Analysis of Triacetin Market   

By Wu Ying, Wuhan Institute of Technology

1. Production

According to statistics, the output of triacetin (glyceryl triacetate) in China in 2010 was 55 000 tons, accounting for about half of the global output - 108 000 tons. The triacetin outputs of other countries in 2010 were as follows: the United States 15 000 tons, Germany 150 000 tons, UK 15 000 tons, and Japan and other countries together about 8 000 tons. In China, there are now about 20 triacetin producers. As shown in Table 1, major producers are Jiangsu Ruijia Chemical Co Ltd, Jiangsu Lemon Chemical & Technology Co Ltd, Yixing Tianyuan Chemical Co Ltd, Yixing Kaixin Chemical Co Ltd, Henan Huayin Chemical Co Ltd, Yunnan Yuxi Solvent Factory, Shanghai Jingwei Chemical Co Ltd and Hubei Jinye Chemical Co Ltd. Ruijia Chemcial is the largest triacetin producer in China. It can be seen that Yixing is the main triacetin production base in China and accounts for more than half of the country's total triacetin capacity.

Table 1 Major triacetin producers in China in 2010
Producer    Location    Capacity (kt/a)    Output (kt)
Jiangsu Ruijia Chemical Co Ltd    Yixing, Jiangsu province    20    18
Yixing Tianyuan Chemical Co Ltd    Yixing, Jiangsu province    6    5
Jiangsu Lemon Chemical & Technology Co Ltd    Yixing, Jiangsu province    3    2
Yixing Kaixin Chemical Co Ltd    Yixing, Jiangsu province    3    2    
Henan Huayin Chemical Co Ltd    Xinxiang, Henan province    10    8    
Yunnan Yuxi Solvent Factory    Yuxi, Yunnan province    3    2    
Shanghai Jingwei Chemical Co Ltd    Shanghai    3    2
Hubei Jinye Chemical Co Ltd    Wuhai, Hubei province    5    4

2. Market demand analysis

Triacetin is mainly used in tobacco, food, inks, cosmetics, casting, pharmaceuticals and dyes area. Currently, the global demand for triacetin is about 110 000 tons annually, of which China's demand accounts for about 35%. In China, the annual output of triacetin is about 55 000 tons, of which 385 000 tons is consumed domestically, and 16 500 tons is for export, and the price of triacetin is RMB10 000 - 12 000 /t. In recent years, the demand for triacetin has grown 5% to 10% annually. In the future, the demand for it will continue to maintain fast growth. The following will analyze the demand for triacetin in various areas (see Table 2).
                                                      
Table 2   Demand for triacetin in various areas   (thousand tons)
Area    Global annual demand    China's annual demand    YoY growth (%)
Tobacco    35    25    0
Casting    20    8    8-10
Food, spices, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics    40    3    10-15
Inks, dyes and plastics processing    15    2.5    10-12
Total    110    38.5    5-10

1) Tobacco industry

In the tobacco industry, triacetin is mainly used as a binder for cigarette filters, playing a plasticizing and curing role. Currently, the global tobacco industry's annual demand for triacetin is about 35 000 tons, of which China's demand is 25 000 tons. It is expected that in the future, the demand for triacetin in this area will basically remain unchanged.

2) Casting industry

In the casting industry, triacetin is mainly used as a casting sand hardener. Currently, the industry's annual demand for triacetin is about 20 000 tons globally, of which 8 000 tons comes from China. It is expected that in the future, the demand for triacetin in this area will maintain rapid growth, having an annual growth rate of 8% to 10%.

3) Food, spice, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries

Triacetin is used as a moisturizing agent, binder and plasticizer in these areas. Currently, the total annual demand for triacetin in these areas is about 40 000 tons globally, of which China occupies about 3 000 tons, well below the international level. It is expected that in the future, the demand for triacetin in these areas in China will maintain rapid growth, having an annual growth rate of 10% to 15%.

4) Inks, dyes and plastics processing industries

Triacetin is used as a plasticizer and performance improver in these areas. Currently, the total annual demand for it in these areas is about 15 000 tons globally, of which China occupies about 2 500 tons. It is expected that in the future, the demand for triacetin in these areas in China will maintain rapid growth, having an annual growth rate of 10% to 12%.