Phenol and acetone: Feedstocks
Why the acetone credit matters as much as benzene
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.Phenol is made from benzene and propylene via cumene, so its cost tracks naphtha and propylene. The acetone credit matters as much as feed cost. Competitive producers are integrated from benzene to BPA so they can use both products on site.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | about 0.87 t (indicative) | aromatic ring | about 55-60% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative |
| Propylene (refinery or polymer grade) | about 0.47 t (indicative) | isopropyl group, becomes acetone | about 25% (indicative); refinery-grade discount of 5-30 cents/lb debated in US cumene pricing (S&P Global) | S&P Global H1 2026; indicative |
| Oil Crude oil | indirect | ultimate feed | included above | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Integrated Chinese complexes (Hengli, ZPC) with captive benzene and propylene are lowest cost. Southeast Asian and Korean exporters are mid-curve. European producers, with high energy and CO2 costs, sit at the top and are closing.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| BPA Bisphenol A | about 45% of phenol |
| CPL Caprolactam | via cyclohexanone |
| PMMA Acrylics (PMMA) | acetone via ACH route to MMA |
| IPA Isopropanol | acetone hydrogenation |
| PC Polycarbonate | via BPA |
| EPX Epoxy resins | via BPA |