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Over half of all glycol ether consumption (including E-series and P-series) is for use as a solvent in various formulations, such as paints, inks and cleaning fluids. Nonsolvent uses for glycol ethers include hydraulic and brake fluids, anti-icing agents and chemical intermediates.
The United States is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of E-series glycol ethers. In 2006, the United States consumed about 30% of the majority of E-series glycol ethers consumed worldwide; Western Europe and China accounted for 23% and 14%, respectively. Growth in E-series glycol ether consumption will be greatest in China, the Middle East and Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. Overall, E-series glycol ether consumption will average about 3.3% per year through 2011.
Western Europe is the world’s largest producer and consumer of P-series glycol ethers. In 2006, Western Europe consumed about 46% of the majority of P-series glycol ethers consumed worldwide, followed by the United States and China, which accounted for 25% and 10%, respectively. Overall growth in P-series glycol ether consumption will be greatest in China, followed by the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. On a global basis, P-series glycol ether consumption will be the faster-growing segment, averaging about 4.7% per year through 2011.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of glycol ethers:
The trade flows for most glycol ether products are from the United States, Western Europe and Japan to Asia. The major importing countries are China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. The major exporting countries are the United States, Japan, Germany, Malaysia and France.
The glycol ether market is a relatively concentrated one, following the consolidation of the industry in the 1980s; 22 companies produce glycol ethers in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. The top six account for about 81% of total capacity. Current capacity has been insufficient to supply glycol ethers in some markets during 2007 (ethylene glycol monobutyl ethers in the United States). The glycol ether market is at continued high risk for consolidation of producers as new plant capacity will be added in China for both E-series and P-series products.
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