Isobutylene Market
PUBLISHED: 2025 ID: SMRC28443
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Isobutylene Market

Isobutylene Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Product Type (Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether and Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether), Grade (High Purity (>99%) and Standard Grade (<99%)), Production Process, Application, End User and By Geography

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4.9 (73 reviews)
Published: 2025 ID: SMRC28443

This report covers the impact of COVID-19 on this global market
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According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Isobutylene Market is accounted for $30.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $41.8 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. Colorless and flammable, isobutylene, also called 2-methylpropene, is a hydrocarbon gas with the chemical formula C₄H₈. This branched-chain alkene is an essential petrochemical industry intermediate. Mostly derived from natural gas or crude oil, isobutylene is utilized in the manufacturing of numerous goods. Its reactivity makes it useful in alkylation procedures used to produce high-octane gasoline.

According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), more than 10 million metric tons of isobutene are produced annually worldwide.

Market Dynamics:

Driver: 

Rising use in chemical synthesis

Isobutylene serves as a key intermediate in producing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), butyl rubber, and other petrochemical derivatives. Its versatility makes it essential in applications such as fuel additives, adhesives, and fine chemicals. With increasing industrialization and the expansion of end-use sectors the demand for isobutylene-based products continues to rise, driving market growth.

Restraint:

Complex manufacturing processes

The production of high-purity isobutylene requires advanced technologies like MTBE cracking or isobutane dehydrogenation, which involve high capital investments and operational costs. Additionally, maintaining stringent quality standards adds to the challenges. These factors limit the entry of new players and make it difficult for small-scale manufacturers to compete, thereby restraining the overall market expansion.

Opportunity:

Advancements in catalytic processes

Innovations such as improved catalysts for MTBE decomposition or isobutane dehydrogenation enhance production efficiency and yield. These developments reduce costs and environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for high-purity isobutylene in various applications. As industries increasingly adopt these advanced technologies, they unlock new possibilities for scaling production and expanding into untapped markets.

Threat:

Limited feedstock availability

Limited availability of feedstock like isobutane and methanol poses a threat to the isobutylene market. Fluctuations in crude oil prices and geopolitical issues can disrupt supply chains, impacting raw material availability. This scarcity affects production consistency and increases costs, creating challenges for manufacturers. Additionally, competition for feedstock among various industries further exacerbates the issue, potentially hindering market growth.

Covid-19 Impact: 

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the isobutylene market due to disruptions in supply chains and reduced demand from key end-use industries like automotive and construction. Lockdowns and economic slowdowns led to decreased production of vehicles and infrastructure projects, reducing consumption of isobutylene-based products like butyl rubber and MTBE. However, as industries resumed operations post-pandemic, demand gradually recovered, driven by increased focus on fuel efficiency and sustainable materials.

The methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to its extensive use as a fuel additive to enhance octane ratings and reduce emissions in gasoline. MTBE's ability to improve combustion efficiency makes it indispensable in automotive applications. Additionally, its role as a precursor for producing high-purity isobutylene further strengthens its position in the market. With growing environmental regulations promoting cleaner fuels, the demand for MTBE continues to rise, securing its leadership.

The high purity (>99%) segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the high purity (>99%) segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate due to its critical role in producing butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, and specialty chemicals. Its superior quality ensures compatibility with stringent industrial requirements, particularly in automotive and pharmaceutical applications. The rising adoption of advanced catalytic technologies enhances production efficiency for high-purity grades, further driving this segment's rapid expansion.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share. This dominance is driven by the robust demand from the automotive and aerospace industries, which utilize isobutylene in the production of high-performance materials such as synthetic rubber and fuel additives. The presence of established manufacturing facilities and technological advancements in the region further contribute to its leading position in the isobutylene market.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR due to the region's rapid industrialization and urbanization. Expanding automotive production in countries like China and India amplifies demand for butyl rubber and MTBE. Additionally, increasing investments in infrastructure development projects further boost consumption of isobutylene-based materials. The region's dynamic economic landscape positions it as a key growth driver globally.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Isobutylene Market include BASF SE, ExxonMobil Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Honeywell International Inc., Enterprise Products Partners L.P., TPC Group, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Shandong Huachao Chemical Co., Ltd., Praxair Technology, Inc., Global Bioenergies, Sinopec Group, Reliance Industries Limited, INEOS Group, Lanzatech, ABI Chemicals and Vinati Organics Limited.

Key Developments:

In October 2024, TPC Group has announced that it has further increased its capacity to produce di-isobutylene (DIB), a primary product in the Company’s Specialty Products business unit, to supply the growing global demand for DIB.

In December 2023, Global Bioenergies, a player in industrial biotechnology, announces that the provisional schedule for the construction and commissioning of its new plant by 2027 is becoming clearer. The production technology used has been determined, and will be based on the so-called “direct pathway” process, with total integration of the production chain and minimization of input requirements. The finalization of the basic engineering design, concurrent with the signing of the first tranche of financing for the plant, is expected in summer 2024.

In April 2022, Evonik has invested a double-digit million euro sum to increase production capacity for isobutene derivatives at its Marl location. The isobutene part of the C4 production network produces the petrochemical specialties Tertiary Butanol (TBA), Di- isobutene (DiB) and 3, 5, 5-Trimethylhexanal (TMH). The expansion, which was recently completed, increases capacity for isobutene derivatives by more than 50 percent. In addition, the expansion improves security of supply, flexibility and product quality for the customers.

Product Types Covered:
• Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)
• Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE)

Grades Covered:
• High Purity (>99%)
• Standard Grade (<99%)

Production Process Covered:
• Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)
• MTBE Cracking
• TBA Dehydration
• Isobutane Dehydrogenation

Applications Covered:
• Butyl Rubber
• Polyisobutylene
• Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
• Fuel Additives
• Antioxidants
• Adhesives & Sealants
• Lubricant Additives

End Users Covered:
• Automotive & Transportation
• Aerospace
• Chemical & Petrochemical
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Industrial Manufacturing

Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan        
o China        
o India        
o Australia  
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific    
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa 
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings: 
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary       
        
2 Preface     
 
 2.1 Abstract      
 2.2 Stake Holders      
 2.3 Research Scope      
 2.4 Research Methodology      
  2.4.1 Data Mining     
  2.4.2 Data Analysis     
  2.4.3 Data Validation     
  2.4.4 Research Approach     
 2.5 Research Sources      
  2.5.1 Primary Research Sources     
  2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources     
  2.5.3 Assumptions     
        
3 Market Trend Analysis       
 3.1 Introduction      
 3.2 Drivers      
 3.3 Restraints      
 3.4 Opportunities      
 3.5 Threats      
 3.6 Product Analysis      
 3.7 Application Analysis      
 3.8 End User Analysis      
 3.9 Emerging Markets      
 3.10 Impact of Covid-19      
        
4 Porters Five Force Analysis       
 4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers      
 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers      
 4.3 Threat of substitutes      
 4.4 Threat of new entrants      
 4.5 Competitive rivalry      
        
5 Global Isobutylene Market, By Product Type        
 5.1 Introduction      
 5.2 Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)      
 5.3 Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE)      
        
6 Global Isobutylene Market, By Grade        
 6.1 Introduction      
 6.2 High Purity (>99%)      
 6.3 Standard Grade (<99%)      
        
7 Global Isobutylene Market, By Production Process        
 7.1 Introduction      
 7.2 Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)      
 7.3 MTBE Cracking      
 7.4 TBA Dehydration      
 7.5 Isobutane Dehydrogenation      
        
8 Global Isobutylene Market, By Application       
 8.1 Introduction      
 8.2 Butyl Rubber      
 8.3 Polyisobutylene      
 8.4 Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)      
 8.5 Fuel Additives      
 8.6 Antioxidants      
 8.7 Adhesives & Sealants      
 8.8 Lubricant Additives      
        
9 Global Isobutylene Market, By End User       
 9.1 Introduction      
 9.2 Automotive & Transportation      
 9.3 Aerospace      
 9.4 Chemical & Petrochemical      
 9.5 Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals      
 9.6 Industrial Manufacturing       
        
10 Global Isobutylene Market, By Geography       

 10.1 Introduction      
 10.2 North America      
  10.2.1 US     
  10.2.2 Canada     
  10.2.3 Mexico     
 10.3 Europe      
  10.3.1 Germany     
  10.3.2 UK     
  10.3.3 Italy     
  10.3.4 France     
  10.3.5 Spain     
  10.3.6 Rest of Europe     
 10.4 Asia Pacific      
  10.4.1 Japan     
  10.4.2 China     
  10.4.3 India     
  10.4.4 Australia     
  10.4.5 New Zealand     
  10.4.6 South Korea     
  10.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific     
 10.5 South America      
  10.5.1 Argentina     
  10.5.2 Brazil     
  10.5.3 Chile     
  10.5.4 Rest of South America     
 10.6 Middle East & Africa      
  10.6.1 Saudi Arabia     
  10.6.2 UAE     
  10.6.3 Qatar     
  10.6.4 South Africa     
  10.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa     
        
11 Key Developments       
 11.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures      
 11.2 Acquisitions & Mergers      
 11.3 New Product Launch      
 11.4 Expansions      
 11.5 Other Key Strategies      
        
12 Company Profiling       
 12.1 BASF SE      
 12.2 ExxonMobil Corporation      
 12.3 LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.      
 12.4 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.      
 12.5 Evonik Industries AG      
 12.6 Honeywell International Inc.      
 12.7 Enterprise Products Partners L.P.      
 12.8 TPC Group      
 12.9 Nizhnekamskneftekhim      
 12.10 Shandong Huachao Chemical Co., Ltd.      
 12.11 Praxair Technology, Inc.      
 12.12 Global Bioenergies      
 12.13 Sinopec Group      
 12.14 Reliance Industries Limited      
 12.15 INEOS Group      
 12.16 Lanzatech      
 12.17 ABI Chemicals      
 12.18 Vinati Organics Limited      
        
List of Tables        
1 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Region (2022-2030) ($MN)       
2 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Product Type (2022-2030) ($MN)       
3 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
4 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
5 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Grade (2022-2030) ($MN)       
6 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By High Purity (>99%) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
7 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Standard Grade (<99%) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
8 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Production Process (2022-2030) ($MN)       
9 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
10 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By MTBE Cracking (2022-2030) ($MN)       
11 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By TBA Dehydration (2022-2030) ($MN)       
12 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Isobutane Dehydrogenation (2022-2030) ($MN)       
13 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Application (2022-2030) ($MN)       
14 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Butyl Rubber (2022-2030) ($MN)       
15 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Polyisobutylene (2022-2030) ($MN)       
16 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) (2022-2030) ($MN)       
17 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Fuel Additives (2022-2030) ($MN)       
18 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Antioxidants (2022-2030) ($MN)       
19 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Adhesives & Sealants (2022-2030) ($MN)       
20 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Lubricant Additives (2022-2030) ($MN)       
21 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By End User (2022-2030) ($MN)       
22 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Automotive & Transportation (2022-2030) ($MN)       
23 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Aerospace (2022-2030) ($MN)       
24 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Chemical & Petrochemical (2022-2030) ($MN)       
25 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals (2022-2030) ($MN)       
26 Global Isobutylene Market Outlook, By Industrial Manufacturing (2022-2030) ($MN)       
        
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.        

List of Figures

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY


Research Methodology

We at Stratistics opt for an extensive research approach which involves data mining, data validation, and data analysis. The various research sources include in-house repository, secondary research, competitor’s sources, social media research, client internal data, and primary research.

Our team of analysts prefers the most reliable and authenticated data sources in order to perform the comprehensive literature search. With access to most of the authenticated data bases our team highly considers the best mix of information through various sources to obtain extensive and accurate analysis.

Each report takes an average time of a month and a team of 4 industry analysts. The time may vary depending on the scope and data availability of the desired market report. The various parameters used in the market assessment are standardized in order to enhance the data accuracy.

Data Mining

The data is collected from several authenticated, reliable, paid and unpaid sources and is filtered depending on the scope & objective of the research. Our reports repository acts as an added advantage in this procedure. Data gathering from the raw material suppliers, distributors and the manufacturers is performed on a regular basis, this helps in the comprehensive understanding of the products value chain. Apart from the above mentioned sources the data is also collected from the industry consultants to ensure the objective of the study is in the right direction.

Market trends such as technological advancements, regulatory affairs, market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges) are obtained from scientific journals, market related national & international associations and organizations.

Data Analysis

From the data that is collected depending on the scope & objective of the research the data is subjected for the analysis. The critical steps that we follow for the data analysis include:

  • Product Lifecycle Analysis
  • Competitor analysis
  • Risk analysis
  • Porters Analysis
  • PESTEL Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis

The data engineering is performed by the core industry experts considering both the Marketing Mix Modeling and the Demand Forecasting. The marketing mix modeling makes use of multiple-regression techniques to predict the optimal mix of marketing variables. Regression factor is based on a number of variables and how they relate to an outcome such as sales or profits.


Data Validation

The data validation is performed by the exhaustive primary research from the expert interviews. This includes telephonic interviews, focus groups, face to face interviews, and questionnaires to validate our research from all aspects. The industry experts we approach come from the leading firms, involved in the supply chain ranging from the suppliers, distributors to the manufacturers and consumers so as to ensure an unbiased analysis.

We are in touch with more than 15,000 industry experts with the right mix of consultants, CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, managers, experts from both supply side and demand side, executives and so on.

The data validation involves the primary research from the industry experts belonging to:

  • Leading Companies
  • Suppliers & Distributors
  • Manufacturers
  • Consumers
  • Industry/Strategic Consultants

Apart from the data validation the primary research also helps in performing the fill gap research, i.e. providing solutions for the unmet needs of the research which helps in enhancing the reports quality.


For more details about research methodology, kindly write to us at info@strategymrc.com

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