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This section provides an overview for isoprene as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 isoprene manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked isoprene companies as of December, 2024: 1.Pon Pure Chemicals Group, 2.Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp., 3.LyondellBasell Industries.
Table of Contents
Isoprene is a hydrocarbon with two double bonds.
In nature, it is formed from mevalonic acid, an intermediate substance formed from sugar. Polyisoprene, a polymer of isoprene, is naturally obtained from the sap of the rubber tree in the tropics and is also called natural rubber.
Industrially, isoprene is produced as a byproduct of the thermal cracking of petroleum-derived naphtha and can be used as a raw material for polyisoprene rubber, a type of synthetic rubber used in automobile tires.
| Chemical Formula | C5H8 |
| English Name | Isoprene |
| Molecular Weight | 68.12 |
| Melting Point | -145.9 °C |
Isoprene is mainly used as a raw material for polyisoprene rubber and butyl rubber, which are synthetic rubbers. Approximately 70% of polyisoprene rubber is used in automobile and aircraft tires.
In addition, its high biocompatibility allows it to be used in the medical field. Specifically, it is used in rubber bags for ultrasound machines and components for blood circuits.
In addition to synthetic rubber, isoprene is used as a raw material for geraniol and linalool, as a raw material for fragrances, and as a raw material for agrochemical intermediates such as chrysanthemum acid.
Isoprene has a melting point of -145.95°C and a boiling point of 34.067°C. It is a colorless liquid that is highly volatile at room temperature. It has an odor similar to that of rubber or city gas. It is highly flammable and combustible, and there is a risk of explosion when present in atomized form in the atmosphere.
Isoprene is a type of diene with two double bonds. Its chemical formula is C5H8 and its molecular weight is 68.12. It is also called 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene.
Isoprene was first isolated by pyrolysis of natural rubber. Industrially, about 800,000 tons of isoprene are produced each year. Ninety-five percent of the isoprene produced is used as a monomer for the synthesis of cis-1,4-polyisoprene, an artificial natural rubber.
Natural rubber is an addition polymer composed of 100,000 to 1,000,000 isoprene molecules. The basic structure is almost exclusively cis-1,4-polyisoprene. However, natural rubber may contain a small amount of trans-1,4-polyisoprene, a stereoisomer of cis-1,4-polyisoprene. In addition, natural rubber contains trace amounts of fatty acids, proteins, and inorganic substances.
Natural organic compounds called isoprenoids and terpenoids have isoprene as their structural unit. As living substances, they are made by insects, plants, bacteria, and fungi, and are the names given to compounds with 10 carbons found in essential oils. The molecular formula of these hydrocarbons is (C5H8)n, expressed as a multiple of isoprene.
Examples of isoprenoids and terpenoids include limonene, which has two isoprene units, and farnesol, which has three isoprene units. Limonene and farnesol can be used as flavoring agents; vitamin A, which is composed of four isoprene units, is also a terpenoid.
The precursors required for the biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids also contain isoprene units. In biological systems, the functional isoprene units are dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate. Isopentenyl diphosphate is an isomer of dimethylallyl diphosphate.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Spectrum Chemical MFG Corp. was founded in 1971, is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and has facilities in Gardena, California. Spectrum is a fine chemical manufacturing company with an emphasis on USP, NF, FCC, BP, EP, JP, and ACS grade products, and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Spectrum primarily serves the analytical, biopharmaceutical, food & beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical chemicals industries. Spectrum has 4 product segments which are chemicals, equipment, supplies, and safety.
Braskem, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and established in 2002, is a manufacturer in the chemical and petrochemical industry, primarily producing biopolymer, thermoplastic resin, and polypropylene. The company's core activities include the production of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, along with essential petrochemicals like ethylene, propylene, butadiene, chlorine, benzene, and toluene. The company plays a crucial role in various production chains vital to economic growth. It specializes in delivering sustainable solutions that enhance the quality of life across diverse sectors, including housing, food, and transportation.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Junsei Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of chemical reagents and chemical products, including commissioned synthesis of chemical products. Some of the products it makes include Sodium chloride solution, concentrated glycerin, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and nitric acid. The chemical products have a wide range of applications and can be used in pathological examination, as food additives, for analysis, and in the pharmaceutical industry. All its plants, including its research institute, are ISO4001 and ISO9001 certified, while its Saitama and Ibaraki plants are equipped with buildings that comply with GMP.
Xingrui Industry CO., LTD. is a manufacturer of fine chemicals, intermediates and cosmetic raw materials headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China, and was established in 2012. The company’s products are availablle in categories such as pharmaceutical, catalyst and auxiliary, and additives. Its products include Azodicarbonamide, Boron tribromide, Chlorhexidine digluconate, BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE and Hydrogenated tallowamine. The products are used in numerous areas, including the pharmaceutical, dye, and cosmetics industries. The company’s services include the provision of custom synthesis technology which entails the process route development and optimization, process safety data test and assessment, analytical methods development, and validation and verification.
Merck, started in 1668 and based in Darmstadt, Germany, is a supplier of solutions and services for research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biotechnological drug therapies. The company serves the life science industry and has a broad portfolio of 300,000 products, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial microbiology, reagent, life science research, and water purification products. It is available in 66 countries, brings together six brands, and has several ISO certifications, including ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO 50001.
LyondellBasell, formally established in 2009, is a global manufacturer of raw chemicals, polymers, and fuels, with regional headquarters in the USA, the UK, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. The company's products include basic chemicals, plastic resins, and advanced chemical composites, which are used across various industries such as sports and leisure, infrastructure, packaging, agriculture, and automotive. As one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies in the world, LyondellBasell's custom solutions range from client-specific product design and production to full plant design and start-up services.
Alfa Aesar is based in Lancashire, United Kingdom. Alfa Aesar is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a manufacturer and supplier of chemicals, metals, and life science products for research and development. Alfa Aesar’s product lines include chemicals, life science, materials & metals, catalysts, and analytical & lab ware. Chemical offerings include inorganic compounds, organic compounds, organometallic, and solvents. Life sciences include biotechnology products, cellular & molecular biology, genomics, and immunology. Materials & metal include alloys, carbon, etchants, and more. Catalysts include ferrocenes, fuel cell products, and precious metals & catalysts. Alfa Aesar also offers custom manufacturing options.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pon Pure Chemicals Group |
29.5%
|
| 2 | Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. |
17.2%
|
| 3 | LyondellBasell Industries |
12.3%
|
| 4 | Xingrui Industry CO., LTD. |
9.8%
|
| 5 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
8.2%
|
| 6 | Braskem |
7.4%
|
| 7 | Junsei Chemical Co.,Ltd. |
5.7%
|
| 8 | Merck |
5.7%
|
| 9 | Alfa Aesar, Thermo Fisher Scientific. |
4.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the isoprene page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
2 | 28.6% |
|
Japan
|
2 | 28.6% |
|
China
|
1 | 14.3% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 14.3% |
India
|
1 | 14.3% |
