Butanediol Overview Transcript
Butanediol or BDO is an intermediate product, a colourless and almost odourless viscous liquid.
Around 32% of BDO production goes into engineering thermoplastic PBT, with another 32% going to the manufacture of tetrahydrofuran which is used to make Lycra or spandex.
It is used industrially as a solvent and in the manufacture of some types of plastics and polyurethanes. It ultimately goes into textiles, clothing items items and footwear such as running shoes.
BDO feedstocks are acetylene and formaldyhide, butane via maleic anhydride, butadiene, and propylene oxide.
Around two thirds of the BDO market is captive and more than half off the remaining third is tied up in long-term contracts.
Global demand and pricing is driven by the key Asian market. European pricing has recently reached record levels.
As this is a volatile industry, our readers rely on ICIS four our impartial and accurate reporting.