The Global 1,2-Butylene Oxide (BO) Market was valued at USD 648.2 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 871.9 Million by 2031, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period (2024–2031). This growth is being driven by expanding demand for polyether polyols in flexible foams, the increasing use of butylene glycol in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and the adoption of BO as a stabilizer and intermediate in high-performance chemical synthesis.

As the chemical industry pivots towards specialized, high-value intermediates for sustainable and performance-driven applications, the role of key producers becomes crucial. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the 1,2-Butylene Oxide (BO) Industry—a blend of global chemical giants and specialized manufacturers shaping the supply chains for polyurethanes, personal care, and industrial fluids.

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🔟 1. LyondellBasell Industries

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: High-purity 1,2-Butylene Oxide, PO/BO copolymers

LyondellBasell is one of the world’s largest producers of propylene oxide (PO) and its derivatives, with a significant position in the butylene oxide market through its advanced oxidation technologies. The company’s scale and integrated production provide a reliable supply of BO for polyols and specialty chemical manufacturers globally.

Market Initiatives:

• Integrated production from its large-scale olefins and polyolefins platforms.
• Investment in next-generation oxidation catalyst technologies for higher selectivity and yield.
• Strategic focus on serving the polyurethane foam industry in North America and Europe.

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9️⃣ 2. Shell Chemicals

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Butylene Oxide, C4 derivatives portfolio

Shell Chemicals leverages its extensive C4 hydrocarbon stream from global refineries and crackers to produce butylene oxide. The company is a key supplier, particularly in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions, where its chemical intermediates support downstream production of solvents, glycols, and surfactants.

Market Initiatives:

• Utilization of proprietary SM/PO (Styrene Monomer/Propylene Oxide) technology adapted for C4 streams.
• Strong logistics network for distributing volatile chemical intermediates like BO.
• Commitment to circularity by exploring bio-based routes for C4 olefins.

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8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: 1,2-Butylene Oxide, Butanediol (BDO) precursors

BASF, a leader in chemical intermediates, produces butylene oxide as a key building block within its Verbund integrated production system. Its BO is primarily used captively to manufacture 1,2-butanediol and as a monomer for specialty polyethers, supporting its massive polyurethane and care chemicals divisions.

Market Initiatives:

• Captive consumption for integrated value chains in PU and cosmetic ingredients.
• Heavy R&D investment in catalytic processes to reduce energy intensity of epoxidation.
• Global production presence ensuring supply security for key regions.

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7️⃣ 4. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Butylene Oxide, PO/BO-based Polyols

Dow is a powerhouse in epoxy and polyether chemistry, with butylene oxide playing a strategic role in its diversified intermediates portfolio. Dow’s BO is critical for modifying polyol properties in flexible foams and for producing specialty surfactants and gas treating agents.

Market Initiatives:

• Technology leadership in propoxylation/ethoxylation, utilizing BO as a co-monomer.
• Focus on developing BO-based polyols for automotive and furniture applications.
• Sustainability goals driving efficiency improvements in all oxide production.

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6️⃣ 5. Repsol SA

Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Key Offering: 1,2-BO, C4 Chemical Intermediates

Repsol, through its chemicals division, is a significant producer in Southern Europe, utilizing its refinery-integrated cracker at sites like Tarragona to isolate butylene for oxide production. It serves both the Iberian market and export destinations with high-quality BO.

Market Initiatives:

• Vertical integration from refinery to differentiated chemical products.
• Investments in digitalization to optimize the C4 separation and epoxidation processes.
• Expanding partnerships with polyol manufacturers in the Mediterranean region.

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5️⃣ 6. Huntsman Corporation

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Specialty BO-based Polyols, Performance Intermediates

Huntsman specializes in performance products and is a major consumer of butylene oxide, which it uses to tailor the properties of its JEFFOL® and TEROL® polyol ranges. The company’s expertise lies in creating BO-incorporated polyols for specific foam softness, stability, and reactivity.

Market Initiatives:

• Downstream innovation in BO-modified polyols for automotive seating and bedding.
• Strategic sourcing of BO to ensure consistent quality for performance applications.
• R&D focused on achieving desired polymer architecture using BO as a co-monomer.

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4️⃣ 7. Ineos Oxide

Headquarters: Rolle, Switzerland
Key Offering: Butylene Oxide, Ethylene Oxide, Propylene Oxide

Ineos Oxide, a division of Ineos Group, is a leading European producer of olefin oxides. While smaller in volume compared to PO and EO, its butylene oxide production is essential for niche applications, serving a network of specialty chemical companies across the continent.

Market Initiatives:

• Leveraging large-scale oxide manufacturing expertise for efficient BO production.
• Focus on high-purity grades for pharmaceutical and cosmetic butanediol synthesis.
• Robust safety and handling protocols for reactive epoxide distribution.

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3️⃣ 8. Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: 1,2-BO, 1,3-BDO, PTMG (PolyTetramethylene Glycol)

Mitsui Chemicals is a key Asian player, producing butylene oxide as part of its C4 value chain. Its production is closely linked to its flagship product, poly-tetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG), used in spandex fibers, where BO is an important intermediate.

Market Initiatives:

• Integrated C4 chemical complex in Osaka, Japan.
• Technology development for efficient BO-to-BDO conversion.
• Strong market position in Asia, supplying BO to growing polyurethane and elastomer industries.

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2️⃣ 9. SKC

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: High-Purity Butylene Oxide, Co-monomer for Polyols

SKC, a leading chemical company in South Korea, produces butylene oxide to support the domestic and regional demand for advanced polyols and functional fluids. Its operations are closely tied to South Korea’s robust electronics and automotive manufacturing sectors.

Market Initiatives:

• Investment in purification technologies to meet the stringent specs of electronic-grade chemicals.
• Collaboration with local polyol formulators to develop new foam formulations.
• Expanding export footprint in Southeast Asia’s growing manufacturing hubs.

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1️⃣ 10. Jiangsu Yalong Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: 1,2-Butylene Oxide, 1,2-Butanediol

Jiangsu Yalong is one of China’s prominent and specialized manufacturers of 1,2-butanediol and its precursor, 1,2-butylene oxide. The company has carved a significant niche by focusing on this specific part of the C4 derivatives chain, serving both domestic and international markets.

Market Initiatives:

• Specialization and scale in the BO/BDO production process.
• Cost-competitive production catering to high-volume applications in solvents and plastics.
• Active role in China’s expanding chemical intermediates export market.

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1,2-Butylene Oxide (BO) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of 1,2-Butylene Oxide is Diverse and Application-Led

The 1,2-butylene oxide market is characterized by steady, application-specific growth. Unlike commodity chemicals, its demand is tightly coupled with innovations in end-use sectors like polyurethanes, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. While traditional uses in polyols dominate volume, the future value lies in high-purity grades for specialty synthesis.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Polyurethane Innovation: Demand for customized foam properties (softness, durability) is driving the use of BO as a co-monomer in polyether polyols, especially in automotive and furniture.
• Cosmetic & Pharmaceutical Growth: Rising consumption of 1,2-butanediol (a BO derivative) as a humectant and solvent in premium formulations is creating a stable, high-value demand stream.
• Geographic Shift: Production and consumption are gradually shifting towards Asia-Pacific, particularly China, which is becoming a key manufacturing hub for both BO and its downstream products.
• Process Intensification: Continuous pressure on efficiency and sustainability is leading to investments in catalytic epoxidation technologies to improve yield and reduce waste.

Get Full Report Here:
1,2-Butylene Oxide (BO) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not just supplying a chemical intermediate—they are enabling the material science and formulation advances that define modern manufacturing across multiple industries.