What is Dicyclopentadiene
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
35.4%
Neutral
31.2%
Bearish
33.4%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-02 to 2026-06-08) — Sentiment: Mixed
OPEC+ approved another oil output hike for July on 2026-06-08, increasing crude supply and lowering naphtha feedstock costs, which supports higher DCPD production volumes.
US crude inventories plunged as of 2026-06-05, tightening crude availability and driving naphtha feedstock prices up, pushing DCPD production costs higher.
Escalating Iran-Israel missile exchanges around 2026-06-04 caused oil prices to spike, further increasing naphtha costs and pressuring DCPD producer margins.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Neutral
DCPD fundamentals will see limited directional change this week amid offsetting supply cost pressures and OPEC+ supply increases.
The US International Trade in Goods and Services data releases on 2026-06-09 will provide insight into downstream demand sectors like construction and electronics but will not directly affect DCPD supply-demand balance.
A significant deviation in downstream resin demand within the US trade data could flip the market outlook by signaling stronger or weaker resin consumption than currently expected.
Key Market Impact
The dominant driver of DCPD market dynamics remains naphtha feedstock cost volatility caused by conflicting crude supply-demand signals and geopolitical risks.
Producers respond by adjusting output cautiously to manage margins amid volatile feedstock prices, while buyers hedge demand exposure given uncertain cost pass-through to downstream sectors.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Gradual Decline (2020–2025): Prices steadily declined every month from $120.5 in January 2020 down to $37.0 in December 2025 indicating a continuous weakening market; no specific influence factors recorded in the log for this period.
Phase 2 — Slower Decline (2026): From January 2026 to May 2026, the month-on-month price decreases halve in magnitude, from about -1.0 USD/ton to -0.5 USD/ton, with prices moving from $36.5 to $34.5, signifying a deceleration in the bearish price trend; no documented events in the influence log during this phase.
Supply-side factors
- No recorded supply-side factors or events in the monthly influence data from 2020 through mid-2026.
Demand-side factors
- No recorded demand-side factors or events in the monthly influence data from 2020 through mid-2026.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Maleic Anhydride (MA) | In unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), maleic anhydride is the primary reactive diacid component. DCPD is used to modify UPR by reacting with maleic acid/fumarate units to reduce styrene content and improve hydrolytic resistance. When DCPD-modified UPR is not required, standard MA-based UPR formulations without DCPD modification are used instead. This is a formulation-level substitution requiring resin redesign. |
| Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) | ENB is the primary competing diene termonomer for EPDM rubber production. Both DCPD and ENB serve as the diene component in EPDM, providing unsaturation for sulfur vulcanization. ENB-based EPDM offers faster cure rates and is preferred in many automotive and roofing applications. Substitution is at the polymerization recipe level; DCPD-EPDM and ENB-EPDM are not drop-in interchangeable without reformulation of the vulcanization system. |
| Vinyl Norbornene (VNB) | VNB is another diene termonomer alternative to DCPD in EPDM rubber, offering even higher cure activity than ENB. Used in specialty high-performance EPDM grades for wire and cable insulation. Substitution requires adjustment of catalyst systems and cure package formulations. |
| C9 Aromatic Hydrocarbon Resins | In hydrocarbon resin applications (adhesives, coatings, rubber compounding), C9 aromatic resins derived from the C9 fraction of steam crackers can substitute for DCPD-based aliphatic/cycloaliphatic resins. C9 resins are darker in color and have different compatibility profiles; substitution is feasible in non-color-critical adhesive and rubber applications but requires reformulation to match tack, softening point, and compatibility. |
| C5 Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Resins (from piperylene/isoprene) | C5 aliphatic resins made from piperylene or isoprene fractions compete directly with DCPD-based resins in hot-melt adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and road-marking applications. They offer lighter color and good compatibility with EVA and SIS polymers. Substitution is application-specific and may require adjustment of resin loading and tackifier blend composition. |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD) derivatives / Alternative Flame Retardants | In flame retardant applications, DCPD-based chlorinated flame retardants (e.g., chlorendic anhydride derived from DCPD) can be substituted by alternative halogenated or non-halogenated flame retardants such as TBBPA, aluminum trihydrate (ATH), or organophosphate flame retardants. Substitution is driven by regulatory pressure (RoHS, REACH) and requires reformulation of the polymer matrix to achieve equivalent flame retardancy ratings. |
| Norbornene (NBE) | In ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) applications, norbornene can substitute for DCPD as a monomer to produce polynorbornene or copolymers with different mechanical and thermal properties. DCPD ROMP yields a highly crosslinked thermoset (polyDCPD) used in reaction injection molding (RIM); norbornene-based ROMP gives thermoplastic or lightly crosslinked materials. Substitution changes the product class and requires significant process and formulation changes. |
| Isophorone / Cyclopentanone derivatives | In specialty coatings and ink resins where DCPD-modified alkyds or resins are used for their fast air-drying and hardness properties, isophorone-based or cycloaliphatic polyester resins can serve as alternatives. These offer similar cycloaliphatic ring structures contributing to hardness and UV resistance. Substitution requires reformulation of the resin backbone and is not a drop-in replacement. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | TSCA Inventory Status | EPA | 1976 (active listing) | Listed on TSCA Inventory (CAS 77-73-6) | https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=AC150760100&countryCode=US&language=en |
| US | TSCA 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting | EPA | 2024 (extended 2025) | Reporting of unpublished health and safety studies required for covered chemicals | https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/tsca-8d-health-and-safety-data-reporting-rule-updates |
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | ECHA | 2006 (ongoing registrations) | Substance registration and CLP classification required; no specific numerical threshold for DCPD in Annex XVII | https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.294.977 |
| Global | UN Model Regulations / ADR / IMDG | UNECE (UN) | 2025/2026 | UN No. 2048, Class 3, Packing Group III, Flammable Liquid | https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/3179 |
| Global | OSHA Hazard Communication Standard | OSHA | 2012 (ongoing) | GHS classification for hazard communication and labeling; physical hazards apply (flammability, skin/eye contact) | https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/642 |
| Global | NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards | NIOSH | Ongoing | REL TWA 5 ppm (30 mg/m³) | https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0204.html |
Key Influence Events
Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) is a bicyclic diene hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C10H12 and CAS number 77-73-6. It is the Diels-Alder dimerization product of cyclopentadiene, formed spontaneously when cyclopentadiene is held above approximately 40°C. DCPD exists in two stereoisomeric forms (endo and exo), with the endo isomer predominating in commercial product. It is a colorless to pale yellow solid or liquid (melting point ~33°C) with a characteristic camphor-like odor. Commercially, DCPD is recovered as a co-product from the C5 fraction of naphtha steam cracking operations. It is a versatile chemical intermediate used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), DCPD-based hydrocarbon resins, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, flame retardants, specialty coatings, and as a monomer in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) applications.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Dicyclopentadiene
Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) is a bicyclic diene hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C10H12 and CAS number 77-73-6. It is the Diels-Alder dimerization product of cyclopentadiene, formed spontaneously when cyclopentadiene is held above approximately 40°C. DCPD exists in two stereoisomeric forms (endo and exo), with the endo isomer predominating in commercial product. It is a colorless to pale yellow solid or liquid (melting point ~33°C) with a characteristic camphor-like odor. Commercially, DCPD is recovered as a co-product from the C5 fraction of naphtha steam cracking operations. It is a versatile chemical intermediate used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), DCPD-based hydrocarbon resins, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, flame retardants, specialty coatings, and as a monomer in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) applications.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (DCPD content) | ≥ 95.0 | wt% | Technical / Polymer Grade |
| Purity (DCPD content) | ≥ 99.0 | wt% | High-Purity / ROMP Grade |
| Purity (DCPD content) | 78 – 83 | wt% | Crude / C5 Concentrate Grade |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow solid/liquid | — | All grades |
| Melting Point | 32 – 34 | °C | All grades |
| Boiling Point | 170 – 172 | °C at 1 atm | All grades |
| Density (liquid at 35°C) | 0.976 – 0.980 | g/cm³ | All grades |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Polymer / High-Purity Grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 100 | APHA | Technical Grade |
| Cyclopentadiene (CPD) content | ≤ 0.5 | wt% | Polymer Grade |
| Cyclopentadiene (CPD) content | ≤ 0.1 | wt% | High-Purity Grade |
| Inhibitor (4-tert-butylcatechol) | 50 – 200 | ppm | Stabilized grades |
| Water content | ≤ 200 | ppm | Polymer / High-Purity Grade |
| Sulfur content | ≤ 10 | ppm | High-Purity / ROMP Grade |
| Endo:Exo isomer ratio | ~95:5 to 98:2 | — | Standard commercial product |
| Flash Point (closed cup) | 26 – 32 | °C | All grades |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| ExxonMobil | Spring, Texas, USA | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Chevron Phillips Chemical | Spring, Texas, USA | Sweeny, Texas, USA |
| Shell | The Hague, Netherlands | Geismar, Louisiana, USA, Deer Park, Texas, USA, Moerdijk, Netherlands |
| Dow | Midland, Michigan, USA | Plaquemine, Louisiana, USA |
| NOVA Chemicals | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Geismar, Louisiana, USA |
| Cymetech | Houston, Texas, USA | Calvert City, Kentucky, USA |
| Zeon | Tokyo, Japan | Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan |
| Maruzen Petrochemical | Osaka, Japan | |
| Sinopec | Beijing, China | |
| Braskem | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Kolon Industries | Seoul, South Korea | |
| JSR | Tokyo, Japan | |
| ENEOS | Tokyo, Japan | |
| LG Chem | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Lotte Chemical | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Nanjing Yuangang | Nanjing, Jiangsu, China | |
| Jinhai Chenguang | Ningbo, Zhejiang, China | |
| Henghe | Ningbo, Zhejiang, China | |
| Fushun Yikesi | Fushun, Liaoning, China | |
| Zibo Luhua Hongjin | Zibo, Shandong, China |
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