For those looking to keep abreast of the global Phenol market, our independent, unbiased pricing information, news and market analysis is an invaluable resource.
Whether you buy or sell Phenol or related products, you need to know about the prices and the factors driving the prices in the global Phenol market as they happen. Our network of price reporters throughout Asia, Europe and the US provide key local insights. We collate this intelligence into daily and weekly price reports, ensuring you have the up-to-date information you need at all times.
Updated to Q4 2020
Asia
Supply was lower due to planned and unplanned turnarounds and reductions. South Korea’s Kumho P&B and Japan’s Chiba-based Mitsui Chemicals were shut in October; Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corp was shut in December. Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical had an unexpected turnaround in November. A couple of plants were heard to have cut back on production from feedstock supply issues.
Spot demand soared in November following a sluggish October, due to cutbacks in spot supply from scheduled and unscheduled turnarounds. CFR CMP prices were at their highest since late February. Feedstock benzene and derivatives also rendered support, in particular major derivative BPA. Other derivatives such as PC, epoxy resins and capro also performed well.
Europe
Supply was limited in Q4, as several domestic producers carried out maintenance and later in Q4 a force majeure was declared by producer Borealis at its Finland plant. Availability was also impacted by a reduction of imported material and healthy downstream demand.
Demand continued to improve in Q4 from earlier in 2020 amid a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Improving demand into automotive, construction and home improvement segments increased consumption of downstream caprolactam (capro), BPA and phenolic resins.
US
US phenol supply was balanced in H1 Q4 during turnarounds at SABIC and Shell. After that, supply lengthened somewhat during H2 Q4. Although production overall remained at reduced levels, it received a boost as demand regained momentum and suppliers looked to take advantage of high acetone margins. Downstream, force majeures on polycarbonate (PC) and nylon 6,6 came into place.
Positive momentum in the auto and construction sectors carried over into Q4. More buyers were heard to be drawing volumes at normal or higher levels. Some pre-purchased material are ahead of further increases in benzene costs and upcoming constraints in cumene supply. US paints and coatings performed well due to a strong housing and construction sector, driving demand for phenolic resins.
We offer the following regional Phenol analysis and news coverage to keep you informed of factors and developments affecting prices in the Phenol marketplace.
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The primary chemical intermediates and derivatives of phenol include phenolic resin, bisphenol-A (BPA), caprolactam, adipic acid and plasticiser.
Phenol occurs as colourless to yellow crystals, with a characteristic carbolic odour which turns pink on exposure to light and air. It is strongly hydroscopic, liquefying in moist air. It is moderately dissolvable in water, but very soluble in ether, methyl and ethyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, acetic acid, glycerol, benzene and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The solution in water is a weak acid.
The main chemical intermediates and derivatives of phenol are bisphenol-A (BPA) used to make polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins, phenolic resins, caprolactam, alkylphenols, aniline and adipic acid. The largest market for phenol is BPA followed by phenolic resins.
Cumene-based technology is the dominant process to produce phenol. Here, benzene and propylene are reacted to form cumene, which is oxidised to the hydroperoxide, followed by acid-catalysed cleavage to yield phenol and acetone.
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