Tertiary or tert-butyl acetate is a colorless flammable liquid with a mild odor. Tert-butyl acetate is soluble in water and miscible in ethanol and ether. It is one of the four butyl acetate isomers, other being isobutyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and s-butyl acetate. Tert- butyl acetate is produced by reacting isobutylene with acetic acid in presence of an acid catalyst and excess reactant. Tert-butyl acetate is primarily used as a solvent or thinner and finds application across various end-use industries. It is used as a solvent for production of household & industrial cleaners, lacquers, enamels, inks & digital inks, adhesives, and sealants. It is also used as an additive in motor fuels to improve their anti-knocking properties. It is used in production of coating products, specifically in polyurethane & surface coating, lacquers and enamels. Tert-butyl acetate is also used as an organic intermediate in synthesis of other chemical compounds. Tert-butyl acetate is a VOC (volatile organic compound) exempt, non-HAP (hazardous air pollutant) solvent with low toxicity which makes it a preferable solvent in various end-use industries. Tert-butyl acetate is also used in the flavor and fragrance industry owing to its fruity flavor and sweet aroma.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Regulations imposed on the limited use of volatile organic solvents for manufacturing various products have encouraged manufacturers to use solvents that meet the performance expectations and also the stringent environmental regulations. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings aims to limit the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions from the use of architectural coatings. The rule is estimated to reduce VOC emissions by 113,500 tons per year. This factor is expected to drive growth of the tert-butyl acetate market over the forecast period.

Furthermore, in 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended EPA’s regulatory definition of VOC compounds under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The new regulatory definition exempted tert-butyl acetate from the VOC list on the basis that it makes negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. The VOC exemption is expected to increase demand for tert-butyl acetate over the forecast period.

Availability of low cost substitutes such as xylene, toluene, esters, hydrocarbons, and ketones as solvents is expected to hamper market growth of tert-butyl acetate. However, these solvents are VOC and HAP compounds which restrict their use in various end-use industries.

MARKET OUTLOOK

Among regions, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the tert-butyl acetate market over the forecast period. Rising demand for automotive coatings owing to growth of the automobile industry in the region is expected to drive demand for tert-butyl acetate. For instance, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, over 27 million vehicles were sold in China in 2018. According to the same source, the automobile market in China is expected to reach 30 million units by 2020 and 35 million units by 2025.

KEY PLAYERS

Major players operating in the tertiary butyl acetate market include LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Jigs Chemical, Eastman Chemical Company, Taizhou Original chemical Co., Ltd., Guangdong Derong Chemical Co., Ltd., Yueyang Fuhe Technology Co., Ltd., Yueyang Juyuan Petrochemical Co. Ltd., and Shenzhen Prechem New Materials Co. Ltd.

MARKET TAXONOMY

On the basis of product type, the tertiary butyl acetate market is segmented into:

Laboratory Grade
Industrial Grade

On the basis of application, the tertiary butyl acetate market is segmented into:

Paints & Coatings
Gasoline Additive
Flavors & Fragrances
Electronics
Pharmaceutical
Others

On the basis of region, the tertiary butyl acetate market is segmented into:

Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- ASEAN
- Australia
- South Korea
- Rest of Asia Pacific
North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Mexico
Europe
- U.K.
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Russia
- Rest of the Europe
South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of South America
Middle East
- GCC
- Israel
- Rest of Middle East
Africa
- North Africa
- Central Africa
- South Africa