Global 1-Butene Market Strategic Research Report

Scope of the Report

The global 1-Butene market size is predicted to grow from US$ 33,600 million in 2025 to US$ 45,650 million in 2032; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2026 to 2032.

In 2025, global sales volume of 1-butene reached 27.41 million tons, with an average price of $1,253 per ton.

1-Butene, also known as Butene-1 orα-Butylene, is a linear alpha-olefin. It is a flammable and colorless gas at room temperature. 1-Butene can be manufactured by the dimerization of ethylene or the separation from crude C4 stream. As an important chemical raw materials, 1-Butene is widely used in the production of polybutylene, maleic anhydride, butanol and so on.

Global 1-Butene key players include Evonik, Shell, ExxonMobil, CP Chemical, etc. Global top four manufacturers hold a share over 55%. Europe is the largest market, with a share about 15%, followed by Asia, and North America, both have a share about 25 percent. In terms of product, Crude C4 Seperation Product is the largest segment, with a share over 70%. And in terms of application, the largest application is Polyethylene, followed by Secondary butyl alcohol(SBA)/Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 1,3-Butadiene, etc.

The raw materials and cost structures for 1-butene production vary significantly depending on the specific manufacturing process employed. For the C4 fraction separation method, the primary feedstock consists of C4 fractions—byproducts generated by steam cracking units or FCC units—which contain approximately 10% to 15% 1-butene and exist as a mixture alongside isobutene, 2-butene, butadiene, butane, and other components. In the cost structure of this production route, raw materials (the C4 fraction) constitute the dominant factor; C4 prices are directly influenced by the prices of naphtha and crude oil, as well as the operating rates of cracking units. When cracking units primarily utilize light feedstocks (such as ethane), the yield of C4 fractions decreases, leading to tighter supplies of 1-butene and upward pressure on prices. The separation process involves multiple stages—including extractive distillation (to remove isobutene), selective hydrogenation (to remove butadiene), and standard distillation (to separate 2-butene)—resulting in high energy consumption and significant capital investment in equipment; furthermore, solvent loss and recovery efficiency also play a role in determining overall costs. Conversely, the ethylene dimerization method relies on ethylene as its sole feedstock; under the catalysis of nickel-based homogeneous catalysts (such as PNP ligand complexes) and co-catalysts (such as methylaluminoxane [MAO] or diethylaluminum chloride [DEAC]), ethylene undergoes selective dimerization to yield a product with a purity exceeding 99.5%. In the cost structure of this production route, ethylene feedstock accounts for the largest share (ethylene prices typically constitute 60%–70% of production costs); although catalysts and co-catalysts (nickel complexes and aluminum compounds) are consumed in small quantities, their high unit costs contribute significantly to overall expenses. The advantages of this route include high product purity, the elimination of the need for complex separation processes, immunity to fluctuations in C4 feedstock supply, and the potential for integration with ethylene production facilities to reduce logistics costs.

Key Questions Addressed in this Report

What is the 10-year outlook for the global 1-Butene market?

What factors are driving 1-Butene market growth, globally and by region?

Which technologies are poised for the fastest growth by market and region?

How do 1-Butene market opportunities vary by end market size?

How does 1-Butene break out by Type, by Application?

This report presents a comprehensive overview of the global 1-Butene market, covering market size and forecast, segmentation by product type and application, competitive landscape, leading players and regional and country-level outlook.

Segment by Type

• Crude C4 Seperation
• Ethylene Dimerization
• Other

Segment by Purity

• ≥99.0%
• 93%-98.5%

Segment by Product Form

• Gas
• Liquid

Segment by Application

• Polyethylene
• Secondary butyl alcohol(SBA) or Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
• 1,3-Butadiene
• Others

Who Can Use This Report?

This report is written for decision-makers who need a clear, data-backed view of the global 1-Butene market:

• Manufacturers, suppliers and solution providers benchmarking their position and planning product, capacity and go-to-market strategy
• Distributors, channel partners and end users in Polyethylene, Secondary butyl alcohol(SBA) or Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 1,3-Butadiene evaluating demand and sourcing options
• Investors, financial analysts and consultants assessing growth opportunities, competitive dynamics and M&A potential
• Government agencies, industry associations and research institutions tracking industry developments and policy impact