Less solvent is used in high-solids formulations, but for that very reason more powerful oxygenates such as MIBK are favored. MIBK's use in rubber chemicals production has shown some increase. Environmental considerations aside, most of MIBK's market is ultimately tied to sectors with GDP-type growth. At the same time, non-solvent systems, such as 100 percent solids and powder coatings, are still a very small part of the overall coatings market. Also, in some uses satisfactory alternative solvents are not always available.
MIBK demand is likely to be flat or slightly positive for the rest of the decade.
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