The global furfural market demand was 300 kilotons in 2013. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2014 to 2020. The strong shift towards the development of bio-based chemicals on account of volatile petrochemical prices and growing environmental concerns is expected to remain a key driver for the growth of global furfural market. A strong push for sustainable chemistry on a political and regulatory level across key regions is expected to play a critical role in furfural market development.
Furfural has gained acceptance as a substitute for petrochemicals as a building block for polymers and solid elastomers. In addition, furfural derivatives such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and polytetrahydrofuran (poly-THF) have also been gaining importance as potential secondary fuel sources. This trend is expected to drive further furfural demand over the next six years.
Rising concerns regarding environmental effects such as biodegradability and carbon footprint associated with conventional petrochemical based products is expected to remain a key driving factor for global furfural market. Furfural is derived from biomass of crops such as corncobs and sugar bagasse. Its chemical properties are similar to that of petrochemicals and it is recognized as a platform chemical for development of polyols, elastomers, fibers and biofuels.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Registration Evaluation Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regarding the development of bio-based products is also expected to have a positive influence on the market growth. Relatively low pricing by Chinese manufacturers has led to anti-dumping duty on Chinese exports by U.S. International Trade Commission and European Commission in the recent past. On account of which, the Chinese export trade is expected to be hindered which in turn is expected to pose challenges to the global market regarding supply.
Production technologies involved in furfural production have witnessed very little advancement in the past. Many manufacturers produce furfural at less than 50% yield through Quaker Oats technology. Advancements in production processes are necessary to improve yield and reduce production costs. Increasing R&D activities are being conducted by various companies and research institutes to improve the production process. However, these processes are not commercially operational. Obsolete production technologies are expected to pose challenges to market participants.
Furfuryl alcohol emerged as the largest application segment and accounted for over 85% of overall market in 2013. Furfuryl alcohol is primarily used as a binder in foundries. Growing demand for metals such as steel, magnesium and copper on account of rapid industrialization in emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America is expected to drive is expected to fuel the demand for furfuryl alcohol.
Increasing demand for furfural in solvent applications such as lubricating oils and in butadiene extractions is expected to drive the market growth over the next six years. Moreover, growing importance for bio-based solvents on account of increasing environmental concerns is expected to further drive demand in solvent applications. In addition, increasing use of furfural in chemical processing as a raw material source is expected to further drive the market growth.
Furan derivatives find application in polymers, textiles, and construction materials to name a few of the high-volume market. Novel applications in timber treatment, soil conditioning and biofuels have also emerged over a couple of years. Furfural has also been gaining prominence as a sustainable blend-stock in fuels such as diesel. High oxygen content in it compared to conventional fuel additives improves combustion and reduces smoke emissions in diesel engines, consequently lowering diesel costs and dependence on crude oil.
Asia Pacific emerged as the leading region with China alone accounting for over 70% of total market volume in 2013. High rates of export of furfuryl alcohol, due to growing demand for furan resins is expected to have a positive impact on the Chinese furfural market. The presence of corn fields and advisable weather for maintaining the content of furfural has had a positive influence on the regional market.
The growth of major end-use industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and flavoring intermediates is expected to increase the demand over the forecast period. India is expected to emerge as a significant market due to growing demand for industrial products. Growth in the refinery, grinding &abrasive wheels, pharmaceuticals and phenolic resins in India is expected to drive the regional market. Western Europe is expected to follow Asia Pacific. Strong environmental regulations in this region are expected to drive the regional furfural market.
Global furfural market is fragmented as the top four companies accounted for over 45% of the total market in 2013. Furfural market is oligopolistic in nature, creating high barriers for new entrants such as large scale agro based manufacturers. Major market participants include Teiling, Central Romana, TransFuran, Illovo Sugar, Xing Tai Chunlei, Nutrafur Furfural Espanol and KRBL Ltd.
Teiling North Furfural Co. accounted for 17.2% to emerge as the leading furfural producer in 2013. Central Romana Corporation followed Teiling as the second largest producer and accounted for 12.1% of the share in 2013. The company is the largest sugar producer in Dominican Republic and utilizes sugar bagasse as a raw material to produce furfural. TransFurans Chemicals was the third largest producer and accounted for 10.3% of the share in 2013. The company is also involved in R&D to improve furfuryl alcohol production.
Chinese producers hold the lion share of the market and hence the global prices of the material are mainly determined by the Chinese domestic issues including labor cost, government policies, and natural calamities. The presence of a large number of small-scale manufacturers imposes threats to the large MNCs in terms of their price offerings in quality.
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