Ethyl acetate is used in a variety of coating formulations such as epoxies, urethanes, cellulosics, acrylics and vinyls. Applications for these coatings are numerous including wood furniture and fixtures, agricultural, construction and mining equipment, auto refinishing, and maintenance and marine uses. 
Ethyl acetate has applications as a solvent in inks for flexographic and rotogravure printing. It is used as an extraction solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals and food, and as a carrier solvent for herbicides. High purity product can be used as a viscosity reducer for resins used in photoresist formulations in the electronics industry.
Global demand is expected to grow at 3-4%/year because of strong demand for surface coatings and as a replacement for restricted solvents. Geographically, the strongest demand will be in China and Southeast Asia while the developed markets of western Europe and the US will see growth rates at or below GDP.
In the US, future growth is predicted at 2%/year to 2009. According to ICIS Chemical Business (ICB), US demand will increase from 88,500 tonnes in 2005 to 95,300 tonnes in 2009.
Around 60% of ethyl acetate in the US is consumed as a solvent in a variety of coating formulations. These coatings are used for wood furniture and fixtures, agricultural, construction and mining equipment, containers and closures, auto refinishing, and maintenance and marine applications.
Over the past 20 years, ethyl acetate coatings have been losing share to waterborne and high-solids coatings, powder and two-component coatings systems, due to environmental constraints on volatile organic compound emissions. This conversion has run its course, and the remaining market is growing again at a rate of about 2%/year.
Solvent-based architectural coatings for both exterior and interior use consume 20% of the ethyl acetate used in coatings. This sector has been growing at approximately 6%/year. On the down side, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) solvent-based coatings has been declining slowly in the US. The OEM sector, however, is the largest and represents 58% of ethyl acetate's coatings use demand. The remaining sector, specialty coatings, which includes marine coatings, has held steady.
Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in inks for flexographic and rotogravure printing, where its main function is to dissolve the resin, control the viscosity and modify the drying rate. As with industrial coatings, the decline in its use because of environmental constraints has largely been completed and future growth in the US is estimated to be a healthier 2.5%/year up to 2009.
The European market is reported to be balanced with ample supply and steady demand. However, future demand is expected to be flat and or even contract slightly as consumption by local paints and inks sectors shrinks as production moves eastwards.
In the UK, Ineos has acquired BP’s ethyl acetate business including a 250,000 tonnes/year plant in Hull. Future consolidation is seen as possible in Europe as ethylene-based producers struggle to compete against more competitive ethanol-based production. Europe could also become more reliant on imports.
Southeast Asia and China are expected to become the most important regions globally for ethyl acetate production and consumption. The Southeast Asian paints and coatings market is expected to grow at 5-6%/year.
A number of projects are planned in China which is expected to see growth up to 8%/year. Projects include a doubling of capacity to 400,000 tonnes/year by Jiangsu Sopo and a 100,000 tonnes/year plant being built by Yankuang Cathay Chemical.
Outside of China, Japan’s Daicel Industries is converting an acetic acid plant in Otake, Hiroshima to make ethyl acetate based on bioethanol. It will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes/year with production expected to start in spring 2009.
(Updated: April 2008. Sources: ICB Chemical Profiles, 14 April 2008 and 24 July 2006)
Ethyl acetate
Price Reports
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Ethyl acetate
Process Technologies
The main method to manufacture ethyl acetate involves the esterification of ethanol with acetic acid although some is produced by the catalytic condensation of acetaldehyde with alkoxides. Solutia obtains ethyl acetate as a coproduct in production of polyvinyl alcohol, which the company uses captively in the manufacture of polyvinyl butyral.
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