Buta-1,3-diene (Butadiene) – Uses, Prices, and Production

This blog is the eleventh in a series of blogs I plan to write providing use, price, and production data on high-use inorganic and organic chemicals.  Click here to see the first blog in this series and a list of chemicals to be featured.  This blog provides data on buta-1,3-diene (butadiene).  The primary purpose of these blogs is to present estimates of recent price, production, and sales revenues for the chemicals.

Uses.  Uses of butadiene include:

Ø  As a starting material in the manufacture of several polymers such as: polybutadiene, poly-chloroprene (neoprene), and nitrile butadiene;

Ø  In the manufacture of polyamides; and

Ø  In the manufacture of styrene-butadiene latex.

These chemicals are used in such products as: tires; gloves; foams; hoses; gaskets; seals; nylons; adhesives; and binders.

Prices.  An average 2019 global butadiene price range is estimated to be $500 per metric ton (mt).          

Production.  Butadiene is primarily obtained as a co-product from the breaking down, using thermal cracking, of complex hydrocarbons in petroleum and in natural gas.  Then pure butadiene is distilled out of the results of this process.

From the internet, estimated 2019 global production of butadiene is 14 million mt.  Using 14 million mt produced and an average per mt price of $500 (see Prices above) gives revenues generated by butadiene in 2019 of $7 billion (14 million mt times $500 per mt).