Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, is one of the most important building blocks of the chemical industry. Buyers searching for the price of phenol 99% per kg often expect a simple number, but in practice phenol is a commodity whose price moves continuously with the market. This article explains what phenol 99% is, what drives its price, and how buyers can compare offers intelligently.
What Is Phenol 99%?
Phenol (CAS 108-95-2) is a colorless to light pink liquid with a strong, characteristic odor. It is a powerful antiseptic and disinfectant used in medical, laboratory and industrial settings, and it is one of the classic raw materials of the organic chemical industry. The grade designation 99% refers to the minimum purity of the product, which is the most common commercial grade for industrial use.
Key Applications of Phenol 99%
Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for the production of many high-volume products, including:
Polycarbonates and epoxy resins, through bisphenol A (BPA)
Phenolic resins and molded products such as Bakelite
Nylon intermediates such as caprolactam and adipic acid
Detergents and surfactants
Herbicides, including phenoxy herbicides
Pharmaceutical drugs and intermediates
Specialty products such as picric acid
Because phenol feeds so many downstream chains, its price is closely watched as an indicator of the broader chemical economy.
Factors That Influence the Price of Phenol per Kg
The price of phenol 99% per kg is determined by a combination of market and commercial factors:
Feedstock costs: phenol is mainly produced from cumene, which is made from benzene and propylene. Benzene prices are the single largest cost driver.
Supply and demand balance: plant shutdowns, capacity additions and downstream demand for BPA and phenolic resins directly move prices.
Energy and logistics: freight rates, fuel costs and regional supply chains add to the delivered price.
Regional markets: prices differ between Asia, Europe and the Americas because of local supply, duties and currency movements.
Market timing: phenol is a commodity traded on contracts and spot markets, so prices can change weekly.
For these reasons, a single price quoted without a date, region and delivery terms should always be treated with caution.
How Purity and Grade Affect Pricing
The 99% grade is the standard industrial specification, but buyers should confirm the exact specification they need. Higher-purity grades, such as ACS or pharmaceutical grades, carry a premium because of tighter impurity limits and additional testing. Always request a certificate of analysis (COA) and confirm parameters such as water content, melting point, color and residue on evaporation.
Packaging, Volume and Procurement Considerations
How phenol is packaged and delivered has a significant effect on the unit price per kg:
Small quantities in drums cost more per kg than bulk deliveries.
Typical commercial packaging includes 200 kg drums, ISO tanks and bulk tanker loads.
Longer-term contracts and larger volumes usually secure better pricing than one-off spot purchases.
Delivery terms (ex-works, FOB, CIF) and payment terms affect the total cost and should be compared on an equal basis.
When comparing quotations, buyers should normalize all offers to the same purity, packaging, quantity, delivery terms and currency so that the comparison is meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of phenol 99% per kg?
There is no fixed price. Phenol is a commodity whose price changes with benzene feedstock costs, supply and demand, region and delivery terms, so buyers should compare current quotations from multiple suppliers.
What is another name for phenol?
Phenol is also known as carbolic acid, and its CAS number is 108-95-2.
What is phenol 99% mainly used for?
It is used to produce polycarbonates, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, nylon, detergents, herbicides and numerous pharmaceutical drugs.
Why does the price of phenol fluctuate?
Because phenol is made from cumene derived from benzene and propylene, its price follows benzene feedstock costs and the supply-demand balance of the downstream market.
How is phenol 99% packaged?
Typical packaging includes 200 kg drums, ISO tanks and bulk tanker loads, with the unit price depending on the volume purchased.
What purity is phenol 99%?
Phenol 99% means the product contains at least 99% phenol by assay, which is the standard industrial grade for most downstream applications.
