Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) Market Outlook, Supply, Demand Analysis, 2025-2034

Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) Market

Methyl isobutyl ketone is a stable colorless organic liquid with a faint odour of camphor. It has a medium evaporation range and is miscible with many organic solvents. It is widely used in the extraction of rare earth metals, and manufacturing coating solvents. It possesses strong separating and dewaxing properties, which can be used for purifying different chemicals and mineral oils, apart from butanol and stearic acid.

The substance finds a wide range of applications, including degreasing of metal surfaces; extractant for certain metals, antibiotics, and dewaxing of mineral oils; production of synthetic leather; manufacture of aluminium foil and transparent paper; nitro-cellulose (along with few other natural and synthetic resins, herbicides, plastics, and adhesives).

Global Supply/Demand Outlook

The global methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market stood at a volume of around 470 KT in 2023. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3% between 2025 and 2034 to reach a volume of about 607.3 KT by 2032. The key factor propelling the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market is its rapidly increasing application as a solvent. Around 50 % of the total MIBK produced globally is consumed as a solvent, with its primary end uses encompassing in cellulose-based and resin-based coatings and adhesives. It also serves as an extraction solvent for antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals and is used for metal separation in rare-metal extraction as a solvent.

MIBK’s effectiveness as a solvent in producing high-quality coatings for various applications supports the market. Moreover, increasing construction activities and growing investments in infrastructure development are expected to enhance the demand for coatings and adhesives in the construction sector, providing substantial opportunities for the market expansion.

The global capacity of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) was about 590 KT in the year 2023. It is estimated to reach 770 KT by 2032. The Asia Pacific region holds the major share of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) capacities, representing more than 50% of the global production capacity. With no major capacity additions scheduled until 2025, countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and South Africa are expected to continue to be the key producer of MIBK. The plant capacity utilization of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) stood at 80% in 2023.

Key Market Players

The top five players in the global methyl isobutyl ketone market are Kumho P&B Chemicals, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Sasol Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. Among these, Sasol Ltd. is the market leader, accounting for the largest market share. Sasol’s Ketones business comprises acetone, MIBK (methyl iso-butyl ketone), and methyl ethyl ketone as its major products, and it offers MIBK of 99.5% mass purity.

Other significant manufacturers of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) are Solvay SA, Celanese Corporation, Arkema S.A., KH Neochem Co., Ltd., Monument Chemical, and Zhejiang Xinhua Co., Ltd., among others.

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

• What are the high-growth opportunities and markets for methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) by application and region?

• Which segments and regions are projected to grow at a faster pace and why in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• What is the nameplate capacity of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) by region from 2018 to 2032?

• How does the plant capacity utilisation of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) vary by region between 2018 and 2034?

• Who are the major players in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market by capacity and region?

• What major plant shutdowns and expansions have occurred in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market in the last year and the last quarter?

• What major plant shutdowns and expansions are planned in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market over the next year and quarters?

• How did export and import dynamics of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) vary by region in terms of value between 2018 and 2023?

• How did export and import dynamics of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) vary by region in terms of volume between 2018 and 2023?

• What impacts have shutdowns, force majeure events, and plant closures had on demand and pricing of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)?

• What are the environmental considerations and regulatory impacts affecting the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• What technological innovations are having an impact on the production and application of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)?

• What are the key trends and innovations in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• What are the challenges and opportunities faced by methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) manufacturers?

• What are the potential risks and barriers to entry for new players in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• What strategic investments and expansions have major players made in the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• How are geopolitical factors and international trade policies affecting the global methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) market?

• What are the price trends for methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and how are they expected to change?

• How does the supply chain of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) operate, and what are its key components?