Isoamyl alcohol, CAS: 123-51-3. Also known as 2-methyl-1-propanol or isoamyl alcohol, it is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H12O. It is a volatile, flammable liquid with an alcohol-like odor. Isoamyl alcohol has two stereoisomers: 2-methyl-1-propanol (main component) and 3-methyl-1-propanol.
The methods for biosynthesis of isoamyl alcohol are:
- Fermentation method (extraction from fusel oil)
Using grain crops such as wheat and rice as raw materials, the by-product fusel alcohol is obtained by fermentation and wine making, and isoamyl alcohol is obtained by distillation from the fusel alcohol. The advantage of the fermentation method is that it can use carbohydrates such as starch as raw materials and yeast and other strains to directly ferment to produce isoamyl alcohol. However, the fermentation method also has shortcomings. For example, isoamyl alcohol is a by-product of fermentation. Its output is very small and difficult to separate, making it difficult for industrial production.
- Synthesis via Ehrlich pathway
The proteins and amino acids in the raw materials are decomposed under the action of transaminase decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase secreted by yeast, producing long-chain alcohols such as isoamyl alcohol, amyl alcohol isobutanol, propanol, isopropanol, hexanol and heptanol. The advantage of this method is that it can use proteins, other non-carbohydrate substances as raw materials, and improves the utilization range of raw materials. The disadvantages are the same as the fermentation method, that is, the products are complex, the output is small, it is difficult to effectively separate, and it is not conducive to large-scale production, etc.
- Non-fermentative synthesis method
Microorganisms catalyze the substrate α-keto acid under the action of α-keto acid decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase to produce isoamyl alcohol.
- Photosynthetic pathway synthesis method
Using the Calvin Cycle, photosynthetic microorganisms can fix CO and generate glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and then through the sugar degradation pathway, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate generates pyruvate under the action of a series of enzymes or coenzyme factors. Through the metabolic conversion of pyruvate, long-chain alcohols such as isoamyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, and isobutanol can be synthesized. This approach can utilize the photosynthetic carbon fixation of microorganisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while producing excellent biomass liquid fuel isoamyl alcohol, broadening the biosynthetic path of isoamyl alcohol. However, at present, the production and synthesis of isoamyl alcohol through the photosynthetic pathway mainly remains at the level of theoretical research.
The main uses of isoamyl alcohol include:
- Industrial use: As an organic synthesis intermediate, it is used in the production of chemicals such as spices, rubber additives, and plastic softeners.
- Medical uses: In pharmaceutical preparation, isoamyl alcohol can be used as an intermediate in drug synthesis, and also as a solvent and extraction agent. The pharmaceutical industry is the major driver of the isoamyl alcohol market, besides increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and expansion of pharmaceutical production in emerging countries are driving the demand for isoamyl alcohol.
- Fragrance: Production of isoamyl salicylate, widely used in soaps and cosmetics fragrances. The perfume and cosmetics industry is also one of the key drivers of the isoamyl alcohol market.
- Laboratory application: As a solvent, it is often used in chemical experiments and synthetic reactions in laboratories.
- Mining: Production of xanthate
The global Isoamyl alcohol market was valued at US$ million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ million by 2032, implying a CAGR of % over 2026–2032.
The North America market for Isoamyl alcohol is forecast to increase from US$ million in 2026 to US$ million by 2032, corresponding to a CAGR of % over 2026–2032.
The Europe market for Isoamyl alcohol is projected to rise from US$ million in 2026 to US$ million by 2032, registering a CAGR of % over 2026–2032.
The Asia Pacific market for Isoamyl alcohol is expected to grow from US$ million in 2026 to US$ million by 2032, at a CAGR of % over 2026–2032.
Leading global manufacturers of Isoamyl alcohol include , among others. In 2025, the top three vendors together accounted for approximately % of global revenue.
Report Scope
This report quantifies the global Isoamyl alcohol market in revenue (US$ million) and, where applicable, sales volume (Tons), using 2025 as the base year and providing annual historical and forecast data for 2021–2032.
It standardizes definitions of types and applications, harmonizes vendor attribution, and presents comparable time series by company, type, application, and region/country, including indicative price bands (US$/Tons) and concentration ratios (CR5/CR10).
The outputs are intended to support strategy development, budgeting, and performance benchmarking for manufacturers, new entrants, channel partners, and investors; the report also reviews technology shifts and notable product introductions relevant to Isoamyl alcohol.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
This section profiles leading manufacturers, combining 2021–2025 results with a 2026–2032 outlook. It reports revenue, market share, price bands, product and application mix, regional and channel mix, and key developments (M&A, capacity additions, certifications). It also provides global revenue, average price, and—where applicable—sales volume by manufacturer, and calculates CR5/CR10 and rank changes to support comparative benchmarking.
Isoamyl alcohol Market by Company
- Petrom
- Oxiteno
- BASF
- Chemoxy
- Alfrebro
- Oxea
- Nimble Technologies
- Kaili Chemical
- Yancheng Hongtai Bioengineering
- Shandong Hongyuan Chemical
- Sanjiang Chemical
- Baohua Chemical
- Chemoxy International
- Tokyo Chemical Industry
- Shandong Sunway Chemical
- Oakwood Products
- Alfa Aesar
- Sigma-Aldrich
Isoamyl alcohol Segment by Type
- Isoamyl Alcohol (98%)
- Isoamyl Alcohol (99%)
Isoamyl alcohol Segment by Application
- Spices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Industrial
- Mining (Xanthate)
- laboratory
Isoamyl alcohol Segment by Region
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- U.K.
- Italy
- Russia
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Poland
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- Australia
- Taiwan
- Southeast Asia
- South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Middle East & Africa
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Israel
- Türkiye
- GCC Countries
Key Drivers & Barriers
High-impact rendering factors and drivers have been studied in this report to aid the readers to understand the general development. Moreover, the report includes restraints and challenges that may act as stumbling blocks on the way of the players. This will assist the users to be attentive and make informed decisions related to business. Specialists have also laid their focus on the upcoming business prospects.
Reasons to Buy This Report
- This report will help the readers to understand the competition within the industries and strategies for the competitive environment to enhance the potential profit. The report also focuses on the competitive landscape of the global Isoamyl alcohol market, and introduces in detail the market share, industry ranking, competitor ecosystem, market performance, new product development, operation situation, expansion, and acquisition. etc. of the main players, which helps the readers to identify the main competitors and deeply understand the competition pattern of the market.
- This report will help stakeholders to understand the global industry status and trends of Isoamyl alcohol and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.
- This report will help stakeholders to understand competitors better and gain more insights to strengthen their position in their businesses. The competitive landscape section includes the market share and rank (in volume and value), competitor ecosystem, new product development, expansion, and acquisition.
- This report stays updated with novel technology integration, features, and the latest developments in the market
- This report helps stakeholders to gain insights into which regions to target globally
- This report helps stakeholders to gain insights into the end-user perception concerning the adoption of Isoamyl alcohol.
- This report helps stakeholders to identify some of the key players in the market and understand their valuable contribution.
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Research objectives, research methods, data sources, data cross-validation;
Chapter 2: Introduces the report scope of the report, executive summary of different market segments (by region, product type, application, etc), including the market size of each market segment, future development potential, and so on. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.
Chapter 3: Detailed analysis of Isoamyl alcohol manufacturers competitive landscape, price, production and value market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 4: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product production/output, value, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 5: Production/output, value of Isoamyl alcohol by region/country. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region in the next six years.
Chapter 6: Consumption of Isoamyl alcohol in regional level and country level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and its main countries and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and production of each country in the world.
Chapter 7: Provides the analysis of various market segments by type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 8: Provides the analysis of various market segments by application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 9: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 10: Introduces the market dynamics, latest developments of the market, the driving factors and restrictive factors of the market, the challenges and risks faced by manufacturers in the industry, and the analysis of relevant policies in the industry.
Chapter 11: The main points and conclusions of the report.
