This chart shows Butanol price assessments in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 5 locations, as follows:
- Butanol, US (United States): Butanol, export transaction price, fob, United States
- Butanol, CN (China): Butanol, domestic spot price, exw, China
- Butanol, SEA (Southeast Asia): Butanol, import transaction price, cfr, Singapore (netforward from fob South Africa)
- Butanol, EUR (Europe): Butanol, import transaction price, cfr, Germany (netforward from fob South Africa)
- Butanol, AFR (Africa): Butanol, export transaction price, fob, South Africa
The chart above is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices. Subscribe and access now current prices of 225 commodities, including Butanol.
Data Use
Butanol prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 225 commodities worldwide.
Intratec's methodology employs a structured big data strategy that utilizes advanced technologies to extract publicly available data from primary sources such as governmental trade records, statistics bureaus, and international agencies.
This data is then processed through mathematical models to generate reliable assessments, published at the very beginning of each month. To better understand the data provided check Intratec Primary Commodity Prices Methodology.
Data Delivery Methods
Butanol price assessments are available via different delivery methods:
- Online charts
- Directly into Excel (using Intratec Add-in)
- Power BI dashboards
- Web API (to facilitate integration with existing workflows)
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Butanol Price Outlook
Butanol Price Outlook. The price of Butanol (United States) increased during May 2020 to 741 USD per metric ton, which represents a slight rise of 3% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, the prices of Butanol (United States) decreased significantly by 15%. Meanwhile, the average price of Butanol (China) amounted to 793 USD per metric ton, from 915 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the price of Butanol (China) is 13% higher than the price one month before.
The price of Butanol (Southeast Asia) declined considerably throughout May 2020, reaching 540 USD per metric ton. The price is 18% lower than the average price in the previous month and 28% lower than the average price one year before. In contrast, the prices of Butanol (Africa) decreased significantly during May 2020, reaching 498 USD per metric ton, which means a decline of 19% from the previous month’s price and a decline of 30% from the previous year’s price.
The prices of Butanol (Europe) experienced a significant decline of 115 USD per metric ton from the prior month's price, to 559 USD per metric ton. Such price movement meant a decrease of 17% on a monthly basis and a decrease of 27% on a yearly basis.
About Butanol
About Butanol. Butanol (a.k.a. Butyl Alcohol, BuOH, Bio-Butanol) encompasses the aliphatic saturated C4 alcohols of empirical formula C4H10O. Among five structurally isomeric alcohols, 1-Butanol (or n-Butanol) and isobutanol (2-methyl-1-propanol) are the most commercially relevant, being used in a wide range of applications. Actually, it is worth noting that 1-butanol production plants also can be used for the manufacture of 2-methyl-1-propanol. Normal butanol is found naturally as a fermentation product of carbohydrates, as well as a crude oil derivative. The alcohol is a colorless liquid with a vinous odor, highly soluble in water, and present in a variety of foods and beverages, one of its main uses. It is also used extensively as an industrial intermediate in many processes.
n-Butanol was first industrially produced back in 1912, from carbohydrates fermentation. Since then, in light of the growing demand for that alcohol, several manufacturing processes have been developed, including aldolization of acetaldehyde followed by hydrogenation, propylene carbonylation (Reppe synthesis), and, most importantly, hydrogenation of n-butyraldehyde derived from propylene hydroformylation. When produced from renewable sources, Butanol may be referred to as Bio-Butanol or Green Butanol.
Butanol Handling. n-Butanol is a liquid at room temperature, and it is very flammable (flash point at 36 °C) in both liquid and vapor forms, so it should be transported and stored away from heat sources in tightly closed containers. Untreated mild steel or enameled steel drums and stainless steel containers can be used for Butanol storage, provided moisture ingress is prevented. Storage under dry nitrogen is also used to limit flammability hazards. Its storage should also be in well-ventilated areas. Butanol is transported in rail and road tank cars, drums, tanker vessels, and containers.
Butanol Production. Butanol is primarily produced from n-butyraldehyde, obtained in turn from the hydroformylation (Oxo reaction) of propylene. This chemical is also produced as coproduct in the Fischer Tropsch synthesis of methanol. In developing countries, there is considerable Butanol production from fermentation of molasses or corn products. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Butanol are listed below.
- Propylene (hydroformylation/Oxo process, followed by hydrogenation of the butyraldehyde intermediate, catalyzed by a compound of cobalt, zinc and rhodium),
- Molasses (such as corn) (fermentation, with acetone and ethanol as coproducts),
- Propylene + carbon monoxide + water (Reppe reaction)
Butanol Uses. The uses and applications of Butanol may vary according to its specification. Typically, pure Butanol is commercialized, with a 99% minimum purity.