Marketing Section Luke Version 2

To determine the viability of this proposal, it was necessary to determine the

presence of a market. Desire for succinic acid and its derivatives was established
using data from a variety of sources.
(https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/BuildYourOwnTables/Pages/Table.aspx).
Global market volume for succinic acid in 2011 was approximately 40,000
tonnes. Of this, only 1150 (~3%) tonnes were from bio sources. Volume
increased dramatically in 2014 to 225,870 tonnes, with 82$ being bio-derived.
The market is expected to reach a minimum of 642,450 tonnes by 2018. To
facilitate this, high capacity bio-derived succinic acid plants must be brought
online.
http://www.bioconsept.eu/wp-content/uploads/BioConSepT_Market-potential-forselected-platform-chemicals_ppt1.pdf

Tetrahydrofuran
THF is a cyclic ether with two main uses
within industry; as a monomer in
polytetramethylene ether glycol
production, or as a solvent in the PVC
cements and coatings. Additionally it can
be used as a reaction solvent.
(https://www.ihs.com/products/tetrahydrof
uran-chemical-economics-handbook.html)
In recent years, THF production has
expanded within china, however, this
production does not meet demand, and
Figure 1 - Worldwide THF Consumption
import of THF is necessary. This
http://www.bioconsept.eu/wpcontent/uploads/BioConSepT_Market-potential-for-selected-platformchemicals_ppt1.pdfincrease in supply however had the effect of reducing prices
from 2012 onwards. This trend is expected to continue through to 2020, with
Chinese demand for THF increasing at 3.6% annually.

Mass of THF Imported and Exported

6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00

Mass of THF (kTonnes)

2.00
1.00
0.00
-1.00
-2.00

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

THF volume transported through the UK has shown a general decline over the
past four years, however, there is still a disparity in imports and exports from the
EU. This shows there is still desire within the UK for high quality THF. Additionally,
a discrepancy exists in non-EU trade shows the infrastructure is already in place
to export THF to China.

THF Import and Export Prices

25
20
15
10

Price of THF (/kg)

5
0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

GBL Market Info

Gamma Butyrolactone is a common bulk chemical with varied industrial uses.
GBL can be used as; an intermediate in the manufacture of pyrrolidones, an
industrial solvent, a reagent for herbicide production, and as a processing aid in

pharmaceutical production. https://www.americanchemistry.com/GammaButyrolactone-and-Butanediol/ Widespread industrial use of this chemical has led
to a rising demand worldwide, with growth expected at 7-8% annualy. Localised
growth varies strongly, with increases of 4% expected in America, but up to 10%
is anticipated in China.

Mass of GBL Imported and Exported

800
700
600
500
400
300
200

Mass of GBL (Tonnes)

100
0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

GBL Import and Export Prices

GBL Price (/kg)

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

BDO Market Data

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/14-butanediol-market-size-to-reach695-billion-by-2020-grand-view-research-inc-528622771.html

Mass of BDO Imported and Exported

2000
1500
1000

Mass of BDO (Tonnes)

500
0
-500

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016