Chemicals Industry Today

GBL and NMP Market Positioned for Significant Growth to USD 5.5 Billion by 2035 as Expanding Chemical, Battery, and Electronics Applications Fuel a Robust 6.9% CAGR

The Global GBL and NMP Market is witnessing several important trends driven by the increasing demand for NMP in diverse applications such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and coatings.
Published 23 November 2025

The global market for GBL and NMP, valued at approximately USD 2.63 billion in 2024, is experiencing robust growth driven primarily by surging demand in the electronics and pharmaceuticals sectors, particularly for use in lithium-ion batteries. The market is projected to reach an estimated USD 3.69 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94% over the forecast period.

Market Overview and Dynamics

GBL and NMP are highly valued for their strong solvency, low volatility, and thermal stability, making them indispensable in various industrial applications.

  • N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP): A polar aprotic solvent widely used for its high solvency and chemical stability. In 2023, the battery manufacturing sector alone consumed over 180,000 metric tons for electrode coating processes in electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL): Primarily serves as a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of NMP, pyrrolidones, and other specialty chemicals. It is a key solvent in agrochemical formulations, polymer processing, and ink manufacturing, with approximately 60,000 metric tons used in pharmaceutical synthesis in 2023.

The market is moderately consolidated, with key players including BASF, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Ashland. Asia-Pacific currently dominates the market, accounting for over 60% of global production and consumption, driven by extensive battery and semiconductor manufacturing in China, South Korea, and Japan.

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Key Market Drivers

  • Rapid Expansion of the Battery Sector: The boom in electric vehicle (EV) production and renewable energy storage has created immense demand for battery-grade NMP (≥99.9% purity) as a critical electrode solvent in lithium-ion batteries.
  • Growth in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Both GBL and NMP are vital precursors and solvents in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pyrrolidones, and tranquilizers. The industry's focus on high-purity ingredients sustains demand for high-grade GBL and NMP.
  • Demand in Electronics and Petrochemicals: NMP is extensively used in semiconductor fabs for photoresist stripping and wafer cleaning, while in the oil & gas industry, NMP improves oil efficiency and solvent extraction in re-refining lubricating oil.
  • Emerging Bio-based Applications: The push for sustainable practices is opening new opportunities for GBL and NMP derivatives in eco-friendly solvents and bio-based polymers, positioning them favorably in the green chemistry movement.

Challenges and Regulatory Landscape

The market faces significant hurdles, primarily centered on health and environmental concerns:

  • Regulatory Restrictions: Both GBL and NMP are classified as substances requiring restricted use under the European Union's REACH regulations and face scrutiny from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to potential health risks, including reproductive toxicity. Stricter limits on occupational exposure in countries like Germany and France have forced companies to invest in expensive ventilation and protective systems.
  • Health and Environmental Concerns: NMP poses health threats through skin contact and inhalation of vapors, and its environmental persistence in water is a concern.
  • Fluctuating Raw Material Prices: Volatility in the prices of key feedstocks like maleic anhydride and acetylene impacts production costs and profitability for manufacturers.

Key Companies in the GBL and NMP Market Include:

  • Solvay
  • Koei Chemical
  • SABIC
  • Wanhua Chemical
  • Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
  • BASF
  • Eastman Chemical
  • Huntsman Corporation
  • LG Chem
  • Honeywell
  • ShinEtsu Chemical
  • Mitsui Chemicals

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Sustainable Alternatives and Future Trends

The regulatory pressure is spurring innovation in safer, greener alternatives:

  • Alternative Solvents: Researchers are actively investigating eco-friendly solvents such as Gamma-valerolactone (GVL), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), triethyl phosphate (TEP), and 1-butylpyrrolidin-2-one as potential replacements for NMP in lithium-ion battery and cleaning applications.
  • Solvent Recovery and Recycling: A major trend is the investment in advanced solvent recovery facilities, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe, which achieve high recycling efficiencies (up to 90%) to reduce operational waste and comply with VOC regulations.
  • High-Purity Focus: Manufacturers are developing ultra-high purity grades of NMP and GBL (min 99.9%) to meet the stringent quality standards of the electronics and battery industries.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Key manufacturers like LyondellBasell and BASF are signing long-term supply contracts with major EV battery makers to ensure stable supply chains amidst rising global demand.

The GBL and NMP market is in a state of transition, balancing strong industrial demand with the imperative for sustainable and safe chemical practices.

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