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The neopentyl polyhydric alcohols discussed in this report include pentaerythritol,
neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane (TMP), trimethylolethane (TME) and dimethylolpropionic
acid.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of neopentyl polyhydric alcohols:
World production/consumption of neopentyl polyhydric alcohols was almost 930
thousand metric tons in 2005. Global capacity utilization was higher in 2005
than in 2001 as a result of stronger demand, increased production and rationalized
capacity. Between 2001 and 2005, world capacity for neopentyl polyhydric alcohols
grew at an average annual rate of 4.2%, a lower rate than world consumption,
which grew at an average annual rate of 6.0% during the same period.
Europe, China, the United States, and Japan are the largest markets for neopentyl
polyhydric alcohols, accounting for nearly 80% of world consumption in 2005.
Demand for neopentyl polyhydric alcohols in the United States is expected to
grow at a moderate rate of 2.0%, largely because of near-zero growth in demand
for pentaerythritol during 2005–2010. European consumption is forecast
to experience significant growth, mainly as a result of continued rapid consumption
growth for neopentyl glycol. Consumption of neopentyl polyhydric alcohols in
Japan is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.3% during 2005–2010
because of continuing weak construction and manufacturing activity. Other Asian
consumption, excluding Japan, is expected to grow at 4.7% annually during the
same period; China is the main growth factor in this region.
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