Top 10 Companies in the 1,3-Butanediol Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Chemical Innovation

In Business Insights
January 13, 2026

The Global 1,3-Butanediol Market was valued at USD 146 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 201 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is being driven by expanding demand from the cosmetics industry, increasing use in industrial applications like polyester plasticizers, and the nascent adoption of bio-based production methods.

As the specialty chemicals industry pivots toward sustainable and high-performance ingredients, the focus turns to the key manufacturers driving production, innovation, and market expansion. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the 1,3-Butanediol Industry—a group of established chemical giants and innovative producers shaping the future of this versatile compound.


🔟 1. OXEA GmbH

Headquarters: Monheim am Rhein, Germany
Key Offering: High-Purity 1,3-Butanediol, Chemical Intermediates

OXEA, a subsidiary of Oman Oil Company, is a global leader in oxo chemicals and a dominant force in the 1,3-Butanediol market. The company leverages its extensive production infrastructure and technological expertise to supply high-quality BDO to the cosmetic and industrial sectors worldwide.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Vertically integrated production ensuring supply chain stability

  • Strong focus on R&D for product purity and application development

  • Strategic partnerships with major cosmetic and polymer manufacturers

Download FREE Sample Report: 1,3-Butanediol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. DAICEL Corporation

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: 1,3-BDO, Specialty Chemicals, Bio-based Variants

DAICEL is a major Japanese chemical company with a significant presence in the 1,3-Butanediol market. The corporation is known for its high-quality standards and is actively investing in sustainable production technologies to cater to the growing demand for eco-friendly chemicals.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Expansion of production capacity in Asian markets

  • Development of bio-based 1,3-BDO to meet green chemistry demands


8️⃣ 3. KH Neochem Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity 1,3-BDO for Cosmetics, Customized Grades

KH Neochem specializes in high-value applications of 1,3-Butanediol, particularly for the cosmetics industry. The company’s ability to produce customized purity grades makes it a preferred supplier for premium skincare and haircare brands, especially in the sophisticated Japanese and South Korean markets.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Focus on high-margin cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications

  • Technological expertise in purification and customization


7️⃣ 4. Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Bio-based 1,3-Butanediol, Sustainable Chemicals

Godavari Biorefineries is a key player in the bio-chemical space, focusing on sustainable production methods. The company is exploring fermentation-based routes for 1,3-BDO production, positioning itself as an important supplier in the emerging green chemistry segment.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Pioneering bio-based production in the Indian market

  • Leveraging agricultural feedstocks for sustainable chemical synthesis

Download FREE Sample Report: 1,3-Butanediol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.

Headquarters: New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: USP/NF, FCC, Laboratory Grade 1,3-BDO

Spectrum Chemical is a leading global supplier of high-purity chemicals, including pharmaceutical and food-grade 1,3-Butanediol. The company serves a diverse customer base in North America and Europe, emphasizing stringent quality control and regulatory compliance.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Specialization in high-purity grades for regulated industries

  • Extensive distribution network for laboratory and industrial customers


5️⃣ 6. Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Hefei, Anhui, China
Key Offering: Industrial Grade 1,3-BDO, Chemical Exports

Hefei TNJ Chemical is a significant Chinese manufacturer and exporter of 1,3-Butanediol. The company benefits from cost-effective production capabilities and plays a crucial role in supplying the Asian market, particularly for industrial applications like plasticizers.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Competitive pricing driven by local manufacturing advantages

  • Focus on expanding export markets beyond Asia


4️⃣ 7. LanzaTech Inc.

Headquarters: Skokie, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: CarbonSmart™ 1,3-Butanediol, Gas Fermentation Technology

LanzaTech is an innovative biotechnology company that produces 1,3-Butanediol through its proprietary gas fermentation process, which captures carbon emissions to create chemicals. This approach represents a paradigm shift toward circular carbon economy models.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Revolutionary carbon capture and utilization technology

  • Strategic partnerships with major energy and consumer goods companies


3️⃣ 8. Merck KGaA

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Life Science Reagents, High-Purity 1,3-BDO

Merck KGaA, through its life science division, supplies high-purity 1,3-Butanediol for research, pharmaceutical, and bioprocessing applications. The company’s strong emphasis on quality makes it a key supplier for critical and sensitive applications.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Focus on high-value life science and electronics sectors

  • Integration into broader portfolio of specialty chemicals and reagents


2️⃣ 9. Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (TCI)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Laboratory Chemicals, High-Grade 1,3-BDO

TCI is a renowned supplier of high-purity laboratory chemicals, including 1,3-Butanediol for research and development purposes. The company serves academic institutions, pharmaceutical R&D, and industrial laboratories globally.

Innovation & Market Strategy:

  • Extensive catalog of high-purity organic compounds

  • Strong presence in academic and pharmaceutical research markets


1️⃣ 10. Other Key Regional Players

Headquarters: Various
Key Offering: Niche 1,3-BDO production, Local market supply

Beyond the global leaders, several regional players contribute significantly to local 1,3-Butanediol supply chains. These companies often focus on specific applications or regional markets, providing essential flexibility and resilience to the global supply network.

Market Role:

  • Fill supply gaps in emerging markets

  • Provide tailored solutions for local industrial needs

Get Full Report Here: 1,3-Butanediol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of 1,3-Butanediol Is Sustainable and Diversified

The 1,3-Butanediol market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional chemical synthesis still dominates production, the industry is increasingly investing in bio-based alternatives, advanced purification technologies, and new application development.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for natural and sustainable ingredients in cosmetics

  • Development of fermentation-based production methods

  • Exploration of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications

  • Geographic expansion into emerging Asian and South American markets

Get Full Report Here: 1,3-Butanediol Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical chemical intermediate—they’re driving the innovation and sustainability that will define the future of multiple industries.