Stratum Market Research
Request a sample

Energy & ClimateEuropean UnionUpdated 4 Nov 2026

Bio butanol Market 2026: trade data and key figures

The EU imported €67.4 million of bio butanol and related goods (CN 29051300) from outside the EU in 2025. That was 68% less than in 2020. South Africa was the largest outside supplier.

Edited by the Stratum Market Research editorial team. Updated 4 Nov 2026.

Headline figure

67.4EUR million

EU imports from outside the EU, 2025

Extra-EU imports of CN 29051300, EUR million20202025 Eurostat, 4 Nov 2026

-68 % change

Extra-EU imports of CN 29051300 were down 68% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€211.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values.

Eurostat

22.9 EUR million

EU exports of CN 29051300 to countries outside the EU were worth €22.9 million in 2025.

Eurostat

128.8 EUR million

Trade between EU member states in CN 29051300 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €128.8 million in 2025.

Eurostat
ChartExtra-EU imports of CN 29051300, EUR million
Extra-EU imports of CN 29051300, EUR million062.51251882502020: 211 EUR million21120202021: 149 EUR million20212022: 161 EUR million20222023: 90.6 EUR million20232024: 118 EUR million20242025: 67.4 EUR million67.42025

Source: Eurostat

Why this market is moving now

  • Extra-EU import value moved -68% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
  • Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
  • US employment in the core industry shifted +5% since 2020.

What this market covers

Butanol made by fermenting plant sugars, used as fuel additive, solvent and chemical feedstock. Buyers are fuel blenders, coatings and chemical firms.

Typical segments

  • Fuel grade butanol
  • Solvent grade butanol
  • Chemical intermediate
  • Coatings solvent

Who buys

  • Fuel blenders
  • Coatings makers
  • Chemical producers

Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU

CountryImport value
South Africa55.5 EUR million
United States from 1995 -> 2000)5.7 EUR million
Saudi Arabia4.4 EUR million
China1.1 EUR million
United Kingdom0.4 EUR million
Türkiye0.1 EUR million

Key figures

Each figure links to the page it came from.

FigureValueYearSource
The EU imported €67.4 million of products under CN code 29051300 (Butan-1-ol "n-butyl alcohol") from outside the EU in 2025.67.4 EUR million2025Eurostat
Extra-EU imports of CN 29051300 were down 68% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€211.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values.-68 % change2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 29051300 to countries outside the EU were worth €22.9 million in 2025.22.9 EUR million2025Eurostat
Trade between EU member states in CN 29051300 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €128.8 million in 2025.128.8 EUR million2025Eurostat
South Africa was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 29051300 to the EU in 2025, with €55.5 million, or 82% of extra-EU imports.55.5 EUR million2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 29051300 to the United States were €1.2 million in 2025.1.2 EUR million2025Eurostat
The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 29051300 was €0.95 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight.0.95 EUR per kg2025Eurostat
Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 29051300 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €19.9 million.19.9 EUR million2025Eurostat
The EU had 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals) in 2023.1,920 enterprises2023Eurostat
NACE class C2014 employed 210,000 people across the EU in 2023.210,000 persons employed2023Eurostat
The US had 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing) in 2025.1,259 establishments2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
NAICS 325199 employed an average of 41,745 people in US private industry in 2025.41,745 jobs2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
US employment in NAICS 325199 changed by +5% between 2020 (39,721 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures.+5 % change2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average annual pay in US NAICS 325199 was $120,877 in 2025.120,877 USD per year2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What the full report covers

Illustration of a report page with its five main parts numbered12345
  1. 1

    Executive summary

    The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.

  2. 2

    Market size and outlook

    History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.

  3. 3

    Segments and regions

    Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.

  4. 4

    Company profiles

    The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.

  5. 5

    Data and method

    Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.

  1. 01Executive summary
    The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it
  2. 02Market definition and scope
    What is in and out of the European Union market
  3. 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
    Historical series and growth rates
  4. 04Outlook to 2031
    Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions
  5. 05Rules, policy and deadlines
    Regulation and programmes that change demand
  6. 06Drivers and barriers
    What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment
  7. 07Prices, costs and margins
    Unit economics where public data allows
  8. 08Competitive landscape
    8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves
  9. 09Opportunities and risks
    For new entrants, suppliers and investors
  10. 10Method and sources
    Every assumption and source, listed

Included with the full report

  • PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
  • Excel data pack
  • Ready-to-use charts
  • Method note and assumptions
  • Written to order in 5 working days

Frequently asked questions

How big is the EU bio butanol market?

There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €67.4 million of goods under CN 29051300 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €22.9 million.

Where does the EU import bio butanol from?

South Africa was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), Saudi Arabia, China.

What is the average import price of bio butanol in the EU?

Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.95 per kilogram for CN 29051300 in 2025.

Which EU countries export the most bio butanol?

Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Sweden.

How many US companies are in the bio butanol industry?

BLS counts 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.

How many EU companies are in the bio butanol industry?

Eurostat counts 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals).

Sources and method

The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.

  1. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 67436753
  2. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 211165291; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 67436753
  3. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 22895070
  4. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 128814197
  5. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, partner ZA, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 55534838
  6. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1220846
  7. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29051300, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 67436753, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 713210
  8. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter DE, product 29051300, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 19920033
  9. Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2014, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1920
  10. Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2014, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 210000
  11. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_estabs 1259
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_emplvl 41745
  13. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39721; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41745
  14. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, avg_annual_pay 120877

Free sample

Get a free sample of this report

We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.

  • Full table of contents
  • Two sample chapters
  • Method note and data outline
A market, a region or the decision you are making helps us pick the right chapters.

We use your details only to reply. See our privacy policy.

Full report $3,450Choose an edition