Cumene price December 2024 and outlook (see chart below)
- North America:US$0.92/KG, -1.1% down
- Europe:US$1.25/KG, -1.6% down
- Northeast Asia:US$0.91/KG, unchanged
- Southeast Asia:US$0.89/KG, -1.1% down
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Cumene price index
This post is a summary of the cumene price developments. The price developments of cumene are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. Cumene price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.
The outlook for cumene prices, on the second tab, is generated from different inputs including:
- Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of cumene prices
- Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of cumene
- Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of cumene prices
- Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the cumene market
- Longer term trends in likely demand conditions
Further information on the Cumene price index
What is cumene
Cumene (also known as isopropylbenzene or 1-phenylpropane) is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C9H12. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant smell and is commonly used as a solvent and as a raw material in the production of other chemicals.
Cumene is produced by the alkylation of benzene with propylene, a process that involves the reaction of benzene and propylene in the presence of an acid catalyst. The resulting product is a mixture of cumene and other compounds, which is then separated and purified to produce pure cumene.
Cumene is used as a solvent in a variety of applications, including the production of paints, resins, and adhesives. It is also used as a raw material in the production of phenol and acetone, which are important chemicals used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products. Overall, cumene is an important industrial chemical that has a wide range of uses in many different industries.
How is cumene produced
Cumene (also known as isopropylbenzene or 1-phenylpropane) is produced by the alkylation of benzene with propylene. The alkylation process involves the reaction of benzene and propylene in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid. The resulting product is a mixture of cumene and other compounds, which is then separated and purified to produce pure cumene.
The alkylation process is typically carried out in a reactor vessel, which is equipped with an agitator to mix the reactants and an overhead condenser to remove heat from the reaction. The reaction temperature and pressure are carefully controlled to optimize the yield of cumene and to minimize the formation of by-products.
After the reaction is complete, the product mixture is cooled and the cumene is separated from the other compounds using a distillation process. The resulting cumene is then purified through a series of additional distillation steps to remove impurities and to produce a high-purity product.
Overall, the production of cumene involves a complex series of chemical reactions and separation processes that are carried out under carefully controlled conditions to optimize the yield and purity of the final product.
What is cumene used for
Cumene (also known as isopropylbenzene or 1-phenylpropane) is used in a variety of applications, including:
Solvent
Cumene is used as a solvent in the production of paints, resins, and adhesives. It is known for its ability to dissolve a wide range of materials and has a relatively low evaporation rate, making it a useful solvent in many different applications.
Raw material
Cumene is used as a raw material in the production of phenol and acetone, which are important chemicals used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products. Phenol is used in the production of plastics, resins, and adhesives, while acetone is used as a solvent and in the production of a variety of chemicals, including acetone cyanohydrin, which is used in the production of pharmaceuticals and other products.
Other uses
Cumene is also used as a solvent in the production of flavors and fragrances and is used in the production of certain plastics and rubber products. It is also used in the production of certain pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Overall, cumene is an important industrial chemical that has a wide range of uses in many different industries. It is known for its ability to dissolve a wide range of materials and is used as a solvent and as a raw material in the production of other chemicals.
How big is the cumene market
The cumene market is significant, with demand driven by the use of cumene as a solvent and as a raw material in the production of other chemicals. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global cumene market was valued at approximately USD 9.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 12.2 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%.
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for cumene, followed by Europe and North America. The growth in the Asia-Pacific region is driven by the increasing demand for paints, resins, and adhesives, while the demand in Europe and North America is driven by the production of phenol and acetone.
Overall, the demand for cumene is likely to remain strong in the coming years due to its wide range of uses and the growing demand for paints, resins, and adhesives. However, the cumene market is subject to fluctuations in price and supply due to factors such as raw material costs, economic conditions, and competition from other chemicals.
According to https://oec.world/ :
Cumene are the world’s 2074th most traded product.
In 2020, the top exporters of Cumene were Singapore ($284M), Netherlands ($214M), Japan ($137M), Germany ($55.8M), and United States ($48.2M).
In 2020, the top importers of Cumene were China ($372M), Belgium ($220M), Chinese Taipei ($69.2M), Germany ($67.8M), and United States ($37.5M).
Further information
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