What is Cyclopentane
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
33.8%
Neutral
21.5%
Bearish
44.7%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Mixed
China’s cyclopentane producers faced supply cuts of more than 15% utilization starting June 5 due to Strait of Hormuz naphtha disruptions, tightening feedstock availability and raising production costs.
Demand rose across Asia driven by construction and appliance growth, increasing offtake pressure on the already constrained supply as of June 5.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions with closure of the Hormuz Strait reinforced China’s push toward self-sufficiency in refining, further tightening upstream naphtha supply chains on June 8.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Bearish
Continued feedstock scarcity due to Hormuz Strait disruptions will likely keep production constrained and limit supply recovery through mid-June.
The persistence of force majeure declarations on Asian crackers remains the key catalyst to further supply tightness (expected treatment pending updates).
A rapid reopening or resolution of the Hormuz shipping disruption would quickly alleviate feedstock shortages and sharply curb price upside.
Key Market Impact
The dominant force is raw material scarcity from geopolitical events, causing sharp production curtailments and upward pressure on cyclopentane prices and margins.
Market participants are likely to ration supply and secure available feedstock aggressively, driving forward buying interest and potential spot premium extensions.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Early steady rise (2020): Prices gradually increased from $850 in January 2020 to $1000 in December 2020 amid no documented external influences.
Phase 2 — Strong growth phase (2021): Cyclopentane prices rose steadily 50 USD/month reaching $1600 by December 2021, with influence logs remaining neutral, suggesting market-driven factors.
Phase 3 — Continued escalation (2022–2024): Prices progressed from $1650 in January 2022 to $3250 in September 2024, with no reported events in the influence log, indicating ongoing underlying demand/supply dynamics.
Phase 4 — Further moderate increase (2024–2025): Prices continued rising from $3300 in October 2024 up to $3700 in June 2025, still without recorded influences, consistent with a mature growth period.
Phase 5 — Price surge (2026 early months): Prices jumped by $100 monthly starting January 2026, from $4100 in January to $4500 in May 2026, again no influence events noted, possibly reflecting new market conditions or constraints.
Supply-side factors
- No recorded events or factors impacting supply were documented in the provided influence log for the period 2020–2026.
Demand-side factors
- No recorded events or factors impacting demand were documented in the provided influence log for the period 2020–2026.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Isopentane (2-methylbutane) | Used as a blowing agent for rigid polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS) foam insulation in place of cyclopentane. It is a near-drop-in substitute in many foam formulations due to similar boiling point range and low GWP, though its slightly higher boiling point (28°C vs 49°C) affects foam cell structure and thermal conductivity. Widely used in EPS (expanded polystyrene) bead foaming where cyclopentane is less common. Partial blends of cyclopentane/isopentane are also standard practice. |
| n-Pentane | Substitutes cyclopentane as a physical blowing agent in EPS and XPS (extruded polystyrene) foam production. n-Pentane (bp 36°C) is cheaper and more readily available from natural gasoline fractionation. It is used as a drop-in or blend component, though its higher flammability risk and slightly different diffusion rate through foam cells require process adjustments. Less preferred than cyclopentane for high-performance PU insulation due to inferior thermal insulation values. |
| HFO-1233zd(E) (trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene) | A fourth-generation low-GWP blowing agent used in rigid PU spray foam and panel foam as a direct replacement for cyclopentane where superior thermal insulation (lower lambda value) is required. It is a drop-in replacement in terms of processing but is significantly more expensive. Preferred in high-performance applications such as LNG insulation, refrigerated transport, and premium appliance foam where cyclopentane's thermal conductivity is insufficient. |
| HFO-1336mzz(Z) (cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene) | Low-GWP fluorinated blowing agent used in rigid PU foam for appliances and construction panels as a substitute for cyclopentane. Provides lower thermal conductivity than cyclopentane, enabling thinner insulation panels. Requires no significant reformulation of the polyol system but commands a large price premium. Used where energy efficiency regulations demand lambda values below what cyclopentane can achieve. |
| CO2 (carbon dioxide, supercritical or dissolved) | Used as a blowing agent in flexible PU foam and some rigid foam applications, replacing cyclopentane or other physical blowing agents. In flexible foam, CO2 is generated in situ from the water-isocyanate reaction (chemical blowing) and is effectively a zero-cost substitute. In rigid foam, supercritical CO2 injection is used in some XPS processes. It eliminates flammability concerns but results in higher thermal conductivity (poorer insulation) compared to cyclopentane, limiting its use to non-insulation-critical applications. |
| Methylcyclohexane / Cyclohexane | Used as hydrocarbon solvents substituting cyclopentane in laboratory, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical applications where a non-aromatic, low-polarity cyclic hydrocarbon solvent is needed. These are drop-in substitutes in many solvent applications, though their higher boiling points (81°C and 101°C respectively) require process temperature adjustments. Cyclohexane is significantly cheaper and more available but has different solvency parameters. |
| Isobutane (R-600a) | Substitutes cyclopentane as a blowing agent in some rigid PU foam formulations, particularly in domestic refrigerator insulation in markets where cyclopentane supply is limited. Isobutane has a much lower boiling point (–12°C), requiring pressurized handling and significant reformulation of the foam system. It is more commonly used in combination with cyclopentane in blended blowing agent systems rather than as a full replacement. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory | US EPA | 1976 (current inventory update February 2024) | Cyclopentane is an existing chemical substance; no specific SNUR or restriction for this use; commercial activity data and regulatory flags may apply | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory) |
| United States | Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program | US EPA | 1994 (ongoing lists; hydrocarbons including cyclopentane listed as acceptable substitutes in foam blowing sector) | Acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances in foam blowing agents (e.g., rigid polyurethane foam); subject to use conditions and safety requirements due to flammability; no phase-out or prohibition | US EPA SNAP substitutes in foam blowing agents (https://www.epa.gov/snap/substitutes-foam-blowing-agents); Federal Register notices confirming listing (e.g., 2020 Determination 36) |
| United States | National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Consumer and Commercial Products (40 CFR Part 59) | US EPA | 1993 (ongoing; no specific VOC threshold application to cyclopentane as blowing agent) | No direct VOC emission limit or threshold applies to cyclopentane as a solvent or blowing agent; cyclopentane is not classified as a VOC for regulatory purposes in this context | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/); 40 CFR Part 59 |
| European Union | F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 | European Commission (repeals Regulation (EU) No 517/2014) | 2024 (applies from 11 March 2024) | Accelerated HFC phase-down and restrictions in refrigeration and foam applications; promotes use of low-GWP alternatives including cyclopentane in foam blowing and insulation (no direct limit on cyclopentane itself) | European Commission (https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/fluorinated-greenhouse-gases/f-gas-legislation_en) |
| European Union | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (Annex XVII restricted substances) | ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) | 2006 (no cyclopentane-specific restriction; ongoing) | No restriction on manufacture, use or placement on the market of cyclopentane under Annex XVII; subject to general registration obligations if manufactured or imported above tonnage thresholds | ECHA REACH (https://echa.europa.eu/information-restricted-substances) |
| China | Measures on the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12) | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) | 2020 (applies from 1 January 2021; new Ecological and Environmental Code effective August 2026) | Environmental management registration required prior to production or import of cyclopentane (if new substance); compliance with effluent and emission standards in chemical parks; no specific numerical threshold for cyclopentane identified | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) (https://www.mee.gov.cn/) |
| Global (applicable to EU/ADR, US, international transport) | ADR/RID/ADN and IMDG Code (UN number classification) | UNECE/ADR, IMO (IMDG Code) | 1993 (UN 1146; current classification) | Flammable liquid (class 3, packing group II); transport restrictions apply due to high flammability (no specific cyclopentane prohibition or numerical threshold beyond general flammable liquid rules) | UN Transport (https://unece.org/dangerous-goods); SDS data (UN 1146 for CYCLOPENTANE) |
| United States | OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and Process Safety Management | OSHA | 2012 (GHS alignment; PSM for highly hazardous chemicals) | Classified as highly flammable liquid and vapor (GHS Category 2); PEL 600 ppm (8-hour TWA); subject to PSM if above threshold quantities in covered processes; NFPA fire rating 3 | OSHA (https://www.osha.gov/); ACGIH/NIOSH exposure limits referenced |
Key Influence Events
Cyclopentane is a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C5H10, consisting of a five-membered ring of carbon atoms each bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a mild petroleum-like odor, boiling point of approximately 49.3°C, and density of about 0.751 g/cm³ at 20°C. Commercially, cyclopentane is obtained primarily by the hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene (a co-product of naphtha steam cracking) or by isolation from light naphtha fractions via distillation and adsorption. Its most significant industrial application is as a blowing agent in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam insulation, where it has largely replaced ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). It is also used as a solvent, in chemical synthesis, and as a component in specialty fuels and aerosol formulations.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Cyclopentane
Cyclopentane is a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C5H10, consisting of a five-membered ring of carbon atoms each bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid with a mild petroleum-like odor, boiling point of approximately 49.3°C, and density of about 0.751 g/cm³ at 20°C. Commercially, cyclopentane is obtained primarily by the hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene (a co-product of naphtha steam cracking) or by isolation from light naphtha fractions via distillation and adsorption. Its most significant industrial application is as a blowing agent in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam insulation, where it has largely replaced ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). It is also used as a solvent, in chemical synthesis, and as a component in specialty fuels and aerosol formulations.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Cyclopentane content) | ≥ 95.0 | wt% | Technical Grade |
| Purity (Cyclopentane content) | ≥ 99.0 | wt% | High Purity / Blowing Agent Grade |
| Purity (Cyclopentane content) | ≥ 99.5 | wt% | Research / Reagent Grade |
| Boiling Point | 49.2 – 49.4 | °C | All grades |
| Density at 20°C | 0.748 – 0.753 | g/cm³ | All grades |
| Refractive Index (nD20) | 1.404 – 1.407 | — | All grades |
| Water Content (Karl Fischer) | ≤ 50 (Technical); ≤ 20 (High Purity) | ppm wt | Technical / High Purity |
| Total Sulfur | ≤ 1 | ppm wt | High Purity / Blowing Agent Grade |
| n-Pentane + Isopentane (impurities) | ≤ 3.0 (Technical); ≤ 0.5 (High Purity) | wt% | Technical / High Purity |
| Cyclopentadiene content | ≤ 10 (Technical); ≤ 5 (High Purity) | ppm wt | Technical / High Purity |
| Benzene content | ≤ 1 | ppm wt | High Purity / Blowing Agent Grade |
| Color (APHA) | ≤ 10 | APHA | All grades |
| Flash Point (closed cup) | –37 | °C | All grades |
| Odor Threshold | ~1 | ppm (v/v) | Reference |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Haltermann Carless | Frankfurt, Germany | Speyer, Germany |
| INEOS | London, United Kingdom | |
| Chevron Phillips Chemical | The Woodlands, Texas, USA | |
| Maruzen Petrochemical | Tokyo, Japan | |
| SK Geo Centric | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Junyuan Petroleum Group | Dongying, Shandong, China |
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