Ethyl and Butyl Acetate in the World and in Turkey

Dear Turkchem magazine readers; ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, which are used as basic chemicals in approximately 30 sectors, appear in many products we use in our daily lives.

[caption id="attachment_104125" align="aligncenter"] Ethyl Acetate[/caption]

Ethyl Acetate

As is known, ethyl acetate with the chemical formula CH3COOCH2CH3 is a colorless organic compound. This transparent liquid has a pleasant fruity odor. In other words, some pleasantly scented adhesive odors also recall the odor coming from this raw material.

Ethyl Acetate Global Market

According to 2018-2019 data, global ethyl acetate production capacity is approximately 4.9 million metric tons. Global ethyl acetate consumption capacity is approximately 3.99 million metric tons. While the Asia region has excess production capacity in ethyl acetate production, North America and European countries depend on imports from Asia to meet domestic demand. 80% of global ethyl acetate capacity is Asia-based. Belgium is the largest ethyl acetate importer due to free trade agreements between the regions, with significant imports from Mexico and the United Kingdom. When examining the global ethyl acetate market, China is the center of ethyl acetate capacity. China is also the largest exporter of ethyl acetate. The main sectors using ethyl acetate as raw material worldwide are as follows: • 59.80% paints and coatings sector, • 15.10% adhesive sector, • 12.80% ink and printing sector, • 7.30% pharmaceutical sector, • 5% used in other sectors.

Information about the sectors where ethyl acetate is used:

Paints Sector: Ethyl acetate used as a solvent in the paints sector is also used as a hardening agent. It is used as a solvent in some coatings, wood paints and coating varnishes, and plastic products. Printing and Packaging Sector: Used as a thinning solvent for flexographic printing and rotogravure printing. Printing Inks Sector: Used as raw material in the printing inks sector, in liquid nitrocellulose ink and in photocopier and printer inks. Adhesive Sector: Used as a diluent and filler liquid in the product. Solvent and Thinner: Used as a low-cost solvent and thinner in various industrial sectors. Laboratory: Used in laboratory conditions to obtain acetic acid and ethyl alcohol again through hydrolysis under acidic or basic conditions. In the laboratory, mixtures containing ethyl acetate are commonly used for calibration in gas chromatography columns. Used in organic synthesis. Also used for environmental protection and pesticide residue analysis. Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a solvent raw material in some finished and semi-finished products in the pharmaceutical industry. Food Sector: Used in decaffeination of coffee beans and tea leaves. In foods, it is used in some beverage types as a volatile organic acid. Leather Sector: Used as a solvent in resins used in leather production. Cosmetics Sector: As widely known, it is used in perfume production as a raw material that leaves perfume scent on the skin and evaporates quickly. Additionally, it is used in the content of products such as acetone and acetonitrile as nail polish remover. Lubricating Oils Sector: In some types of synthetic-based lubricating oils sector, it is used as a diluent and filler liquid. Other Sectors: Used in smokeless powders. Used in nickel plating solutions as a type of solvent in electrolysis. Used as a developer in semiconductors. Other products that may contain ethyl acetate: • Aerosol paint concentrates. • Rotogravure inks. • Lubricating oils. • Versatile aromatics. • Versatile paints and related products. • Moisturizing creams. • Nail polish removers. • Nail polishes. • Solvent-type packaging inks. • In wet/moist wipes. • Paint thinners, computer equipment. • Shoe polishes and cleaners. • Synthetic resins and rubber adhesives.

Ethyl Acetate Turkey Market

Until this year, the entire amount of ethyl acetate demanded annually in Turkey was imported from abroad. According to 2019 data, this import amount was approximately 55,000 tons. Most ethyl acetate imports are from Europe. According to TÜİK data, the import amount including April 2020 was 20,485 tons. However, this situation will change with Adokim Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., the first 100% domestic facility established after 2020. According to the following chart, in 2019 and 2020, ethyl acetate was imported most from the United Kingdom. In 2020, Turkey's ethyl acetate import amount between January-July will be approximately 45,000-50,000 tons according to unofficial data. The country-based import distribution chart is shown below. Butyl Acetate Butyl acetate, also known as N-butyl acetate, with the formula C6H12O2, is an ester that is colorless and has a fruity odor. It has flammable properties. [caption id="attachment_104126" align="aligncenter"] Butyl Acetate[/caption]

Butyl Acetate Global Market

According to 2018-2019 data, global butyl acetate production capacity is approximately 1.6 million metric tons. Consumption capacity is directly proportional to production capacity. While Asian countries account for 35% of global butyl acetate production capacity and European countries for 25%, 20% is US-based.

The main sectors using butyl acetate as raw material worldwide are as follows:

• 46.3% in paints, varnish and coatings sector, • 11.5% in adhesive sector, • 9.2% in pharmaceutical industry, • 9% in food sector, • 6% in cosmetics sector, • 18% used in other sectors. Information about the sectors where butyl acetate is used: Paints, Varnish and Coatings Sector: While adjusting the fluidity of the paint, it is used to dissolve the resin for easier application. Due to its solvent properties, it is used in lacquers and other products. Adhesive Sector: Used in the production of adhesives and serves as a solvent in this field. Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a solvent raw material in some finished and semi-finished products in the pharmaceutical industry. Used during extraction process. Food Sector: Due to its fruity odor, it is used as a flavoring agent in foods. Additionally, it is used in the production of synthetic fruit powders. Leather Sector: Used in leather manufacturing, suede and nubuck leather coatings. Cosmetics Sector: Used as a solvent during the production processes of perfumes and products such as nail polish. As mentioned above, ethyl and butyl acetate, which were entirely imported into our country until 2020, will be proudly supplied to our country's industry and sectors by Adokim Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., the first 100% domestic producer, as of mid-2020. You can access detailed information about ethyl and butyl acetate at etilasetat.com.tr and butilasetat.com.tr.   Yasemin Özdoğan Foreign Trade Manager Adokim Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.