leather, and plasticizers.
A chief 1,4-butanediol derivative, THF, endures catalyzed polymerization to produce polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG). Physically the product is a white waxy solid which is additionally used to manufacture polymers such as polyesters, urethane elastomers, TPU, polyamides, and COPE.
However, one of the major uses of PTMEG lies in the manufacturing of lycra/elastene/spandex fiber, which finds usages in numerous end-uses that range from automotive interiors to textiles. Globally, spandex market was valued at over USD 2.00 billion in 2014. In the value chain, butanediol is a primary feedstock in the manufacturing process of elastene where PTMEG acts as an intermediate chemical. The global PTMEG market size was valued at over USD 2.00 billion in 2014.
The global BDO-PTMEG-Spandex market is regulated by several agencies with regulations and policies ranging from economical to environmental. Key regulatory policymakers who command industry dynamics include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), REACH, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and European Commission.
EPA has guidelines framed under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants to battle emissions from manufacturing processes. As these products and their downstream chemicals are hazardous in nature, they unfavorably affect the organic health and environment. These protocols are intended for restricting their manufacturing, usage, and exposure to environment & humans.
Based on the applications of 1,4-Butanediol, the global market has been segmented into gamma-butyrolactone, polybutylene terephthalate, tetrahydrofuran, and polyurethanes among few other niche applications including drug and solvents formulations. Tetrahydrofuran was the largest application and contributed nearly half of the global market volume in 2014.
On the basis of Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol applications, the global market has been segmented into urethanes, COPE and spandex. Spandex was the foremost application segment accounted for over 75% of the overall revenue in 2014. The increasing scope in automotive interiors, medical wear, hygiene products, and textiles are expected to surge the demand for BDO-PTMEG-Spandex.
Textiles segment was the foremost application for elastene, which was further followed by medical & hygiene which has accounted for over 20.0% of its volume in 2014. Growing safety & hygiene standards in medical facilities and rising awareness regarding preventive healthcare, mainly in developing nations, is expected to surge the application’s growth over the next eight years.
Geographically, the global BDO-PTMEG-Spandex market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, and Europe.North America has accounted for over 10.0%, 10.0% and 15.0% of spandex, PTMEG, and BDO global volumes in 2014 respectively. North America is anticipated to witness significant growth over the next eight years followed by Europe owing to the presence of companies with robust patent landscape and advanced production technologies is anticipated to drive the market. BDO is increasingly used for polyurethane and THF products in this region.
Asia Pacific dominated the global scenario as the largest consumer base and revenue generating region and is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. India and China are projected to account for the major market share in the region primarily due to rising industrial application, economic developments and technology adoption for various industrial operations.
With production in these countries rising fast, end-use industries including automotive, hygiene products and textiles are expected to offshoot spandex consumption. Southeast Asian countries have witnessed a remarkable growth in textiles production, especially in outdoor wear and sports apparel over the recent past.
The global BDO-PTMEG-Spandex market is highly dominated by integrated companies with abilities extended from butanediol manufacturing as a feedstock to produce elastene fibers for end-users. Positioning themselves throughout the value chain, these companies enjoy a distinctive benefit of serving varied application segments other than those related to the value chain.
The key players dominating the BDO-PTMEGmarket include Dairen Chemicals, Shanxi Sanwei Group, Ashland BASF, LyondellBasell, DuPont, and Invista, while other major spandex market players include Gold Pacific, Dynamic Fabric Trading, AB Textile Mills, and Sultani Elasto.
Companies through mergers & acquisitions and strategic expansions have been trying to cater large volume of customers. The companies through R&D efforts and continuous innovation are also endeavoring to develop premium quality products and high-value products with the optimum cost for price sensitive industry. The aforementioned efforts by the companies have enabled them to anticipate significant growth over the forecast period.
