CUMENE MARKET ANALYSIS

Worldwide cumene market analyzed to learn customers of cumene and decide capacity and product
properties. In market, cumene is used with at least 99% purity.

Feedstock for the production of Phenol. The cumene oxidation process for phenol synthesis has been
growing in popularity since the 1960’s and is prominent today. The first step of this process is the formation
of cumene hydroperoxide. The hydroperoxide is then selectively cleaved to Phenol. The growing demand for
phenol from plastics and composites segment has significantly increased the demand for Cumene. Hence,
this is one of the major driving factors for the market.

Feedstock for the production of Acetone. Acetone production is also expected to drive the Cumene Market
for the growing demand in various end-user such as plastics, PVC industries, pharmaceutical industries,
solvent, and paint/resin/adhesive thinners.

Growing Demand for Polycarbonate. Cumene is majorly required in the manufacturing of polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate has been one of the booming markets with steady growth. PC resins are significantly
consumed in automotive industry. Thus, with the consistent growth in the automotive industry, globally, the
demand for PC is expected to increase and growth trend is expected to continue during the forecast period.
Therefore, with the growth of the polycarbonate market, the demand for Cumene is expected to rise.

Blending Component in Gasoline Pool. One trend in the market is increased use of cumene as a blending
component in gasoline pool. The major refinery products manufactured using the product blending technique
are gasoline, heating oils, jet fuels, and diesel fuels. The objective of product blending is to assign the
available blending components in a way that will ensure that all the product demands and specifications are
compatible at the least cost and to produce products to maximize the overall profit.

Solvent for Paints, Lacquers, and Enamels. Small amounts of Cumene are used as thinners for paints,
lacquers, and enamels, and as solvents in paints and other types of coatings which find their uses in
automotive and furniture. Cumene is also used to produce acetophenone, the chemical intermediate
dicumylperoxide and diiso propyl benzene.

Feedstock for the production of Methylstyrene. Methylstyrene is produced in controlled quantities from
the cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide, or it can be made directly by the dehydrogenation of cumene.
TARGET MARKET:

 Adhesives
- Cumene is a raw material for Acetone, which is utilized in a multiplicity of adhesive applications,
such as spray adhesives that can be bought from any DIY store, and glues used to adhere the
shoe parts in the footwear industry.

 Agro chemicals
- Cumene is used as a raw material for acetone and phenol, which is used as a raw material for
the manufacturing of pesticides and herbicides, such as 2,4−𝑑𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑥𝑦𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑
(2,4−𝐷) and Monoisopropylamine (MIPA), products which are meant to protect crops and
improve yields.

 Automotive
- Cumene is majorly required in the manufacturing of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate has been one
of the booming markets with steady growth in the industry.

 Chemicals
- Cumene is used throughout in the chemical industry as solvent, and intermediates in a variety
of chemical processes.

 Coatings
- Small amounts of Cumene are used as thinners for paints, lacquers, and enamels, and as
solvents in paints and other types of coatings which find their uses in automotive and furniture.

 Refinery
- Cumene is use as a blending component in gasoline pool. The major refinery products
manufactured using the product blending technique are gasoline, heating oils, jet fuels, and
diesel fuels. The objective of product blending is to assign the available blending components in
a way that will ensure that all the product demands and specifications are compatible at the least
cost and to produce products to maximize the overall profit.
Cumene Market
The global cumene market is expected to witness a CAGR of approximately 4.8%, during the forecasted
period. The major factor driving the market is the growing demand for phenol from plastics and composites
applications.

Rising Demand for Phenol

Cumene is a flammable and colorless liquid and a constituent of refined fuels and crude oil. It is made
primarily for phenol and acetone production, which consume more than 90% of all cumene. Therefore,
cumene has a close dependency on phenol. The growing demand for phenol from plastics and composites
segment has significantly increased the demand for cumene. Hence, this is one of the major driving factors
for the market during the forecast period. However, the extended exposure of cumene causes harmful effects
to human, which may hinder the market growth to a certain extent.

Growing Demand for Polycarbonate

Cumene is majorly required in the manufacturing of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate has been one of the
booming markets with steady growth. PC resins are significantly consumed in automotive industry. Thus,
with the consistent growth in the automotive industry, globally, the demand for PC is expected to increase
and growth trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Therefore, with the growth of the
polycarbonate market, the demand for cumene is expected to rise, during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is the Dominating Region in Cumene Market

In terms of consumption in 2017, Asia-Pacific held the largest share. The demand for cumene in countries
including China, India, and Indonesia are expected to rise at a great pace owing to the increasing demand
for phenol and acetone, owing to growing automotive and construction industry in the abovementioned
countries. However, the harmful effects of cumene on extended exposure may hamper the market growth to
a certain extent in the region during the forecast period.

Key Developments in the Cumene Market

 July 2017: INEOS Phenol planned for ‘world-scale’ cumene plant in Germany with a potential start-
up date of 2020
Cumene Market Major Player:
 AkzoNobel NV
 BASF SE
 BP PLC
 Chang Chun Plastics Co., Ltd
 China Petrochemical Development Corporation
 Exxonmobil Corp.
 Formosa Plastic Group
 Ineos Group Limited
 JX Nippon Oil and Energy Group
 Olin Corporation
 Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.
 Royal Dutch Shell PLC
 SABIC
 Taiwan Cement Corporation
 Tata Chemical Company
 The Dow Chemical Company