Global phenol capacity is poised to see considerable growth over the next five years, potentially increasing from 15.65 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2022 to 18.62mtpa in 2027, registering a total growth of 19%.

Ten planned and announced phenol projects are expected to come online, predominantly in Asia, followed by North America over the coming years.

Asia is expected to add a capacity of 2.48mtpa from seven new-build planned projects, whereas there is no expansion in the region.

Within Asia, the major capacity addition is from an announced project, Reliance Industries Jamnagar Phenol Plant, with a capacity of 1mtpa. It is expected to come online in 2026.

It is followed by another announced project, Zhejiang Petrochemical Daishan Phenol Plant 3, with a capacity of 0.40mtpa, which is expected to commence production of phenol in 2027.

North America follows next with a capacity addition of 0.31mtpa from an announced project, INEOS Phenol Mobile Phenol Plant. It is expected to come online in 2026.