Bisphenol A: Feedstocks
Why making phenol on site is the winning formula
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.BPA is made from phenol and acetone, so its cost is about 85-90% feedstock, tracing back to benzene and propylene. Competitive producers make phenol and acetone on the same site, which avoids shipping molten phenol and balances the acetone co-product.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenol | about 0.84 t (indicative) | aromatic rings | about 70% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative |
| Acetone | about 0.26 t (indicative) | bridging carbon | about 15% (indicative) | indicative |
| Oil Crude oil | indirect | ultimate feed | included above | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Integrated Chinese and Korean complexes with phenol, acetone and polycarbonate on one site are lowest cost. Stand-alone BPA makers buying phenol, and European producers with high energy costs, sit high on the curve.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| PC Polycarbonate | about 62% of BPA |
| EPX Epoxy resins | about 30% |
| FR Flame retardants | about 4% |