Top 10 Epichlorohydrin Manufacturers in the World 2025

What is epichlorohydrin, and what are its primary uses?

Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is a colorless, volatile liquid chemical with a slightly sweet odor, widely used as a building block in industrial chemistry. Its primary applications include:

• Epoxy Resins: ECH is a key raw material for producing epoxy resins, which are used in coatings, adhesives, and composites for industries like automotive (e.g., car body coatings), construction (e.g., flooring), and aerospace (e.g., lightweight panels). Approximately 75% of global ECH production goes to epoxy resins (source: Mordor Intelligence).

• Synthetic Glycerol: ECH is used to manufacture glycerol for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics (e.g., moisturizers), and food additives.

• Water Treatment Chemicals: ECH produces polyamine-based coagulants for treating wastewater, critical for municipal and industrial water purification.

• Paper and Textiles: It enhances the wet strength of paper products (e.g., tissue paper) and improves textile durability.

With its versatility, ECH is indispensable in modern manufacturing, but its production requires careful handling due to its reactive nature.

How do I choose a reliable epichlorohydrin supplier?

Selecting the right epichlorohydrin supplier is critical for ensuring product quality, timely delivery, and cost efficiency. Consider these factors:

• Production Capacity: Verify the supplier’s ability to meet your volume needs. For example, Solvay S.A. produces 200,000 tons annually, ideal for large-scale buyers, while smaller players like Grasim Industries (50,000 tons) suit niche markets.

• Sustainability Practices: Opt for manufacturers using eco-friendly methods, such as glycerol-based production, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 20% compared to propylene-based methods (e.g., Solvay’s Epicerol® technology).

• Quality Certifications: Look for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or REACH compliance to ensure product purity and regulatory adherence.

• Regional Availability: Choose suppliers with local offices or distributors to minimize shipping costs and delays. For instance, Aditya Birla Chemicals excels in India, while LOTTE Fine Chemical dominates Asia-Pacific.

• Technical Support: Evaluate after-sales services, such as product testing or supply chain consultation. Companies like Dow Chemical offer dedicated support for custom formulations.

• Pricing Transparency: Request detailed quotes and compare them against market rates, which range from $1,500–$2,500 per ton depending on purity and region.

Pro Tip: Always request a sample batch to test purity (typically 99.5% or higher for industrial-grade ECH) and compatibility with your processes.

What’s the difference between bio-based and traditional epichlorohydrin?

Bio-based and traditional epichlorohydrin differ in their raw materials, environmental impact, and production costs:

• Bio-Based Epichlorohydrin:

  • Raw Material: Derived from glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production.

  • Environmental Impact: Reduces carbon emissions significantly. For example, Solvay’s glycerol-based process cuts CO2 output by 1.3 tons per ton of ECH compared to traditional methods.

  • Advantages: Aligns with sustainability goals and complies with regulations like the EU’s Green Deal. It’s increasingly demanded by industries like electronics for eco-friendly supply chains.

  • Challenges: Glycerol price volatility (tied to biodiesel markets) can raise costs, and production scales are smaller than traditional methods.

  • Example: Hexion Inc. expanded its bio-based ECH capacity in the Netherlands by 25,000 tons in 2024.

• Traditional Epichlorohydrin:

  • Raw Material: Produced from propylene, a petrochemical feedstock.

  • Environmental Impact: Higher carbon footprint due to fossil fuel reliance, contributing to 2–3 tons of CO2 per ton of ECH.

  • Advantages: Lower production costs and well-established infrastructure, making it dominant in markets like China (e.g., Shandong Haili Chemical).

  • Challenges: Faces regulatory pressure in regions like Europe, where carbon taxes are increasing operational costs.

  • Example: Olin Corporation uses propylene-based ECH for cost-sensitive applications in the Americas.

Market Insight: Bio-based ECH is projected to grow at 8% annually through 2030, driven by demand for green chemicals, but traditional ECH still holds 60% of the global market share due to cost advantages.

Which countries are the leading producers of epichlorohydrin?

Global epichlorohydrin production is concentrated in a few key regions:

• China: The largest producer, accounting for 35% of global output. Companies like Shandong Haili Chemical and Jiangsu Yangnong leverage low-cost propylene and strong domestic demand from construction and electronics.

• United States: Contributes 20% of global supply, led by Olin Corporation and Dow Chemical. The US focuses on high-purity ECH for aerospace and automotive sectors.

• South Korea: A hub for innovation, with LOTTE Fine Chemical producing 150,000 tons annually, serving Asia-Pacific’s electronics market.

• India: Rapidly growing, with Aditya Birla Chemicals and Grasim Industries meeting domestic and export needs, particularly for textiles and water treatment.

• Europe: Belgium (Solvay) and the Netherlands (Hexion) lead with sustainable production, driven by strict environmental regulations.

Data Point: Asia-Pacific accounts for 50% of global ECH consumption, with China and India driving growth due to industrialization (source: Grand View Research).

How does epichlorohydrin production impact the environment, and what are manufacturers doing to mitigate it?

Epichlorohydrin production can have significant environmental effects, but manufacturers are adopting greener practices:

• Environmental Challenges:

  • Traditional Production: Propylene-based ECH generates 2–3 tons of CO2 per ton produced and uses energy-intensive processes. It also produces chlorinated byproducts, requiring careful waste management.

  • Water Usage: Production consumes significant water, especially in glycerol purification for bio-based ECH.

  • Health Risks: ECH is classified as a probable carcinogen, necessitating strict safety protocols during handling.

• Mitigation Efforts:

  • Glycerol-Based Production: Companies like Solvay and Hexion use glycerol to cut emissions by up to 20%. For example, Solvay’s Epicerol® process recycles 90% of its water.

  • Carbon Capture: Dow Chemical piloted carbon capture at its US plant in 2024, reducing emissions by 15,000 tons annually.

  • Energy Efficiency: LOTTE Fine Chemical upgraded its reactors to lower energy use by 10% per ton of ECH.

  • Regulatory Compliance: European manufacturers adhere to REACH, limiting hazardous emissions, while China’s stricter 2025 environmental laws are pushing local firms like Jiangsu Yangnong to adopt cleaner technologies.

  • Circular Economy: Some producers, like Aditya Birla, are exploring ways to repurpose ECH byproducts into secondary chemicals, reducing waste.

Future Outlook: By 2030, 30% of global ECH production is expected to shift to bio-based methods, driven by carbon neutrality goals and consumer demand for sustainable products.

What are the latest trends in the epichlorohydrin market?

The epichlorohydrin industry is evolving to meet new demands and regulations. Key trends include:

• Sustainability Push: Bio-based ECH is gaining traction, with companies like Hexion investing $30 million in green production in 2024.

• Electronics Boom: High-purity ECH for semiconductor coatings is in demand, especially in South Korea and Japan (e.g., Sumitomo Chemical’s specialty ECH).

• Regional Growth: India’s ECH market is growing at 7% annually, driven by textile and construction sectors, while China remains the largest consumer.

• Price Volatility: Glycerol-based ECH prices fluctuate with biodiesel markets, ranging from $1,800–$2,800 per ton in 2025.

• Innovation: Advances like low-emission reactors and AI-optimized supply chains are improving efficiency, with Dow Chemical reporting a 5% cost reduction in 2024.