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World production of benzyl chloride totaled about 235 thousand metric tons in 2006 and was valued at approximately $300 million.
The following pie chart shows the major global producers of benzyl chloride:
The markets for benzyl chloride are mature in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. All three regions will grow at average annual rates of less than 2% each from 2006 to 2011. China and India are the fastest growing regions with respective average growth rates of 5% and 7% per year from 2006 to 2011.
Benzyl chloride consumption for the production of benzyl alcohol has increased in China, India and Western Europe because of greater use in solvent applications, as a precursor for benzyl esters, and increased exports to the United States, Japan and Other Asia. Despite the continual rise in feedstock costs, benzyl alcohol will be the market driver for benzyl chloride consumption in Western Europe while benzyl quaternary ammonium compounds (benzyl quats) will contribute the most to U.S. benzyl chloride consumption growth. Overall, consumption of benzyl chloride globally is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.6% during 2006–2011. |
