O-Cresol Prices, Trends, Chart, News, Index and Market Demand

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O-Cresol Price Trend and Forecast

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Market Overview

For the Quarter Ending September 2025

North America

• In the United States, the O-Cresol Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by escalating production costs.

• O-Cresol production costs accelerated in Q3 2025, influenced by a 3.0% CPI increase in September 2025.

• Phenol and methanol feedstock costs strengthened in Q3 2025 due to refinery turnarounds and tight supply conditions.

• Industrial production showed near-stagnant 0.1% year-over-year growth in September 2025, limiting O-Cresol industrial demand.

• Retail sales increased 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, indirectly supporting O-Cresol demand in consumer goods.

• Automotive demand strengthened in Q3 2025, with light vehicle sales rebounding, supporting O-Cresol applications.

• Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, suggesting weakening consumer optimism and potential O-Cresol demand slowdown.

• Industry inventories shrank in Q3 2025 as companies accelerated destocking, indicating potential future demand for O-Cresol.

Why did the price of O-Cresol change in September 2025 in North America?

• Producer Price Index rose 2.6% in August 2025, increasing O-Cresol raw material and energy costs.

• Regional phenol supply was constrained in Q3 2025 by plant turnarounds, tightening O-Cresol availability.

• Henry Hub natural gas spot prices trended upward in late Q3 2025, raising O-Cresol energy expenses.

APAC

• In China, the O-Cresol Price Index fell in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand and a 0.3% CPI decline.

• The O-Cresol Price Forecast indicates continued downward pressure due to persistent overcapacity and subdued downstream demand.

• O-Cresol Production Cost Trend declined in Q3 2025, primarily due to falling toluene feedstock costs in Northeast Asia.

• O-Cresol Demand Outlook remained subdued as China's manufacturing activity contracted in September 2025.

• A 2.3% year-on-year decline in producer prices in September 2025 pressured the O-Cresol Price Index.

• Consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025, indicating pessimism, weakened O-Cresol demand in consumer applications.

• Despite a 6.5% year-on-year industrial production expansion in September 2025, overall chemical overcapacity persisted.

• Toluene inventories accumulated in China during Q3 2025, increasing supply pressure and impacting O-Cresol production costs.

Why did the price of O-Cresol change in September 2025 in APAC?

• Weak industrial demand, with a 2.3% PPI decline year-on-year in September 2025, pressured O-Cresol prices.

• Declining toluene feedstock costs in Northeast Asia during Q3 2025 directly reduced O-Cresol production expenses.

• Contracting manufacturing activity in China during Q3 2025 led to subdued new orders and lower O-Cresol demand.

Europe

• In Germany, the O-Cresol Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by declining producer prices and weak industrial demand.

• O-Cresol production costs decreased in Q3 2025, supported by a 1.7% YoY fall in producer prices in September 2025.

• Phenol feedstock (benzene) costs declined sharply in August 2025, significantly lowering O-Cresol manufacturing expenses.

• European chemical demand remained subdued in Q3 2025, with Germany's industrial production down 1.0% YoY in September 2025.

• The Manufacturing Index for Q3 2025 was contracting, indicating reduced demand for O-Cresol in industrial applications.

• European phenol inventories swelled in Q3 2025, suggesting ample supply and exerting downward pressure on O-Cresol prices.

• Elevated energy costs for chemical manufacturing in Europe during Q3 2025 partially offset feedstock cost reductions.

• German automotive output rebounded sharply in September 2025, providing some indirect support for O-Cresol demand.

Why did the price of O-Cresol change in September 2025 in Europe?

• Producer prices fell 1.7% YoY in September 2025, reducing O-Cresol manufacturing costs.

• Germany's industrial production declined 1.0% YoY in September 2025, weakening O-Cresol demand.

• European phenol inventories swelled in Q3 2025, contributing to increased supply availability.

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List of O-Cresol Suppliers

1. LANXESS AG
2. Atul Ltd.
3. Sasol Phenolics
4. Mitsui Chemical, Inc.
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Product Description

Cresol refers to a group of three closely related aromatic organic compounds—ortho-, meta-, and para-cresol—classified as methylphenols. These compounds are typically derived from coal tar distillation, petroleum-based catalytic processes, or the chemical conversion of toluene through oxidation and methylation pathways. Commercial cresol is often supplied as a mixture of isomers or in purified grades, depending on downstream application requirements.

Chemically, cresols exhibit strong solvency, moderate acidity, and pronounced antimicrobial activity. They appear as colorless to yellowish liquids or low-melting solids with a characteristic phenolic odor and good thermal stability. Their ability to dissolve resins, oils, and various organic substances makes them versatile intermediates. Cresols also demonstrate reactivity typical of phenolic compounds, enabling them to undergo alkylation, esterification, and polymer-forming reactions.

Cresol is valued for its effectiveness as a chemical intermediate, disinfectant component, and industrial solvent. It plays a key role in producing phenolic resins, antioxidants, plasticizers, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemical intermediates. Additionally, due to its germicidal properties, cresol is used in certain disinfectant formulations and specialty cleaners, as well as in metallurgical processes and electronics manufacturing, where controlled solvency and reactivity are required.

Track O-Cresol price trend and forecast in top 10 leading countries worldwide.

O-Cresol Price Trend and Forecast

Ganesha LG ― Analyst – Cost – Product Engineering Wesco ―

Elizabeth Taluga ― Category Manager Leading Paint Manufacturer ―

Gabino Isla ― Director Feno Resinas ―

Ganesha LG
― Analyst – Cost – Product Engineering Wesco ―

Elizabeth Taluga
― Category Manager Leading Paint Manufacturer ―

Gabino Isla
― Director Feno Resinas ―