India Pentane Market is Expected to Reach $139.8 Million by 2027

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, “India Pentane Market by Isomer, Type, Grade, and Region: Country Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022–2027”

The India pentane market forecast was valued at $79.8 million in 2017 and is projected to reach $139.8 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2027.

Pentanes are five carbon atoms aliphatic organic compound and is a natural constituent of the paraffin crude oil fraction and natural gas. It is a colorless and flammable chemical compound that is used majorly as blowing agent, electronic chemical, chemical solvent, catalytical chemical reactions, polyethylene production, and others.

Non-polar property of cyclo pentane makes it the most widely used solvent for production of cyclic fatty acids and oil products. Unique structure and low boiling point has escalated the use of cyclo pentane for producing polyurethane insulation boards. Cyclo pentane has gained importance across polyurethane insulation boards as cyclo pentane tend to form uniform honeycomb structure across the insulation board. In addition, physical property of cyclo pentane tends to increase the insulation characteristics of polyurethane insulation boards, which drives the demand for pentane. Fish, vegetables, and other perishable goods require proper refrigeration system throughout the supply chain.

Generally, the commercial cold food storage facilities and transportation vehicles require high energy consumption during logistical services and storage in order to avoid degradation of the food products. Insulation materials used across the cold food chain industry has been growing. Cyclo pentane is a valuable product that is used majorly across the production of cold food chain insulation material. For instance, lettuce (type of vegetable) require large amount of cooling units during transportation and storage. Lettuce manufacturers tend to store the harvest vegetable inside air condition hall. The walls of these storage facilities are generally equipped with insulated panels. Majorly, cyclo pentane is used during manufacturing of insulated panels that are used across cold food storage units and transportation vehicles, which drives the demand in the pentane market.

The walls of these storage facilities are generally equipped with insulated panels. Majorly, cyclo pentane is used during manufacturing of insulated panels that are used across cold food storage units and transportation vehicles, which drives the demand in the pentane market.

Lubricants are vital industrial solvents that are used for smooth operation of industrial equipment. The lubricant performance mainly depends upon formulation chemistries and solvents used for lubricant production. Consistency and uniformity characteristics of high purity pentane (99% purity) make it viable for lubricant formulation. In addition, high purity pentane is a premium hydrocarbon solvent across industrial and laboratory process and it is a commonly used polystyrene & polyethylene foam blowing agent. Other applications of pentane with 95% purity and more is used as a solvent during isomerization, synthesis, and other chemical reactions. Octane number determines the capability of fuel to resist knocking in the IC engines.

99% pure pentane can be isomerized into n-pentane and iso pentane using metal catalyst and are used to improve octane number of fuels. Highly pure lubricants are used widely across liquid chromatography and other laboratory analytical separation processes, which drive the demand in the pentane market. Laboratory separation process requires use of highly pure solvents with low trace of impurities and particulates. Highly pure pentanes are formulated using an advanced process that has low trace metal, making them viable to be used as laboratory solvents. All these factors are anticipated to off lucrative growth opportunities.   

The India pentane market is segmented on the basis of isomer, type, grade, and region. By isomer, the market is segregated into n-pentane, iso pentane, and cyclo pentane. The n-pentane isomer dominated the India pentane market in terms of revenue in 2017, with over half of the total share. There is growing demand for n-pentane as solvent in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic globally and includes controlled production process. Polyethylene plastic is manufactured through ethylene polymerization reaction. This reaction is generally carried out under high operating temperature and the fine hot plastic beads must be cooled to form solid plastic beads and to avoid sticking of beads to the equipment or reactor surface.

Liquid n-pentane and iso pentane or mixture of both is injected into gas stream during polyethylene production as it tends to evaporate and help condensing the reaction. The evaporated n-pentane can be re-condensed to form liquid and can be re-used during plastic production. All these factors have escalated the demand of the market. Thermal property of insulation foam depends upon structure of honeycomb structure. N-pentane has gained popularity as blowing agent and is used during production of plastic insulation foam products.

By type, the India pentane market is studied across 95% purity & more and pentane blends (80/20, 60/40, 50/50). Pentane blend type dominated the global market in terms of revenue in 2017, with 59.2% of the total share. Pentane blend is a mixture of n-pentane and iso pentane with certain ratio and this ratio is denoted by numbers such as 80/20, 60/40, and 50/50. Evaporation rate and low impurity level properties make 80/20 pentane blend widely used during polymer processing, cosmetic & personal care products, and aerosols.

In addition, it can also be used as an expansion agent for rigid polyurethane foams expansion and producing high quality polymer products. The quality and performance of insulation foam are determined by several parameters. Pentane 80/20 blend is gaining importance as blowing agent during production of polyurethane foam. The application of polyurethane foam includes insulation panels, construction materials, and other products. All these factors have escalated the demand for pentane blend products.

By grade, the market is segregated into expandable polystyrene (EPS) Grade, polyurethane (PU) Grade, Polymer Grade, Pharma & Lab Grade, Others. The PU grade dominated the India pentane market in terms of revenue in 2017, with over half of the total share. Pentane used for formulation of polyurethane (PU) foam are referred as PU grade pentanes. Pentane blend blowing agent tends to increase the insulation capability of PU foams. All pentane isomers can be used as blowing agent for PU foam production. HCFC141b is another blowing agent used widely during formulation of rigid PU foam. However, due to strict key regulations over use of HCFC blowing agent owing to its adverse environmental impact has demanded the use of alternative blowing agents. Hence, the use of HCFC based blowing agent is slowly diminishing across rigid foam insulation production. Pentane are considered as the best alternative over HCFC owing to low cost and high thermal conductivity. For instance, the thermal conductivity of pentane-based blowing agents is 5- 10% higher as compared to HCFC blowing agents.

By region, the India pentane market is studied West India, East India, South India, and North India. North India region dominated the global market in terms of revenue in 2017, with 32% of the total share.

Key players operating in the India pentane market include, RX Chemicals, Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Usha Refining, Shell, Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd., Datta Hydrochem Pvt. Ltd., GAIL (India) Limited, Central Drug House, Oberoi Refining Industry Pvt. Ltd., Ralington Pharma, Alpha Chemika, and Gayatri Industries.

Key Findings Of The Study

• The n-pentane isomer is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2027.
• Pentane blend type is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
• The PU grade segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue.
• West India is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.