Global butadiene capacity is poised to see considerable growth over the next four years, potentially increasing from 20.47 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2023 to 26.95mtpa in 2028, registering a total growth of 31.6%.

Globally, 42 planned and announced butadiene projects are expected to come online by 2028, predominantly in Asia followed by the Middle East.

Asia is expected to add a capacity of 4.71mtpa from 25 new-build, planned, and announced projects. As for expansions, the region is expected to add a capacity of 0.10mtpa from three planned projects.

Within Asia, the majority of butadiene capacity additions are from upcoming projects in China and India, with a total capacity of 2.67mtpa and 1.18mtpa, respectively.

In China, the highest capacity addition is from a planned project, 'CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Company Huizhou Butadiene Plant 3', which is expected to commence operations in 2026 with a capacity of 0.31mtpa.

Within India, the major capacity addition is from 'Reliance Industries Jamnagar Butadiene Plant', with a capacity of 0.70mtpa, which is also expected to come online in 2026.

In the Middle East, the entire capacity addition is from two planned projects in Iran.

'Aria Oil and Gas Assaluyeh Butadiene Plant' accounts for the majority of the capacity additions in the country. It is projected to come online in 2028 with a capacity of 0.99mtpa.

The other plant, 'Sepehr Makran Chabahar Butadiene Plant', is expected to add a capacity of 0.12mtpa and is likely to commence operations this year.

Further details of butadiene capacity and capex analysis can be found in leading data and analytics company GlobalData’s new report: Butadiene Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2028.