May 25, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Europe – Buta-1,3-Diene And Isoprene – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by increasing demand for buta-1,3-diene and isoprene in Europe, the market is projected to grow with a +1.7% CAGR in volume and +1.5% CAGR in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth trend is expected to bring the market volume to 4.6M tons and the market value to $6.1B by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for buta-1,3-diene and isoprene in Europe, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.6M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Europe’s Consumption of Buta-1,3-Diene And Isoprene
In 2024, the amount of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene consumed in Europe rose slightly to 3.9M tons, surging by 3.7% on the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, consumption attained the peak volume at 4.1M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The revenue of the buta-1,3-diene and isoprene market in Europe expanded notably to $5.1B in 2024, with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $5.8B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were France (943K tons), Russia (583K tons) and Germany (488K tons), together comprising 52% of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest buta-1,3-diene and isoprene markets in Europe were France ($1B), Russia ($902M) and Germany ($556M), with a combined 48% share of the total market. The UK, the Czech Republic, Spain, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.
In terms of the main consuming countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene per capita consumption in 2024 were France (14 kg per person), Portugal (8.4 kg per person) and the UK (7.1 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +3.2%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
Europe’s Production of Buta-1,3-Diene And Isoprene
In 2024, the amount of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene produced in Europe was estimated at 4M tons, stabilizing at 2023. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 18%. The volume of production peaked at 4.5M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, buta-1,3-diene and isoprene production stood at $4.7B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $5.8B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were France (800K tons), Russia (583K tons) and Germany (539K tons), with a combined 48% share of total production. The UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Romania, Portugal and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +36.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
Europe’s Imports of Buta-1,3-Diene And Isoprene
In 2024, approx. 504K tons of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene were imported in Europe; which is down by -9% on the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 889K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, buta-1,3-diene and isoprene imports amounted to $529M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 99%. The level of import peaked at $1.1B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, France (149K tons), distantly followed by Germany (90K tons), Poland (70K tons), the Netherlands (54K tons), the Czech Republic (45K tons) and Belgium (41K tons) were the key importers of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene, together committing 89% of total imports. Spain (23K tons) took a minor share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest buta-1,3-diene and isoprene importing markets in Europe were France ($156M), Germany ($91M) and Poland ($72M), with a combined 60% share of total imports. The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.
In terms of the main importing countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +6.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in Europe amounted to $1,050 per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 69%. The level of import peaked at $1,552 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($1,157 per ton) and Belgium ($1,056 per ton), while Spain ($924 per ton) and the Czech Republic ($987 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (-3.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.
Exports
Europe’s Exports of Buta-1,3-Diene And Isoprene
In 2024, overseas shipments of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene decreased by -22.3% to 606K tons, falling for the seventh year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 35%. The volume of export peaked at 1.2M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, buta-1,3-diene and isoprene exports fell to $618M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 80% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $1.4B. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
The Netherlands was the major exporter of buta-1,3-diene and isoprene in Europe, with the volume of exports accounting for 285K tons, which was approx. 47% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Germany (142K tons), Belgium (117K tons) and Hungary (34K tons), together comprising a 48% share of total exports. Portugal (11K tons) took a minor share of total exports.
Exports from the Netherlands decreased at an average annual rate of -3.0% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Belgium (+20.9%) and Hungary (+11.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +20.9% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Germany (-5.7%) and Portugal (-10.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands increased by +18, +5.6 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively.
In value terms, the largest buta-1,3-diene and isoprene supplying countries in Europe were the Netherlands ($283M), Germany ($150M) and Belgium ($123M), together accounting for 90% of total exports. Hungary and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.6%.
Hungary, with a CAGR of +17.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in Europe amounted to $1,020 per ton, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $1,511 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Portugal ($1,135 per ton) and Germany ($1,061 per ton), while the Netherlands ($992 per ton) and Hungary ($1,001 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.
