Phenolic Resins Global Market Report 2026

Phenolic resins are synthetic resins produced through the polymerization of phenol and formaldehyde. Renowned for their excellent chemical, water, and temperature stability, these resins find widespread use in various commercial applications, including electronic circuits, automotive tires, and other automotive components. Notably, phenolic resins exhibit high stability under adverse conditions but lack remoldability, making them recyclable.

The primary types of phenolic resins include resol, novolac, and others. Resol is employed in diverse applications requiring resistance to high temperatures and chemical concentrations, such as adhesives, abrasives, coatings, tires, and foams. Resol resin is formed when a basic (alkaline) catalyst is utilized in the production of phenolic resin. This type of resin offers resistance to high temperatures, water, and chemicals. Various applications of phenolic resins encompass wood adhesives, molding, insulation, laminates, paper impregnation, coatings, refractory materials, friction materials, rubber, tires, and more. Industries such as building and construction, furniture, automotive, electrical and electronics utilize phenolic resins across different end-user applications.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are affecting the phenolic resins market by increasing costs of imported phenol, formaldehyde, specialty additives, and processing equipment used in resin manufacturing. Producers in North America and Europe are most impacted due to dependence on imported chemical feedstocks, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures on export-oriented resin production. These tariffs are elevating raw material costs and squeezing manufacturer margins. However, they are also encouraging regional feedstock sourcing, local resin production expansion, and innovation in alternative phenolic formulations.

The phenolic resins market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides phenolic resins market statistics, including phenolic resins industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a phenolic resins market share, detailed phenolic resins market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the phenolic resins industry. This phenolic resins market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The phenolic resins market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $14.88 billion in 2025 to $15.99 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of automotive component manufacturing, growth of construction and insulation materials, rising use in electrical laminates, increasing demand for durable adhesives, availability of cost-effective phenolic formulations.

The phenolic resins market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $20.99 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption in electric vehicle components, rising demand for sustainable resin alternatives, expansion of electronics manufacturing, growing investments in high-temperature resistant materials, increasing focus on circular material solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of high-performance thermoset resins, rising adoption in automotive lightweighting applications, growing demand for flame-retardant materials, expansion of phenolic resins in electrical insulation, enhanced focus on recyclable thermoset materials.

The growing need for lightweight, eco-friendly synthetic structures in the automotive industry is driving the phenolic resin market. The automotive industry involves designing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling automobiles. Manufacturers are increasingly using lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency. Phenolic resins are applied in the production of lightweight tires, brake pedals, and other under-the-hood automotive parts. For instance, in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency is a France-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, electric vehicle sales in 2023 rose by 3.5 million units compared to 2022, marking a 35% year-on-year growth. Therefore, the growing use of lightweight materials in the automotive industry is propelling the phenolic resin market.

Major companies in the phenolic resins market are focusing on developing advanced solutions such as bio-circular epoxy resin systems to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce carbon footprint across resin-based applications. A bio-circular epoxy resin system uses renewable or mass-balanced raw materials, safer chemical compositions, and waterborne or low-VOC formulations to deliver the performance of traditional resins with lower environmental impact. For instance, in March 2025, Westlake Epoxy, a U.S.-based resin and epoxy manufacturer, launched EpoVIVE, a new portfolio featuring bio-circular and low-emission epoxy phenolic resins and curing agents. The EpoVIVE portfolio offers a lower carbon footprint through ISCC PLUS mass-balanced renewable raw materials, energy-efficient production, waterborne low-VOC dispersions, and safer, SVHC-free, and CMR-free materials. The suite includes resin grades such as EPIKOTE 901 and 902 and solvent-free AQUAREOUS systems suitable for flooring coatings, concrete or metal coatings, and high-performance adhesives. The portfolio supports circular economy practices with formulations designed for reuse, recycling, or repurposing, enabling industries such as automotive, aerospace, coatings, composites, and construction to meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

In January 2024, Shrieve Chemical Company, a US-based value-added chemicals distributor, acquired TLC Ingredients for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aimed to expand Shrieve's geographic footprint in the U.S. Midwest and strengthen its offerings in the growing food ingredients and specialty chemicals markets by integrating TLC's established distribution network and product lines. TLC Ingredients is a US-based distributor of food ingredients, industrial chemicals, and phenolic resins, supplying a broad portfolio of chemicals for food, industrial, and specialty resin applications.

Major companies operating in the phenolic resins market are Hexion Inc., Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd., SI Group Inc., BASF SE, DIC Corporation, Kolon Industries, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals, Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd., Jinan Shengquan Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Laiwu Runda New Material Co., Ltd., Prefere Resins GmbH, Metadynea International GmbH, Chang Chun Group, Sbhpp (Shanghai BHH Phenolic Polymers?), Plenco LLC, UCP Chemicals AG, Lerg SA, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Changshu South-East Plastic Co., Ltd., Allnex

North America was the largest region in the phenolic resins market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the phenolic resins market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the phenolic resins market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The phenolic resins market consists of sales of modified resin, solid resoles and liquid resoles. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Phenolic Resins Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses phenolic resins market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for phenolic resins ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The phenolic resins market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Resol; Novolac; Other Types
• 2) By Application: Wood Adhesives; Molding; Insulation; Laminates; Paper Impregnation; Friction Materials; Refractory Materials; Other Applications
• 3) By End-User: Building and Construction; Furniture; Automotive; Electrical and Electronics; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Resol: Low-Viscosity Resol Resins; High-Viscosity Resol Resins
• 2) By Novolac: Liquid Novolac Resins; Solid Novolac Resins; Thermosetting Novolac Resins
• 3) By Other Types: Modified Phenolic Resins; Bakelite Resins; Phenolic Foam Resins
• Companies Mentioned: Hexion Inc.; Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.; SI Group Inc.; BASF SE; DIC Corporation; Kolon Industries; Georgia-Pacific Chemicals; Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd.; Jinan Shengquan Group Co., Ltd.; Shandong Laiwu Runda New Material Co., Ltd.; Prefere Resins GmbH; Metadynea International GmbH; Chang Chun Group; Sbhpp (Shanghai BHH Phenolic Polymers?); Plenco LLC; UCP Chemicals AG; Lerg SA; Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Changshu South-East Plastic Co., Ltd.; Allnex
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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