2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (2-EHA, CAS No. 149-57-5) is one of the most important branched-chain carboxylic acids in the specialty chemical industry, used to produce metal carboxylates, coating driers, synthetic lubricant esters, PVC stabilizers, hydroprocessing catalyst precursors, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Global supply is concentrated in a small group of producers: a handful of integrated Western and Japanese chemical majors, plus a fast-growing Chinese production base that now serves much of the world’s industrial-grade demand. Buyers comparing suppliers today look beyond price to consistent purity, low color (HAZ), reliable long-term supply, and export support.
This article ranks the top 10 2-EHA manufacturers worldwide. Global majors come first as quality and specification reference points; Chinese producers follow as the fastest-growing supply base for industrial-grade material.
Top 10 2-EHA Manufacturers at a Glance
| # | Manufacturer | Region | Approximate Capacity* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BASF (incl. BASF PETRONAS Chemicals) | Germany / Malaysia | ~60,000 MT/year |
| 2 | OQ Chemicals | Germany / USA | Not disclosed |
| 3 | Eastman | United States | ~50,000 MT/year |
| 4 | KH Neochem | Japan | Not disclosed |
| 5 | Perstorp | Sweden | Not disclosed |
| 6 | Bastone Petrochem | China | 50,000 MT/year |
| 7 | Panjin Hongding Chemical | China | ~30,000 MT/year |
| 8 | Shenyang Zhangming Chemical | China | ~20,000 MT/year |
| 9 | Jiangxi Jintai Chemical | China | ~20,000 MT/year |
| 10 | Hengguang New Materials (Jiangsu) | China | Not disclosed |
*Capacities are summarized from published industry literature and public company information. Current figures may change following plant expansions or restructuring.
1. BASF โ Largest Integrated Network
BASF produces 2-EHA at its integrated sites in Germany and, through the BASF PETRONAS Chemicals joint venture, in Kuantan, Malaysia. The joint venture doubled its 2-EHA capacity from 30,000 to roughly 60,000 metric tons per year, with a second production line inaugurated in October 2024 to serve surging Asian demand.
For coatings and lubricant-ester buyers, BASF material is the most common specification baseline against which other suppliers are qualified.
2. OQ Chemicals โ European Oxo Specialist
OQ Chemicals (formerly Oxea) manufactures 2-EHA within its oxo-intermediates chain at Oberhausen, Germany, alongside a broad carboxylic acid portfolio. The company continues to invest in European carboxylic acid capacity, reinforcing regional supply-chain security for coating driers and specialty ester producers.
3. Eastman โ North American Anchor
Eastman has produced 2-EHA in the United States for decades, with capacity reported around 50,000 metric tons per year in industry literature. Eastman supplies coatings, synthetic lubricants, and catalyst-precursor customers across the Americas and is the natural primary source for North American buyers.
4. KH Neochem โ Japanese High-Purity Producer
KH Neochem of Japan is consistently listed among the leading global 2-EHA players in market research. Its material is positioned at the high-purity end of the market, serving demanding applications such as pharmaceutical intermediates and electronics-adjacent chemistry where low impurity levels command a premium.
5. Perstorp โ European Specialty Chemistry
Sweden’s Perstorp (now part of PETRONAS Chemicals Group) produces 2-EHA within its specialty carboxylic acid portfolio and announced capacity expansion from 2022 onward to address growing global demand. Perstorp is a common second source for European coating and PVC-stabilizer formulators.
6. Bastone Petrochem โ China’s Leading Export Channel
With an annual production capacity of 50,000 metric tons, Bastone Petrochem is one of China’s largest producers of 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (CAS No. 149-57-5) โ a scale comparable to the Western majors.
The company supplies customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America, serving metal carboxylates, coating additives, lubricant esters, refinery catalyst precursors, PVC stabilizers, and specialty chemicals. Key advantages include:
- High-purity, low-color product suitable for demanding applications
- Stable large-scale production and consistent quality management
- Dependable international logistics and professional export services
- Technical support for downstream manufacturing
For international buyers qualifying a Chinese primary source, Bastone combines the scale of a major with the pricing of the Chinese production base.
7. Panjin Hongding Chemical โ Domestic Volume Supplier
Panjin Hongding Chemical operates a production capacity of approximately 30,000 metric tons per year, supplying industrial-grade 2-EHA for coatings, lubricants, catalysts, and related chemical applications. Its products are widely used by domestic manufacturers and selected overseas customers.
8. Shenyang Zhangming Chemical โ Longest-Running Domestic Producer
Shenyang Zhangming Chemical is one of China’s earliest and best-known 2-EHA producers, with capacity reported around 20,000 metric tons per year. Beyond the acid itself, the company also produces downstream coating driers, which makes it a familiar name among domestic paint and coating formulators.
9. Jiangxi Jintai Chemical โ Established Regional Producer
Jiangxi Jintai Chemical is regularly cited among China’s principal 2-EHA producers, with capacity reported around 20,000 metric tons per year. It primarily serves domestic downstream converters in coatings and stabilizer applications.
10. Hengguang New Materials โ Growing Jiangsu Producer
Hengguang New Materials (Jiangsu) rounds out the list as a growing producer offering 2-EHA within a broader fine-chemicals portfolio. Like several newer Chinese entrants, it reflects the ongoing investment in domestic capacity as China consolidates its position as a key global supply source.
How to Choose a 2-EHA Supplier
Match the supplier to the application’s purity requirement and your logistics reality:
- Specification baseline โ qualify against a Western or Japanese major (BASF, Eastman, KH Neochem) if your formulation was originally developed on their material.
- Cost-competitive volume โ Chinese producers now supply product comparable to international quality standards; check HAZ color, purity, and moisture on the COA, and run a trial lot before committing annual volume.
- Supply security โ favor producers with large single-site capacity and export experience; a 50,000 MT/year producer absorbs demand swings that a 10,000 MT/year plant cannot.
As downstream industries continue to upgrade โ environmentally friendly synthetic lubricants, high-performance coating systems, expanding hydroprocessing catalyst production โ manufacturers with stable capacity and consistent quality will be best positioned to meet future demand.