|
Global production of resorcinol reached 48 thousand metric tons in 2004, representing a total value of $257 million. Japan is the largest producer of resorcinol while the United States is the largest consumer. In 2004, U.S. and Japanese plants operated at rates in excess of 90% of their nameplate capacities.
There are two major producers of resorcinol in the world; one in Japan and the other in the United States. In addition, there are three small plants in China, two in India and a small plant in Japan.
The following graph shows the end-use breakdown of resorcinol consumption in each region:
Outside the United States, Western Europe and Japan, the principal use of resorcinol is in the production of adhesive resins for tires.
Trade among regions is significant—nearly two-thirds of world production was exported (about 32 thousand metric tons) in 2004. In recent years, trade has increased most significantly in Other Asia and Other Regions, where imports rose from 11 thousand metric tons in 2000 to 18 thousand metric tons in 2004. The majority of imported resorcinol among these regions was received by China, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Turkey, Thailand, South Africa and Taiwan.
|
