2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is a colorless liquid acrylate with a pleasant odor, used in the making of paints, plastics, and adhesives. It is manufactured by esterification of acrylic acid with racemic 2-ethylhexanol in the presence of hydroquinone as a polymerization inhibitor and a strong acid such as methanesulfonic acid by reactive distillation using toluene as an azeotroping agent. It finds particular application in pressure-sensitive contexts, where it is utilized alongside transparent substrates such as polyester films, cellulose, and vinyl acetate films. Additionally, it plays a role in the manufacturing of textiles, especially when a softer texture is desired, as well as in the production of printing inks.
As of 2021, the global 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate capacity stood at 1017 thousand tons and is anticipated to reach 1250 thousand tons by 2026, primarily driven by capacities in the Asia Pacific region. BASF, Arkema, and Dow are the important players in the market with several manufacturing facilities, accounting for more than 50% of the global capacity.
In North America, BASF, Dow, and Arkema are the sole producers of 2-EHA with a total installed capacity of around 250 thousand tons. BASF and Arkema also operate 2-EHA manufacturing plants in Germany and France respectively with a total capacity of 180 thousand tons.
Asia Pacific is the largest market for 2-EHA with China dominating the market regionally and globally. In China, there are more than 5 2-EHA producers with a combined capacity of more than 300 thousand tons. Jiangsu Guojiao Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. is the leading manufacturer in China with an installed capacity of 120 thousand tons. Shanghai Huayi is the second largest producer followed by Jiangxi Ganliang Technological Development, and Jiangsu Sandie Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. with a combined production capacity of more than 160 thousand tons.
Most of the capacities are located in China and the ASEAN region, with capacities present in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The consumption in this region is rising on the back of strong demand For Adhesives, Sealants, and Paints & Coatings.
primarily driven by capacity expansions in the Asia Pacific region. The global market for 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% between 2022 and 2032. In most regions worldwide, the paints and coatings sector is expected to dominate the market, with its growth closely tied to the construction industry and the overall state of the economy. Other significant applications impacting the 2-ethylhexyl acrylate market include adhesives, sealants, and textiles.
In 2022, BASF started the construction of its new manufacturing site at Verbund, China which includes manufacturing units for Glacial Acrylic Acid (GAA), Butyl Acrylate (BA), and 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA). The plant is expected to come on stream in 2025, and the plant will produce 100 thousand tons of 2-EHA.
In 2022, BPCL announced the dispatch of its first consignment of 2-EHA produced at its Kochi Refinery to Asian Paints and Visen Industries India. The plant started production in 2021 and is the sole producer of 2-EHA with an installed capacity of 10 thousand tons.
The demand for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate was estimated to be 5.5 thousand tons in 2022, this demand has grown from 5 thousand tons in 2019 and is anticipated to reach 6.1 thousand tons by 2025, growing at a healthy CAGR of 3.5% between 2019 and 2025.
Asia Pacific is the largest market for 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate accounting for over 40% of the global market.
Western Europe is the second largest market for 2-EHA after Asia Pacific. The region consists of two manufacturing facilities located in Germany and France with a combined production capacity of 180 thousand tons.
2-EHA is widely used in adhesives, paints & coatings, textile production, and personal care products. Paints & Coatings application dominates the market with more than 35% market share and is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 3% in the long-term forecast owing to its wide range of use in Construction, Automotive, and Other industries.
Building & Construction industry is the largest consumer of 2-EHA owing to its widespread use as Coatings & Adhesives made of 2-EHA are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and heavy usage. The rising residential and commercial construction will boost the market for 2-EHA in the forecast years.
Environmental concerns and stricter regulations on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have driven the shift from solvent-based coatings to waterborne coatings. 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is a key ingredient in waterborne coatings, where it serves as a co-monomer to improve film formation and adhesion. Waterborne coatings offer low VOC emissions and reduce environmental impact, making them increasingly popular in industries like automotive, architectural, and industrial coatings. As the demand for environmentally friendly coatings continues to rise, the market for 2-EHA is expected to grow in tandem.
One of the primary drivers for the 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate market is the global construction and infrastructure development boom. The construction industry utilizes 2-EHA in the production of various coatings and adhesives for architectural coatings, industrial coatings, and adhesives for flooring, tiles, and roofing materials.
The global Construction Market is expected to grow by 85% to reach $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030, with, China-US and India leading the market and accounting for 57% of all global growth.
In India, increasing government investments in projects like the Gati Shakti Master Plan, Sagarmala Program, Bharatmala Pariyojana, development of 21 Green Field Airports in the country, etc., has made the Indian Construction market highly competitive and holds several in the upcoming years.
As urbanization continues and new construction projects emerge worldwide, there is an increasing demand for high-performance coatings and adhesives. 2-EHA is favored in these applications due to its ability to enhance the adhesion, flexibility, and durability of coatings and adhesives, making it a crucial component in the construction sector.
2-EHA is used in the manufacture of adhesives. Each adhesive is popular in the construction and automotive industries due to its ease of application, low VOC emissions, and washability. 2-EHA is a key ingredient in adhesive manufacturing because it improves the adhesion, flexibility, and durability of the final product.
Therefore, the demand and sales of 2-EHA-based adhesives will grow exponentially with the growth of end-user verticals mentioned above. Hence, increasing demand for 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in adhesives has emerged as a major driver for the market.
In some applications, there are alternative chemicals that can replace 2-EHA. Manufacturers may explore these alternatives to reduce costs or address specific performance requirements. This competitive landscape can limit the growth of 2-EHA in certain markets. In the coatings industry, manufacturers may consider other acrylic esters or monomers that offer similar properties to 2-EHA but at a lower cost.
Butyl Acrylate (BA): Butyl acrylate is an acrylic ester commonly used in coatings, adhesives, and sealants. It offers good adhesion and flexibility and can be a suitable alternative to 2-EHA in many applications.
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): MMA is a versatile monomer used in various polymerization processes. It can be used in place of 2-EHA in some applications, although it has different properties and reactivity.
Ethyl Acrylate (EA): Ethyl acrylate is another acrylic ester that can be used as an alternative to 2-EHA in certain applications as it offers good adhesion and is often used in the production of adhesives and coatings.
Exposure to 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is said to cause skin, eye, and throat reactions and, in some cases, cancer, developmental disorders, neurological disorders, cellular disorders, reproductive toxicity, and visceral toxicity. Serious health hazards can occur. The above-mentioned health-related issues have become a major challenge as they have reduced the use of the 2-ethylhexyl market, thereby reducing demand and sales.
The 2-ethylhexyl acrylate market is concentrated, with Dow, BASF, and Arkema collectively responsible for more than 50% of the global capacity. ther notable producers operating within the range of 10-40 thousand tons include LG Chem, Nippon Shokubai, Formosa Petrochemical Corp. (FPC), Toagosai, Mitsubishi Corporation, and BPCL. Asia emerges as the largest producer and consumer of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, with the region serving as a net exporter.
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