What is Benzyl Alcohol
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
38.6%
Neutral
28.2%
Bearish
33.2%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Neutral
China Benzyl Alcohol spot prices held steady at 12,500.00 USD/ton from 2026-06-05 through 2026-06-07, indicating balanced inventory and stable supply conditions.
Demand in China showed no volatility as prices remained unchanged, reflecting consistent consumption patterns without upward pressure on the market.
There were no major geopolitical or macroeconomic developments directly affecting Benzyl Alcohol fundamentals during this period.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Mixed
Benzyl Alcohol pricing is set to face directional risk from upcoming Eurozone monetary policy decisions on 2026-06-10 and 2026-06-11, which could affect production costs via interest rates and FX movements.
The ECB Governing Council meeting is the pivotal catalyst this week, with potential rate or currency shifts influencing Benzyl Alcohol’s global cost structure and pricing sensitivity (expected).
An unexpected dovish turn or FX stabilization would counter bearish cost pressures and support prices, flipping the outlook.
Key Market Impact
Current Benzyl Alcohol prices primarily reflect stable supply and demand fundamentals with no acute shortages or surpluses keeping margins neutral.
Participants are likely to maintain existing positions in the short term while closely monitoring ECB policy outcomes for cost and pricing guidance.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Gradual Decline (2020–2022): Prices steadily fell from $2000/ton in January 2020 to $250/ton by December 2022; no documented influence factors recorded in the log.
Phase 2 — Accelerated Drop (2023–2024): The price continued its sharp decline from $200/ton in January 2023 to $40/ton in June 2024; no influence events noted in the log during this period.
Phase 3 — Terminal Decline (Mid 2024–2026): Prices tapered down further reaching $3/ton by early June 2026; only the June 2026 price has a source noted as "ICIS Spot Assessment", with no influence factors documented throughout.
Supply-side factors
- No supply-side factors reported in the influence log for the entire period
Demand-side factors
- No demand-side factors reported in the influence log for the entire period
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) | Used as a drop-in or partial replacement for benzyl alcohol as a solvent in pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and surface coatings where its lower viscosity and higher volatility are acceptable. In injectable preservative applications, ethanol can substitute at adjusted concentrations, though it lacks benzyl alcohol's specific antimicrobial profile against certain organisms. Widely preferred where residual aromatic solvent limits apply. |
| Isopropanol (IPA) | Substitutes benzyl alcohol as a general-purpose solvent in inks, cleaning agents, and personal care products. It is a drop-in replacement in many solvent blends where the aromatic character of benzyl alcohol is not required. Not suitable for injectable pharmaceutical use due to toxicity profile differences. |
| Benzaldehyde | Replaces benzyl alcohol as a fragrance ingredient and flavoring agent in applications requiring an almond-like aromatic note. Used in perfumery and food flavoring as a partial substitute; however, it is an aldehyde rather than an alcohol, so it is not interchangeable in ester-forming reactions or as a preservative. Requires reformulation of fragrance blends. |
| 2-Phenylethanol (Phenethyl Alcohol) | Substitutes benzyl alcohol in fragrance and cosmetic formulations, particularly as a preservative booster and antimicrobial agent in leave-on and rinse-off personal care products. It offers a rose-like odor profile versus benzyl alcohol's mild floral note, so substitution requires sensory re-evaluation. Increasingly preferred in cosmetics due to a more favorable regulatory perception in some markets. |
| Propylene Glycol | Used as a co-solvent and preservative substitute for benzyl alcohol in topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. It is a drop-in replacement in many water-based systems where benzyl alcohol serves primarily as a preservative or solubilizer, though it lacks the same antimicrobial potency and requires higher use levels. Not suitable as a fragrance ingredient. |
| Dibutyl Phthalate / TXIB (non-phthalate plasticizers) | In certain lacquer and coating formulations where benzyl alcohol acts as a reactive diluent or coalescing solvent for nitrocellulose or epoxy systems, non-phthalate plasticizers or glycol ether solvents (e.g., propylene glycol n-butyl ether) can substitute. Requires reformulation to match viscosity, drying time, and film properties. |
| Linalool | Substitutes benzyl alcohol in fragrance compositions and cosmetic preservative systems, particularly in natural or 'clean beauty' formulations. It provides a floral-lavender note and mild antimicrobial activity. Substitution is partial and requires fragrance reformulation; it is not interchangeable in pharmaceutical or industrial solvent applications. |
| Benzyl Benzoate | In pharmaceutical topical applications (e.g., scabicide treatments) and as a fixative in perfumery, benzyl benzoate can partially substitute benzyl alcohol. It is itself a benzyl alcohol ester, so in some ester-forming downstream processes benzyl alcohol cannot be replaced by benzyl benzoate without process changes. Used as a drop-in fixative in fragrance blends at adjusted levels. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) | 1907/2006 (ongoing) | Registered under REACH; no specific restriction or ban; included in Union list of authorised substances for food use | ECHA (https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.002.600); EFSA re-evaluation |
| European Union | Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products | European Commission | 1223/2009 (latest amendments up to 2025) | Permitted as preservative and fragrance ingredient; no concentration limit for use in cosmetics; allergen labelling required if above 0.01% in leave-on products | European Commission CosIng database; Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 |
| European Union | Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products | European Commission | 1223/2009 (latest amendments up to 2025) | As fragrance ingredient: Category 4 (e.g. body lotion) max 2.5%; Category 5B (e.g. hair spray) max 0.17%; Category 9 (e.g. hair tonic) max 2.2%; Category 11B (e.g. aftershave) max 0.057% (IFRA standard) | IFRA Standards Amendment 49 (https://ifrafragrance.org/standards-library) |
| European Union | Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products | European Commission | 1223/2009 (latest amendments up to 2025) | For pharmaceuticals/excipients: used as solvent and preservative; no specific concentration limit but permitted in medicinal products | EMA Q&A on benzyl alcohol as excipient; CosIng database |
| European Union | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/362 | European Commission | 2026/362 (17 February 2026) | Imports of benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6, CN 29062100) originating in People's Republic of China subject to registration (valid 9 months) with a view to possible anti-dumping duties | Official Journal of the EU (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/362/oj/eng) |
| United States | 21 CFR 172.515 | US FDA | 172.515 (current) | GRAS food additive; permitted as flavouring agent and solvent in food; no numerical limit specified | US FDA Food Additive Regulations (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-172.515) |
| United States | 21 CFR 173.310 | US FDA | 173.310 (current) | Approved preservative in injectable drug formulations; concentrations up to 0.9% | US FDA (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-173.310); industry reports citing FDA |
| United States | TSCA Inventory | US EPA | TSCA (1976, active) | Active on TSCA Inventory; no specific restrictions on use as preservative, excipient or solvent | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory) |
| United States | EPA and European Commission VOC regulations | US EPA / European Commission | Ongoing (current) | VOC regulations continue to favour benzyl alcohol over alternative solvents in coatings applications (low volatility, high solvent power) | Expert Market Research price forecast report (2026) |
Key Influence Events
Benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) is an aromatic alcohol with the molecular formula C7H8O, consisting of a benzene ring bearing a hydroxymethyl (-CH2OH) group. It is a colorless, mildly viscous liquid with a faint, pleasant aromatic odor and a boiling point of approximately 205°C. It is slightly soluble in water and miscible with most common organic solvents. Commercially, benzyl alcohol is produced primarily by the alkaline hydrolysis of benzyl chloride, though it also occurs naturally in many essential oils (jasmine, hyacinth, ylang-ylang). It is widely used as a solvent in inks, paints, lacquers, and epoxy resin systems; as a preservative in injectable pharmaceutical formulations; as a fragrance ingredient and fixative in cosmetics and perfumery; and as a chemical intermediate for the manufacture of benzyl esters, benzyl ethers, and other fine chemicals.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) is an aromatic alcohol with the molecular formula C7H8O, consisting of a benzene ring bearing a hydroxymethyl (-CH2OH) group. It is a colorless, mildly viscous liquid with a faint, pleasant aromatic odor and a boiling point of approximately 205°C. It is slightly soluble in water and miscible with most common organic solvents. Commercially, benzyl alcohol is produced primarily by the alkaline hydrolysis of benzyl chloride, though it also occurs naturally in many essential oils (jasmine, hyacinth, ylang-ylang). It is widely used as a solvent in inks, paints, lacquers, and epoxy resin systems; as a preservative in injectable pharmaceutical formulations; as a fragrance ingredient and fixative in cosmetics and perfumery; and as a chemical intermediate for the manufacture of benzyl esters, benzyl ethers, and other fine chemicals.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (GC) | ≥ 99.0 | % w/w | Technical / Industrial |
| Purity (GC) | ≥ 99.8 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical (Ph. Eur. / USP) |
| Purity (GC) | ≥ 99.5 | % w/w | Fragrance / FCC Grade |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid | — | All grades |
| Color (APHA / Hazen) | ≤ 10 | APHA | Pharmaceutical / Fragrance |
| Color (APHA / Hazen) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Technical |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.538 – 1.541 | nD | All grades |
| Specific Gravity (20/20°C) | 1.042 – 1.047 | g/cm³ | All grades |
| Boiling Point (760 mmHg) | 204 – 206 | °C | All grades |
| Water Content (Karl Fischer) | ≤ 0.10 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical / Fragrance |
| Water Content (Karl Fischer) | ≤ 0.20 | % w/w | Technical |
| Acidity (as benzoic acid) | ≤ 0.05 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical |
| Benzaldehyde content | ≤ 0.05 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical / Fragrance |
| Chlorinated compounds (as Cl) | ≤ 0.005 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical |
| Residue on evaporation | ≤ 0.005 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical |
| Flash Point (closed cup) | 93 – 101 | °C | All grades |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Lanxess | Cologne, Germany | Kalama WA, USA, Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, Botlek, Netherlands, Nagda, India |
| Wuhan Youji Holdings Ltd. | Wuhan, Hubei, China | Wuhan Production Plant, Qianjiang Production Plant |
| Vynova Advanced Organics | Maastricht, Netherlands | Maastricht, Netherlands |
| Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited | Vadodara, India | Dahej, India |
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