Ethyl Mercaptan MarketSize and Trends

Market Dynamics

Multiple applications of in various end-use industries is projected to boost demand for ethyl mercaptan over the forecast period. It is used as an intermediate and starting material in the manufacturing of plastic, insecticides, antioxidants, and as an odorant to serve as a warning property for natural gas.

Moreover, major drivers for ethyl mercaptan market growth include its application as a warning agent. In the underground mining industry, ethanethiol or ethyl mercaptan is referred to as stench gas. The gas is released into mine ventilation systems to alert mine workers during an emergency. For instance, in 1990, Ontario, mining legislation dictates that the alarm system in an underground mine is required to contain sufficient quantities of ethyl mercaptan gas or similar gas to be readily detectable by all workers.

Market Trends

According to the global ethyl mercaptan market analysis, North America held a dominant position in the market in 2017. Owing to higher presence of chemical manufacturers in the region such as Chevron Phillips Chemical, The DOW Chemical Company, ExxonMobil, PPG Industries, the region is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period.

Among applications, the warning agent segment is projected to gain major traction over the forecast period, owing to high demand for ethyl mercaptan in the chemical and petrochemical industry.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth of the forecast period, owing to growing agrochemicals industry in the region. According to Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, India is the fourth-largest producer of agrochemicals globally, after the U.S., Japan, and China. Agrochemical product development includes a broad range of processes, which are aimed at developing a better product and possible commercialization. Rising demand for ethyl mercaptan in the agrochemical industry for use in pesticides and insecticides is expected to boost growth of the ethyl mercaptan market. In the pesticide industry, ethyl mercaptan or ethanethiol is widely used as an intermediate for pesticide manufacturing. For instance, according to the Development of National Emission Standards for Pesticides Manufacturing, ethyl mercaptan is used in the production of phorate, which is an organophosphate used as an insecticide and acaricide. It is also used as an intermediate for pharmaceutical synthesis of organophosphorus insecticides such as acesulfame, isopropoxide, endogenous phosphorus, methyl endophos, and herbicides.