Chemical and physical properties of ethyl acetate:

• Molecular Formula: C4H8O2 / CH3-COO-CH2-CH3
• Synonyms: Acetic ether, Spirit of wine, Methylcarbinol, Reagent alcohol, Methylated spirit
• Cas Number: 141-78-6
• Molecular Mass: 88.1 g·mol−1
• Exact Mass: 74.036779 g/mol
• Flashpoint: 4°C
• Boiling Point: 77.1°C
• Melting Point: -83.6°C
• Vapor Pressure: 112mmHg at 25°CF
• Water Solubility: 8.3 g/100 mL at 20 °C
• Density: 0.898 g cm−3

The Asia Pacific is the leading regional market for ethyl acetate, accounting for nearly 82% of the market share in terms of supply. The Asia Pacific region is followed by North America and the European Union as the other major supply markets.

The Asia Pacific, having an 80% of the capacity of ethyl acetate, has a surplus of ethyl-acetate output, which it exports to regions like North America and Europe. The Asia Pacific is witnessing a rising demand for paints and coatings, along with adhesives, due to the increasing construction activities and the growing automobile sector in China and India, among others. China is the largest exporter in the Asia Pacific region as it has the largest ethyl acetate capacity. The Asia Pacific region exports a significant volume of the product to Europe and North America as they rely on imports from the Asia Pacific to meet their regional demand. This reliance on the Asian countries is, however, likely to reduce in the coming years with the expansion of capacity in North America and Europe.

The largest importing country within Europe is Belgium, which imports considerable volumes of ethyl acetate from Mexico and the United Kingdom, supported by free trade policies. The capacity expansion by INEOS in Europe, one of the key players in the ethyl acetate market, is expected to reduce the quantity of imports in the region. South Africa, Mexico, and India are among the major sourcing regions for ethyl acetate. The majority of consumers in Europe prefer to import from South Africa and Mexico owing to the readily available ethanol and synthetic ethanol in the regions.

Ethyl acetate is used primarily as:

• a coatings solvent for paints, lacquers, and varnishes
• an extraction solventfor various processes, including decaffeination of coffee and tea
• a process solvent in the pharmaceutical industry
• a carrier solvent forprinting inks, adhesives, and nail polish

It is also used in the manufacture of artificial leather and perfumes, and in certain household products including airplane glue, and paint and nail polish removers.

Ethyl acetate finds particular use as a flavor enhancer in foods and pharmaceuticals because of its fruity taste when diluted. It is included on the US Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized As Safe list for use as a synthetic flavoring agent. Ethyl acetate is also approved for use as an indirect food additive in certain packaging materials.

• Plastic drums
• New steel drums