CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

Cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone are primarily captively consumed, either isolated or as a mixture, in the production of nylon intermediates (adipic acid and caprolactam); less than 5% is consumed in markets other than nylon. About 80% of production is based on cyclohexane raw material; the remainder is based on phenol (and 2% on toluene).

Since most cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone is captively consumed on site for the production of adipic acid and caprolactam (over 95%), only minor amounts enter the world’s trade markets (cyclohexane, a precursor, is more widely traded). Major world consumption areas are Western Europe, the United States and Other Asia. For the next several years, Other Asia (in particular, China) is expected to have the highest average annual growth rate for cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone consumption.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone:

With the global economic downturn, declines and slowdowns in a variety of industries will limit cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone growth. For example, in the United States, the housing and construction slumps will negatively affect the carpet and rug markets, both for residential and commercial businesses. This market accounts for the largest segment of nylon fiber demand, fibers that are made from adipic acid and caprolactam, and that, in turn, are the drivers of the cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone products.