ethyl acetate

Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in a variety of coating formulations including epoxies, urethanes, cellulosics, acrylics and vinyls. Over the past twenty years, ethyl acetate coatings have been losing share to waterborne and high-solids coatings, powder and two-component coatings systems, due to environmental constraints on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. This conversion has apparently run its course, and that market which still remains should begin growing again, but at less than GDP growth. While demand has fallen during the past 5 years, averaging a decline of 5 percent per year, production has held relatively steady at 270 million pounds, plus or minus 10 million pounds. During this time ethyl acetate exports were increasing at a rate even higher than the domestic demand decline, 6.5 percent. The market, however, was balanced by a decline in imported material, amounting to -6.8 percent annually. With signs of the economy turning around ethyl acetate demand is already up considerably in 2003. Total demand for the year is projected to be 175 million pounds – a considerable turn around from the past five years. Consistent with this, exported product is down considerably over last year (down 20 percent, annualized), while is imported product is up 50 percent over 2002. For the forecast period through 2006, demand is estimated to be 3.4 percent per year; with most of the growth occurring this year, then 2.0 percent per year thereafter.