# Bisphenol A: Feedstocks

Why making phenol on site is the winning formula

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/feedstocks/

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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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 oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)

#### What it is made into

| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| [PC Polycarbonate](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polycarbonate/) | about 62% of BPA |
| [EPX Epoxy resins](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epoxy/) | about 30% |
| [FR Flame retardants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/flame_retardants/) | about 4% |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/production/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/bisphenol_a/links/index.md)