2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (also known as Butylated Hydroxytoluene, BHT, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, DBPC, CAS: 128-37-0) is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄O and a molecular weight of 220.35 g/mol. It appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder or waxy solid with a melting point of 69-71°C and a boiling point of 265°C. The compound is freely soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ether, and fatty oils but is practically insoluble in water and dilute alkali hydroxide solutions. As a lipophilic (fat-soluble) phenol, BHT is primarily used as an antioxidant food additive (E number E321) as well as an antioxidant additive in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming fluid.
BHT functions as a chain-breaking antioxidant by donating hydrogen atoms to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), terminating free radical chain reactions that cause oxidative deterioration. It inhibits or retards the oxidation process of organic compounds. Unlike some close analogs, BHT exhibits a unique combination of high thermal stability and a well-defined, favorable toxicological profile, making it a strategic choice for high-temperature processes and safety-conscious formulations. Market demand is closely linked to the global rubber and plastics, food processing, personal care, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. The global Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) market was valued at approximately USD 200 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 220 million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.0% during the forecast period. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of BHT, focusing on core application scenarios, competitive landscape, regional differences, regulatory trends, and future outlook, providing strategic references for industry participants.
Core Application Fields and Demand
Market demand for BHT is concentrated in four major sectors: rubber and plastics (≈45% of global consumption), food and beverage preservation (≈35%), cosmetics and personal care (≈10%), and pharmaceuticals, animal feed & industrial applications (≈10%).
In the rubber and plastics sector, BHT serves as a highly effective antioxidant and stabilizer against thermal and oxidative degradation. It is extensively used in synthetic rubber (styrene-butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, nitrile), polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene), adhesives, epoxies, paints, and printing inks. BHT prevents the oxidation of organic compounds in lubricants, industrial oils, fuels, elastomers, polymers, and coatings. The rubber and plastics industry accounts for approximately 45% of total BHT applications, with particular importance in synthetic rubber production and plastic packaging materials. The compound’s effectiveness in preventing oxidative degradation during manufacturing processes and extending product lifespan makes it indispensable for manufacturers seeking to improve material durability.
In the food and beverage preservation sector, BHT is one of the most established synthetic antioxidants in the global food industry. It is widely used to preserve edible fats and oils, baked goods, snack foods, cereals, chewing gum, dehydrated potato products, fried foods, and extruded cereals by preventing oxidative rancidity and extending shelf life. Under Chinese regulations, BHT is permitted in edible oils and fats, fried foods, biscuits, instant noodles, quick-cooking rice, canned nuts, dried fish products, and cured meat products at a maximum usage level of 0.2 g/kg. BHT also serves as a flavor enhancer and flavoring agent or adjuvant. Under FDA regulations, BHT is permitted as a direct food additive and is listed in 21 CFR 172.110, 172.115, 172.185, and 172.615, as well as in food contact substance regulations. Food-grade BHT represents the largest product segment at approximately 55% market share, reflecting its critical role in food preservation. The compound’s exceptional thermal stability (retaining ~70-75% activity at 175°C vs. only ~30% for BHA at 150°C) directly extends product shelf life in high-temperature processing applications.
In the cosmetics and personal care sector, BHT is used as an antioxidant and preservative in a wide range of products, including creams, lotions, lipsticks, makeup, hair care formulations, and other oil-based cosmetic products. It prevents oxidative degradation of oils and fats in cosmetic formulations, maintaining product stability, color, and texture over extended shelf lives. In the European Union, BHT is permitted in cosmetics with specific concentration limits: max 0.001% in mouthwash, 0.1% in toothpaste, and 0.8% in all other leave-on and rinse-off products. The growing global personal care market continues to sustain demand for high-purity BHT.
In the pharmaceutical and animal feed sector, BHT serves as an antioxidant and preservative in various drug formulations, including pharmaceutical gels, creams, liquids, gelatin capsules, and tablets. It is used to stabilize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are sensitive to oxidation. The compound is also added to pharmaceutical formulations as a preservative. In animal feed, BHT is used to preserve fat-containing feed ingredients and maintain nutritional quality.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for BHT follows a pattern of specialized antioxidant manufacturers, with production concentrated in China, Europe, and North America. China is the world’s largest BHT market with approximately 60% of global consumption. The compound is generally supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder with purity ranging from 98% to ≥99% (verified by GC analysis), with food-grade and industrial-grade variants available.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT, CAS 128-37-0). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity (≥98-99%) with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial standards. It is available in food grade (FCC compliant, FDA GRAS), cosmetic grade, pharmaceutical grade, and industrial grade (for polymer and feed applications). XinChem offers flexible packaging options ranging from research quantities to bulk industrial packaging, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) and full characterization data ensuring complete traceability and regulatory compliance.
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for BHT shows regional differentiation: “Asia-Pacific dominates production and consumption, North America and Europe are mature high-value markets, and Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth markets”.
Asia-Pacific, particularly China, is the world’s largest and fastest-growing market for BHT, accounting for approximately 60% of global consumption. Chinese manufacturers, including XinChem, offer competitive pricing at scales ranging from research quantities to industrial batches, serving both domestic demand for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical intermediates and exports to global markets. The region’s expanding chemical and food processing sectors continue to drive strong demand for high-purity antioxidants.
North America (United States and Canada) and Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands) together account for the largest share of high-purity pharmaceutical and food-grade consumption (≥99%), driven by stringent regulatory standards and mature food processing and pharmaceutical industries. BHT is permitted under FDA regulations (21 CFR §172.115, §172.110) and authorized as a food additive under the designation E321 in the European Union. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with FDA, EFSA, REACH, and TSCA regulations, and comprehensive impurity documentation. The EFSA has conducted a comprehensive reevaluation of BHT’s safety profile, which may lead to more stringent regulations across EU member states.
Japan and South Korea demand ultra-high-purity grades for advanced food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
BHT (CAS 128-37-0) is subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and feed applications.
In the United States, BHT is permitted as a direct food additive under 21 CFR §172.110, §172.115, §172.185, and §172.615, as well as in food contact substances under multiple CFR sections. It is listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) database as an antioxidant, flavor enhancer, and flavoring agent or adjuvant. BHT is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended uses and is included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database.
In the European Union, BHT is authorized as a food additive under the designation E321. The EFSA has reviewed BHT and set acceptable daily intake levels. In cosmetics, BHT is permitted with specific concentration limits: max 0.001% in mouthwash, 0.1% in toothpaste, and 0.8% in all other leave-on and rinse-off products. The compound is subject to REACH regulations; importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). BHT has been flagged as a potential endocrine disruptor and is under review.
In China, BHT is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) and is permitted as a food additive under GB standards. Manufacturers must obtain safety production licenses and comply with national quality and safety regulations. The maximum usage level in food applications is set at 0.2 g/kg.
Environmentally, BHT is a lipophilic compound that is practically insoluble in water. It is biodegradable under aerobic conditions but requires responsible handling and disposal in accordance with environmental regulations.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for BHT is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in the global rubber and plastics industry (3-4% annual increase), driving demand for antioxidant stabilizers; (2) steady demand for processed and packaged foods, particularly in emerging economies where refrigeration infrastructure remains underdeveloped; (3) expanding applications in cosmetics and personal care; and (4) increasing adoption in pharmaceutical formulations and animal feed preservation. The global BHT market is projected to grow from USD 200 million in 2025 to USD 220 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 1.0%. The food-grade segment, representing approximately 55% of the market, will continue to dominate. China is expected to maintain its dominant position with approximately 60% of global consumption.
Challenges include: increasing regulatory scrutiny on synthetic food additives, with several national food safety authorities imposing stricter usage limits or recommending reductions in acceptable daily intake levels; competition from natural antioxidants (such as tocopherols, rosemary extract, and ascorbic acid) driven by clean-label trends; and potential substitution by alternative synthetic antioxidants (BHA, TBHQ). Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥99%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with FDA, EFSA, REACH, and TSCA requirements, and building long-term supply partnerships with food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic formulators, and polymer producers.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world-leading supplier of antioxidants, food additives, pharmaceutical excipients, and specialty chemicals, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and global logistics, we provide high-quality 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT, CAS 128-37-0) to global customers. Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent specifications for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial grades. Fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR §172.110, §172.115, EFSA E321, and international quality standards, it is an ideal high-performance antioxidant for rubber and plastics, edible oils and fats, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceutical formulations, animal feed, and polymer stabilization.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our BHT achieves purity levels of ≥98-99% (verified by GC analysis), supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder or waxy solid, molecular weight 220.35 g/mol, melting point 69-71°C, boiling point 265°C.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals, and related phenolic impurities ensures high performance for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Multiple Grades Available: We offer food grade (FCC compliant, FDA GRAS), cosmetic grade, pharmaceutical grade, and industrial grade (for polymer and feed applications).
Batch-to-Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (GC, HPLC, melting point, loss on drying) guarantees consistent quality and reproducible performance across all production lots.
2. Product Advantages
Versatile High-Performance Antioxidant: Directly used in rubber and plastics (synthetic rubber, polyolefins, adhesives, epoxies, paints), food preservation (edible oils, fats, baked goods, snacks, fried foods, cereals), cosmetics and personal care (creams, lotions, lipsticks, hair care), pharmaceuticals (API stabilization, dosage forms), and animal feed preservation.
Chain-Breaking Antioxidant Mechanism: Donates hydrogen atoms to neutralize free radicals and terminate oxidative chain reactions.
Superior Thermal Stability: Retains ~70-75% activity at 175°C, significantly outperforming BHA in high-temperature processing applications.
Proven Regulatory Acceptance: FDA GRAS (21 CFR §172.110, §172.115), EFSA E321 authorized, broad pharmacopoeial acceptance.
Flexible Packaging: 1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg fiber drums (R&D/industrial); full custom packaging available.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi-ton range, with dedicated temperature-controlled warehousing (cool, dry, light-protected, sealed containers) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Rubber & Plastics: Synthetic rubber (styrene-butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, nitrile), polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene), adhesives, epoxies, paints, printing inks, lubricants, industrial oils, fuels, and elastomers.
- Food & Beverage: Edible oils and fats, baked goods, snack foods, cereals, chewing gum, fried foods, extruded cereals, dehydrated potato products, and food packaging.
- Cosmetics & Personal Care: Creams, lotions, lipsticks, makeup, hair care formulations, and other oil-based cosmetic products.
- Pharmaceuticals: API stabilization, pharmaceutical gels, creams, liquids, gelatin capsules, tablets, and other dosage forms.
- Animal Feed: Feed additives for all animal species, pet food formulations, and fat-containing feed ingredient preservation.
- Industrial Applications: Jet fuels, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming fluid.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides antioxidant formulation guidance, stability testing recommendations, impurity profiling, and regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, FDA compliance, EFSA E321 documentation, REACH compliance, TSCA certification). We offer custom packaging and just-in-time delivery.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the antioxidant, food additive, pharmaceutical excipient, and specialty chemical industries.
- Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, grade requirements, packaging sizes, and regulatory documentation needs.
- Cost-effectiveness: High quality at competitive industrial pricing.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: Aug-09-2026