What is Cyclohexanone
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
34.2%
Neutral
16.5%
Bearish
49.3%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-05-31 to 2026-06-08) — Sentiment: Bearish
By May 31, high domestic operating rates and inventory build in Shandong drove cyclohexanone prices down sharply to 9,150–9,250 RMB/ton, pressuring supplier margins.
Downstream demand deteriorated as end-users curtailed procurement amid unit maintenance and falling operating rates, suppressing volumes and trade activity.
Despite upward pressure on feedstock costs from stronger USD and rising crude oil above $96/bbl on geopolitical tensions, broader macro headwinds and Fed rate hold expectations raised borrowing costs, undermining demand prospects.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-17) — Outlook: Neutral
Cyclohexanone markets face offsetting forces as cost inflation from crude and FX challenges battle weak end-use demand and possible further rate hikes.
The Fed FOMC meeting on June 16-17 (expected) is the key catalyst that will clarify interest rate trajectory and downstream manufacturing cost pressures.
A surprise dovish Fed pivot reducing rates or signaling easier monetary policy could lift downstream orders and prices sharply, reversing bearish momentum.
Key Market Impact
Supply surpluses and weak downstream demand dominate price weakness despite cost inflation in upstream feedstocks.
Traders and producers are likely to defer restocking and exercise caution on new contracts until Fed signals clear direction on rates and demand stabilization.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Stabilization and initial softness (2020–2021): Prices remained relatively stable, with a slight decline to $115.2 per ton in January 2021; no recorded influencing supply or demand events from the influence log during this period.
Phase 2 — Recovery and growth (2021–2023): Prices rose significantly from $115.2/ton in January 2021 to $138.4/ton in January 2023, reflecting market normalization; however, the influence log records no specific factors driving this increase.
Phase 3 — Mild appreciation (2023–2024): Prices continued rising moderately to $142.6/ton by January 2024, with no documented influence events to explain this upward trend.
Phase 4 — Gradual decline (2024–mid 2026): Prices fell from $142.6/ton in January 2024 to $121.5/ton by June 2026, marking a sustained downward trend; the influence log still does not provide documented supply or demand factors linked to this decline.
Supply-side factors
- No documented supply-side factors available from the influence log for the entire period.
Demand-side factors
- No documented demand-side factors available from the influence log for the entire period.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Cyclohexanol | In solvent applications (paints, coatings, adhesives), cyclohexanol can partially replace cyclohexanone where a slightly less aggressive solvency is acceptable. It is often used in blends with cyclohexanone. As a chemical intermediate, cyclohexanol is the direct precursor to cyclohexanone and can substitute in some esterification reactions, though it requires reformulation of the end product. |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK / Butanone) | MEK is a widely used drop-in solvent substitute for cyclohexanone in coatings, lacquers, and adhesives where a faster-evaporating, lower-boiling ketone solvent is acceptable. It is preferred when faster drying times are needed, though it provides lower solvency power for high-molecular-weight resins such as PVC and nitrocellulose compared to cyclohexanone. |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | MIBK substitutes for cyclohexanone as a solvent in surface coatings, vinyl resin formulations, and extraction processes. It offers intermediate evaporation rate and solvency. Substitution is generally straightforward in solvent blends but may require adjustment of blend ratios to match the solvency profile of cyclohexanone. |
| Acetone | Acetone can replace cyclohexanone as a general-purpose ketone solvent in less demanding applications such as cleaning, thinning, and low-viscosity coatings. It is not suitable as a direct substitute where high solvency for heavy resins (PVC, cellulose esters) is required, and its much lower boiling point means significant reformulation is needed. |
| N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) | NMP is used as a substitute for cyclohexanone in high-performance solvent applications such as polymer dissolution, electronics cleaning, and specialty coatings where a high-boiling, strong polar aprotic solvent is needed. It is not a drop-in replacement and requires full reformulation, but is chosen when regulatory pressure on cyclohexanone (VOC, reproductive toxicity classifications) drives substitution. |
| Caprolactam (via alternative routes) | In the context of Nylon-6 production, alternative caprolactam synthesis routes that bypass cyclohexanone (e.g., direct ammoximation of cyclohexanone using titanium silicalite catalysts, or emerging bio-based routes from lysine) can reduce or eliminate cyclohexanone demand as an intermediate, effectively substituting the entire downstream value chain. |
| Isophorone | Isophorone (3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one) substitutes for cyclohexanone as a high-boiling ketone solvent in specialty coatings, printing inks, and leather finishes where a slower evaporation rate and strong solvency for nitrocellulose and epoxy resins are required. It is used as a direct solvent substitute but at higher cost, and requires adjustment of formulation viscosity and drying profiles. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (registration dossier for substance) | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 (registration completed) | Registration number: 01-2119463273-41-0000 (Cyclohexanone); occupational exposure limits apply; DNEL worker inhalation chronic systemic 40 mg/m³ | ECHA substance information page and REACH dossier |
| EU | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (classification and labelling) | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 (latest revision) | Classification: Flammable liquid Category 3; Hazard Statement H226; EU Limit Value IOELV: 10 ppm TWA (40.8 mg/m³); 20 ppm STEL (81.6 mg/m³) | ECHA REACH dossier and safety data sheet |
| US | TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory | US EPA | 2024 (latest public update) | Cyclohexanone (CAS 108-94-1) is an existing chemical substance on the inventory; no additional regulatory controls identified | US EPA TSCA Inventory |
| US | OSHA PEL / NIOSH REL | OSHA / NIOSH | Ongoing (OSHA PEL Table Z-1; NIOSH REL) | OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (200 mg/m³) TWA [skin]; NIOSH REL: 25 ppm (100 mg/m³) TWA [skin]; NIOSH IDLH: 700 ppm | OSHA Chemical Data (http://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/93); NIOSH Pocket Guide |
| US | UN Model Regulations (transport) | US Department of Transportation / IMO | Ongoing | UN number: 1915; Proper shipping name: CYCLOHEXANONE; Class: 3 (Flammable liquid); Packing group: III | UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods |
| China | Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No. 12) | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) | 2020 (effective January 2021) | Cyclohexanone listed in IECSC (existing); no new registration or notification required; no specific emission thresholds for VOCs in dedicated standard | MEE Order No. 12 and IECSC |
| India | Anti-Dumping Investigation | Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties (DGAD) | 2003 | Anti-dumping duties imposed on imports of Cyclohexanone from European Union and Chinese Taipei; duties remain in effect | Government of India DGAD final findings (No.14/17/2003-DGAD) |
Key Influence Events
Cyclohexanone (CAS 108-94-1) is a cyclic ketone with the molecular formula C6H10O, appearing as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic peppermint-like or acetone-like odor. It is an important industrial solvent and chemical intermediate, most notably serving as the primary precursor to caprolactam (the monomer for Nylon-6) and adipic acid (a monomer for Nylon-6,6). It is miscible with most organic solvents and has limited solubility in water. Cyclohexanone is produced commercially mainly by the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane or by the hydrogenation of phenol, and is widely used in the coatings, adhesives, and synthetic fiber industries.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Cyclohexanone
Cyclohexanone (CAS 108-94-1) is a cyclic ketone with the molecular formula C6H10O, appearing as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic peppermint-like or acetone-like odor. It is an important industrial solvent and chemical intermediate, most notably serving as the primary precursor to caprolactam (the monomer for Nylon-6) and adipic acid (a monomer for Nylon-6,6). It is miscible with most organic solvents and has limited solubility in water. Cyclohexanone is produced commercially mainly by the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane or by the hydrogenation of phenol, and is widely used in the coatings, adhesives, and synthetic fiber industries.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Cyclohexanone content) | ≥99.5 | wt% | Industrial / Caprolactam grade |
| Purity (Cyclohexanone content) | ≥99.0 | wt% | Solvent grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤10 | Hazen | Industrial grade |
| Water content (Karl Fischer) | ≤0.05 | wt% | Industrial grade |
| Cyclohexanol content | ≤0.3 | wt% | Caprolactam grade |
| Cyclohexanol content | ≤0.5 | wt% | Solvent grade |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | ≤0.005 | wt% | Industrial grade |
| Boiling point | 155.6 | °C | Physical constant |
| Density at 20°C | 0.947–0.948 | g/cm³ | Physical constant |
| Flash point (closed cup) | 43–44 | °C | Safety specification |
| Refractive index (nD20) | 1.450–1.452 | — | Physical constant |
| Distillation range | 153–158 | °C | Industrial grade |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| BASF SE | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Ludwigshafen, Germany |
| Domo Chemicals | Gent, Belgium | Gent, Belgium, Leuna, Germany |
| Fibrant | Urmond, Netherlands | Urmond, Netherlands, Geleen, Netherlands |
| UBE Industries | Tokyo, Japan | Ube, Japan |
| Sinopec | Beijing, China | Yueyang, Hunan, China |
| Capro Corporation | Ulsan, South Korea | Ulsan, South Korea |
| CPDC | Beijing, China | Rudong, Jiangsu, China |
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