CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

Methyl ethyl ketone is a colorless, stable, flammable liquid with an odor similar to that of acetone. It is miscible with water and a variety of organic solvents. Its exceptional solvency makes it a powerful and valuable solvent for many substances, especially resinous materials.

Coating solvents continue to consume the majority of MEK. Worldwide, almost 50% of MEK was consumed for this application in 2009. There will be little change in the world MEK market breakdown by 2014. However, there are slight regional variations. Although printing inks make up only 10% of the MEK market, this application will experience the highest growth rate during 2009–2014, especially in China.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of MEK:

MEK prices seesawed during 2004–2009. A tight market and high raw material costs in 2004 and into 2005 caused prices to rise before they started falling in mid-2005 through 2007 as a result of lower demand and a more balanced supply/demand scenario. By mid-2008, escalating raw material costs sent MEK prices higher before the economic downturn (and subsequent weak demand and lower raw material costs) brought them back down in 2009.

World MEK consumption is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 1.9% during 2009–2014. Most of that growth will come from Asia Pacific. Because of the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009, consumption contracted significantly in the developed regions, particularly in 2009. MEK consumption may increase modestly during 2011–2014 in the developed regions as it tries to regain some lost volume.