What is Aniline
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
52.4%
Neutral
22.8%
Bearish
24.8%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Mixed
OPEC+ production adjustments confirmed on 7 June 2026 stabilize crude flows but Strait of Hormuz friction keeps naphtha and benzene feedstock costs elevated, squeezing aniline cash margins.
North American MDI tightness persisting into early June 2026, still rationed by lingering CO shortages, pulls aniline offtake firmly from the polyurethane chain that absorbs roughly 85% of demand.
The 7 June 2026 OPEC+ ministerial outcome leaves a bullish oil tape running into a Middle East risk premium, transmitting cost-push pressure into aniline contracts rather than relief.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Bullish
Aniline spot offers should grind higher this week as benzene-linked feedstock costs feed through and MDI buyers chase covered tons.
The EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report on 9 June 2026 is the near-term catalyst, with any further crude run or inventory drawdown reinforcing the benzene cost floor.
A surprise hawkish U.S. EPA emissions release on 10 June 2026 (expected) that lifts compliance costs on downstream polyurethane converters could choke MDI pull and flip the call to bearish.
Key Market Impact
Feedstock cost-push from elevated naphtha and benzene, layered on tight MDI demand, is the dominant force lifting aniline margins and utilization into mid-June 2026.
Producers should hold length and push contract escalators, while MDI buyers and traders need to lock June-July 2026 tons now before the next benzene leg prints.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Stable Base (2020 to mid-2021): Prices were largely flat, holding around $1150/ton, with no recorded influencing events in the log during this period.
Phase 2 — Early Decline (mid-2021): Prices dropped to $1050/ton by July 2021, reflecting limited market pressure although no specific influences were noted in the event log.
Phase 3 — Recovery and Plateau (2022): Prices rebounded to $1150/ton in January 2022 and stayed steady through mid-2022; the event log remains silent on factors, indicating stabilization without major external drivers.
Phase 4 — Moderate Growth (2023 to early 2024): Prices rose to $1200/ton by January 2023 before slipping slightly mid-year, then increased sharply to $1300/ton by July 2024, with no documented supply or demand shocks recorded.
Phase 5 — Recent Volatility (mid-2024 to 2026): Prices peaked at $1320/ton by June 2026 according to spot data, showing moderate fluctuations including a decline to $1250/ton in July 2025, yet no documented external factors are recorded in the influence log for this period.
Supply-side factors
- No recorded supply-side factors or events in the influence log between 2020 and mid-2026.
Demand-side factors
- No recorded demand-side factors or events in the influence log between 2020 and mid-2026.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Toluenediamine (TDA) | In polyurethane production, TDA is reacted with phosgene to produce toluene diisocyanate (TDI), which competes directly with MDI (made from aniline) in flexible foam applications. Formulators can shift between MDI-based and TDI-based polyurethane systems depending on performance requirements and relative economics, though the switch requires reformulation of the foam system. |
| Diphenylamine (DPA) | In rubber antioxidant and antiozonant applications, DPA and its alkylated derivatives (e.g., octylated DPA) can substitute for aniline-derived antidegradants such as 6PPD in certain rubber compounding scenarios, particularly where lower volatility or different oxidation protection profiles are acceptable. Partial substitution in specific rubber compound recipes. |
| Cyclohexylamine | In some rubber accelerator applications (e.g., sulfenamide accelerators), cyclohexylamine-based accelerators (CBS, DCBS) can substitute for aniline-derived accelerators (MBT, MBTS). The substitution is carried out at the accelerator formulation level and requires adjustment of cure kinetics. |
| p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) derivatives | In dye and pigment manufacturing, certain PPD-based intermediates can replace aniline-based azo dye intermediates for specific colorant classes, particularly where higher fastness or different hue profiles are required. Requires reformulation of the dye synthesis route. |
| Phenol | In some specialty resin and adhesive applications where aniline-formaldehyde resins are used, phenol-formaldehyde (phenolic) resins can serve as functional substitutes. Phenol is also the feedstock for the alternative ammonolysis route to aniline itself. As a direct resin substitute, phenolic resins offer similar thermosetting properties but different cure chemistry and mechanical profiles. |
| Hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) | In polyurethane and polyurea coating and elastomer applications, aliphatic diisocyanates derived from HMDA (e.g., HDI) can substitute for MDI (aniline-derived) where superior UV stability and color retention are required. This is not a drop-in replacement; it requires full reformulation and is typically used in high-performance coatings rather than bulk foam. |
| Acetoacetarylide pigment intermediates | In azo pigment manufacture, acetoacetarylide coupling components can partially replace aniline-based diazonium coupling in certain yellow and orange pigment syntheses, offering improved lightfastness. Requires modification of the pigment synthesis protocol. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (Table Z-1) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | 2023 | TWA: 5 ppm (19 mg/m³) [skin] | https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0033.html |
| United States | TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2025 | Active substance (42,578 active chemicals in 86,862 total inventory as of July 2025 update) | https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory/how-access-tsca-inventory |
| United States | TSCA High-Priority Substances | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 2024 | Benzenamine (aniline) designated for risk evaluation under TSCA Section 6 | https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-begins-five-chemical-risk-evaluations-under-toxic-substances-control-act-starts |
| European Union | CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under CLP Regulation | 2008 (Carc. 2 harmonised) | Carcinogen Category 2 (H351: Suspected of causing cancer); Germ cell mutagenicity Category 2 (H341); Acute toxicity Category 3 (H301, H311, H331) | https://www.carlroth.com/medias/SDB-9846-DE-EN.pdf |
| European Union | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 | Registration and evaluation of substances; substances of very high concern (SVHC) status under consideration for aniline | https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals |
| China | Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals (Order No. 591 of the State Council) | Ministry of Emergency Management (former SAWS) | 2015 | Included in Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals; requires production, operation, and transport permits | https://www.chemradar.com/inventory-wiki/cp5dc9xnmbr4 |
| International | ADR/RID/IMDG Dangerous Goods Code | UN Model Regulations / UNECE / IMO | 2025 | UN Number 1547; Class 6.1 (toxic); Packing Group II | https://www.dgg.bam.de/dgginfo/detailinfo/adr/qgwmovmcsjms?lang=en |
Key Influence Events
Aniline (C6H5NH2, also known as phenylamine or aminobenzene) is a primary aromatic amine consisting of a benzene ring with an amino group (-NH2) attached. It is a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a characteristic musty odor, slightly soluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents. Aniline is one of the most commercially important aromatic amines; the vast majority of global production is consumed in the manufacture of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), which is used to produce polyurethane foams and elastomers. It is also a key intermediate for rubber processing chemicals, dyes, pigments, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Aniline is toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion, and is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Aniline
Aniline (C6H5NH2, also known as phenylamine or aminobenzene) is a primary aromatic amine consisting of a benzene ring with an amino group (-NH2) attached. It is a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a characteristic musty odor, slightly soluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents. Aniline is one of the most commercially important aromatic amines; the vast majority of global production is consumed in the manufacture of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), which is used to produce polyurethane foams and elastomers. It is also a key intermediate for rubber processing chemicals, dyes, pigments, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Aniline is toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion, and is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Aniline content) | ≥ 99.5 | wt% | Technical / Industrial Grade |
| Purity (Aniline content) | ≥ 99.9 | wt% | High-Purity / MDI Grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 10 | APHA | MDI Grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Technical Grade |
| Water content | ≤ 0.10 | wt% | Technical Grade |
| Water content | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | MDI Grade |
| Nitrobenzene content | ≤ 5 | mg/kg (ppm) | MDI Grade |
| Nitrobenzene content | ≤ 20 | mg/kg (ppm) | Technical Grade |
| Diphenylamine content | ≤ 10 | mg/kg (ppm) | MDI Grade |
| Boiling point | 184.1 | °C | Physical constant |
| Freezing point | ≥ -6.3 | °C | Physical constant |
| Density at 20°C | 1.021 – 1.023 | g/cm³ | All grades |
| Flash point (closed cup) | 70 | °C | All grades |
| Cyclohexylamine content | ≤ 5 | mg/kg (ppm) | MDI Grade |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, free of suspended matter | — | All grades |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| BASF SE | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Covestro AG | Leverkusen, Germany | Antwerp, Belgium, Leverkusen, Germany |
| Dow Inc. | Midland, Michigan, USA | |
| GNFC | Bharuch, India | Bharuch, Gujarat, India |
| Huntsman Corporation | The Woodlands, Texas, USA | Wilton, UK |
| Jilin Connell Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. | Jilin, China | Jilin, China |
| Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. | Tokyo, Japan | Niihama, Japan |
| Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. | Yantai, China | Yantai, Shandong, China, Fujian, China |
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