PODCAST: Pandemic continues to pressure Europe demand for oxo-alcohols and derivatives

LONDON (ICIS)–Following the increase in upstream propylene costs for June, oxo-alcohols report editor Jane Massingham discusses the impact the pandemic continues to have on this market and its derivatives with glycol ethers editor Eashani Chavda, acrylate esters editor Katherine Sale and butyl acetate (butac) editor Nick Cleeve.

N-butanol (NBA) is a solvent with more than half if its production used as an intermediate chemical in the production of butyl acrylates for paints, coatings and adhesives, or acetates and glycol ethers. 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) is used to make plasticizers, mainly dioctyl phthalate (DOP). Key end markets include the construction, appliance and automotive industries.

Divided in E-series and P-series, depending on whether they are made from ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO), glycol ethers are mainly used as a solvent for domestic and industrial applications such as paints and coatings.

Acrylate esters are used in the manufacture of surface coatings, paints and resins, adhesives, plastics, textiles and paper.

Butac is mostly used as a solvent in paints and coatings or as a synthetic fruit flavouring in food products.