Credit: benografix via Shutterstock.

China is likely to register the highest phenol capacity additions globally by 2028, contributing around 67% of the total capacity additions from upcoming projects, according to research by GlobalData, Offshore Technology’s parent company.

Its latest report, Phenol Industry Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Active and Planned Plants to 2028, reveals that China is likely to witness a phenol capacity addition of 1.74 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) during 2024–28 from six planned projects.

Nivedita Roy, oil and gas analyst at GlobalData, said: “Phenol, popularly known as carbolic acid, is a volatile crystalline compound widely used for the synthesis of various kinds of pharmaceutical drugs, phenolic resins and plastic polymers.”

She added that with “China being one of the largest markets for plastics and epoxy resins, there is a need for increased production capacity in the country”.

In China, the highest capacity addition is expected from the Hainan Huasheng New Material Technology Company Dongfang Phenol Plant and Rongsheng New Materials Taizhou Phenol Plant, with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) each.

Both are currently under construction and are expected to commence phenol production in 2026.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Some of the other major capacity additions are from Shiyou Chemical Yangzhou Phenol Plant 2 and SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Zhangzhou Phenol Plant.

Both are expected to come online in 2026 with a capacity of 280,000tpa and 250,000tpa, respectively.

Phenols are widely used in household products, such as a disinfectant in household cleaners and in mouthwash.