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In 2023–2024, the leading exporters of Phenol (CAS 108-95-2) were South Korea, the United States, and Taiwan, collectively accounting for over 40% of global exports; major importers included China, Germany, and Mexico, with China remaining the largest single market. Phenol prices have shown increased volatility since mid-2023, correlating with shifts in export volumes from U.S. and South Korean producers amid changing feedstock costs and regional demand fluctuations in polymer and resin manufacturing.
Recent Market Dynamics Intelligence
1. **Price Trends**
- The domestic market price of para-phenol is exhibiting a narrow fluctuation trend. The mainstream market price in the East China region is around 7,800–8,000 yuan/ton, in the North China region it is 7,900–8,100 yuan/ton, and in the South China region it is 8,000–8,200 yuan/ton. There are certain regional price differences, but the fluctuation range remains relatively small.
- Compared with the same period last week, prices in East China remained largely unchanged, prices in North China rose slightly by 50–100 yuan/ton, and prices in South China declined slightly by approximately 50 yuan/ton.
2. **Supply Situation**
- The operating rate of domestic para-phenol production enterprises remains stable, generally maintained between 75% and 80%. Some plants are operating normally and producing according to schedule, ensuring a relatively sufficient supply of market goods.
- On the import front, the volume of recently arrived ship cargo has increased, partially filling the domestic supply gap, but imported goods have had limited impact on domestic market prices.
3. **Demand Situation**
- The operating rate of the downstream bisphenol A (BPA) industry is maintained at around 70%, resulting in stable demand for para-phenol. BPA market prices show little fluctuation, and enterprises are procuring para-phenol on an as-needed basis to maintain normal production inventory.
- The phenolic resin industry has entered the traditional off-season, with operating rates declining to 60%–65%, leading to reduced demand for para-phenol. However, some enterprises still have rigid procurement needs to maintain basic production.
- Demand from other downstream industries, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, has not changed significantly, and overall demand remains stable.
4. **Cost Factors**
- The price of raw material benzene has recently shown an upward oscillating trend, strengthening the cost support for para-phenol. Benzene market prices, influenced by fluctuations in international crude oil prices and changes in domestic supply, are around 7,200–7,400 yuan/ton, up from previous levels.
- Propylene market prices remain relatively stable, having minimal impact on para-phenol costs. Mainstream propylene prices are in the range of 6,800–7,000 yuan/ton, with little fluctuation.
5. **Market Sentiment**
- Traders are cautious, mostly operating according to market trends. Due to small price fluctuations, traders have little willingness to stockpile, primarily adopting a quick-in-quick-out strategy to reduce inventory risks.
- Downstream enterprises have a stable procurement mindset, purchasing in moderation based on production needs, and remain in a wait-and-see attitude regarding future price trends.
Analysis and Judgment
1. **Supply Side**: Stable operating rates of domestic production enterprises and increased import supplies indicate sufficient overall market supply, which will exert some pressure on price increases.
2. **Demand Side**: Downstream BPA demand is stable, but the phenolic resin industry is in the off-season with reduced demand. Overall demand lacks growth momentum, making it difficult to provide strong support for prices.
3. **Cost Side**: Rising benzene prices strengthen cost support for para-phenol, but stable propylene prices mean the overall impact of the cost side is complex, with limited force to drive price increases.
4. **Market Sentiment**: Both traders and downstream enterprises are cautious, and market trading activity is low, which is unfavorable for significant price fluctuations.
Forecast
In the short term, para-phenol market prices will continue to maintain a narrow fluctuation trend, with a price range of 7,700–8,100 yuan/ton. In the medium term, if downstream industry demand shows no significant improvement and supply remains sufficient, prices will still face downward pressure, but the decline will be limited due to cost support. Long-term trends will need to monitor changes in international crude oil prices, raw material benzene and propylene prices, and the recovery of downstream industry demand.
Phenol is a white crystalline solid at room temperature with a distinct sweet, acrid odor and moderate volatility; it melts at 43 °C and boils at 182 °C. It is an aromatic organic compound and one of the simplest hydroxybenzenes, widely classified as a key chemical intermediate. Phenol serves primarily as a precursor in the synthesis of bisphenol A (for polycarbonates and epoxy resins), caprolactam (for nylon-6), alkylphenols, and phenolic resins. Its major application areas include polymer manufacturing, adhesives, laminates, and coatings, with smaller-volume uses in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and disinfectants.
Phenol is an important organic chemical raw material, widely used in the production of phenolic resin and bisphenol A, in which bisphenol A is important raw material for polycarbonate, epoxy resin, polysulfone resin and other plastics. In some cases the phenol is used to produce iso-octylphenol, isononylphenol, or isododecylphenol through addition reaction with long-chain olefins such as diisobutylene, tripropylene, tetra-polypropylene and the like, which are used in production of nonionic surfactants. In addition, it can also be used as an important raw material for caprolactam, adipic acid, dyes, medicines, pesticides and plastic additives and rubber auxiliaries.
Phenol is commonly known as carbolic acid. The chemical properties of phenol are very active, and it turns to reddish crystals in the air or in contact with any impurities. It absorbs the moisture in the air and gradually liquefies in the air. Phenol is slightly soluble in water, soluble in benzene, alkaline solution and organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, chloroform, glycerol, etc. Phenol is weakly acidic and reacts with base to form salt. It appears blue when being dissolved in ferric chloride solution.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals - Propylene Industry. See more about what is Phenol and Phenol SDS information.
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