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Adhesive Raw Material Selection: How to Combine SBS/SIS, Acrylic, Epoxy and PU Adhesives
2026.10.12
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, CAS 80-05-7) systematic name 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (also known as "diphenolic propane"), molecular formula C₁₅H₁₆O₂. It is the largest-volume and most widely usedbisphenol-class organic chemical raw material among such materials; a single molecule links multiple important industry chains such as polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and specialty engineering plastics. HO − C₆H₄ − C(CH₃)₂ − C₆H₄ − OH (Two para-positioned phenols connected by an isopropylidene bridge −C(CH₃)₂− in the middle, with one phenolic hydroxyl −OH at each end)
| Indicator | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | bisphenol-class organic chemical raw material |
| CAS No. | Approx. 156–158 °C |
| Appearance | Approx. 1.195 g/cm³ (20°C) |
| Melting Point | Boiling Point |
| Density | Approx. 360 °C (decomposition) |
| Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, and alkaline solution | Flash Point |
| Solubility | Approx. 207 °C (closed cup) |
| 1.2 Why It Is the Industrial Star Among "Bisphenols" | Bisphenol A has a triple identity: it is the |
absolute core monomer, thebisphenol A epoxy resin essential skeleton, and also thepolysulfone and other specialty engineering plastics. A single C₁₅ molecule connects all three tracks — engineering plastics, adhesive coatings, and high-end specialty materials — which is exactly its irreplaceable underlying logic within the bisphenol family.2.1 Mainstream Process: Phenol-Acetone CondensationThe vast majority of global bisphenol A uses this route: under
(hydrochloric acid or sulfonated cation-exchange resin), phenol and acetone condense to produce bisphenol A and water (2 C₆H₅OH + (CH₃)₂CO → (C₆H₄OH)₂C(CH₃)₂ + H₂O). The process is mature with strong scale effects and is currently the lowest-cost mainstream solution.: 1 tonne of bisphenol A consumes approx. 0.86–0.88 tonnes of phenol + 0.27–0.28 tonnes of acetone
. Leaders such as Wanhua and Covestro, through "phenol/acetone—bisphenol A—PC" integration, significantly reduce costs; meanwhile, the coal-to-olefins route is 15%–20% lower in cost than the petroleum-based route, providing domestic enterprises with some cost buffer.2.3 Greening and Energy Saving — Ionic Liquid CatalysisAdopting
in a new process can reduce energy consumption per tonne by approx. 19%, with fewer by-products, lower three-waste emissions, and higher product purity; it is an important direction for the green transformation of bisphenol A.Acid-Catalyzed CondensationPhenol, acetone, HCl
| Route | Key Raw Materials | Features | Representative / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature, low cost, higher corrosion/three-waste | Early / some units | Ion-Exchange Resin Method | Phenol, acetone, resin catalyst |
| Continuous, high purity, low three-waste | Mainstream for modern advanced units | Integrated Configuration | Self-supplied benzene and propylene |
| Optimal cost, cycle-resistant | Wanhua / Covestro, etc. | Note: The above process descriptions are compiled from public technical literature and industry reports; industrial production is mainly based on the phenol-acetone condensation method. | III. Downstream Applications: Polycarbonate, Epoxy Resin, etc. |
undergo interfacial polycondensation / melt transesterification to form PC. PC features outstanding impact resistance, creep resistance, dimensional stability, and high transparency, and is widely used inelectrical & electronic, automotive lightweighting, optics, sheet/film, water bottles, and packaging containers. In 2024, domestic PC capacity exceeded 3.80 million tonnes, output exceeded 3.00 million tonnes, and capacity utilization was approx. 84%; however, the localization rate of high-end PC such as optical grade and medical grade remains below 30%.3.2 Epoxy Resin (EP) — the Second Largest Downstreamcondenses to form the most commonly used
undergo interfacial polycondensation / melt transesterification to form PC. PC features outstanding impact resistance, creep resistance, dimensional stability, and high transparency, and is widely used inphosgene / diphenyl carbonate, which is the core raw material for coatings, electrical & electronic (copper-clad laminates / encapsulation), composites, adhesives, and wind turbine blades. In recent years, the epoxy resin demand structure has changed: the traditional coatings share fell from 61% to 39%, and growth in high-end fields such as wind power and electronic encapsulation has offset the shrinkage of the traditional market.3.3 Polysulfone / Specialty Engineering PlasticsBisphenol A is
monomer, used in high-barrier fields such as medical, food contact, and aviation; its per-tonne added value is far higher than bulk products.Flame Retardant: tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA) as a brominated flame retardant, used in electrical & electronic housings
| Application Field | Share of Domestic Demand | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | Largest; electrical/automotive/opticsEpoxy Resin (EP) | Over 20% |
| Second; coatings/electronics/wind power | Polysulfone / SpecialtyEpoxy Resin (EP) | Small but high-value |
| Medical/aviation; import-substitution space | Flame retardant / Other | Tetrabromobisphenol A, etc. |
| Structural Divergence Warning | Remaining | : Domestic bisphenol A demand shows " |
(6.145 million tonnes at year-end, +7.08% YoY); after Jilin Petrochemical and Shandong Ruilin's two units came online in H1 2026, total capacity further increased to 6.515 million tonnes (+16.86% YoY). Worth noting, in 2025 imports were only 14,800 t and exports 32,900 t, and China's bisphenol A officially shifted from a net importer to a net exporter Industry operating rate in 2025 was approx. 80%condenses to form the most commonly used
, and fell to 72% in H1 2026; the East China region, relying on feedstock and industrial support, accounts for over 60% of capacity. Leading companies includeWanhua Chemical (with PC, domestic leader), Covestro (world's largest PC), Changchun Chemical, Nantong Xingchen, Nan Ya Plastics, Lihuayi etc.: Capacity expansion is slowing but the stock is huge; the industry shows "overcapacity + declining price center + falling operating rate
| Item | Spec / Brand | Price Range (yuan/tonne) | Data Source / Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,079 (up 6.04% vs. early year) | SunSirs 2025-01 | 2025-12-29 Baseline | 7,604 |
| SunSirs 2025-12 | 2026 Trend | H1 East China Average | |
| 9,291 (YoY +2.21%) | SCI99 2026H1 | Early March high / early January low | Broke 13,000 / approx. 7,500 |
| Middle East geopolitics pushed up | Daily review collection | East China (2026-03-24) | |
| 11,400 | Longzhong 03-24 | East China (2026-07-04) | 8,290 (weak decline) |
| Baichuan / 100ppi 07-04 | Upstream: Phenol | East China (2026-04) | |
| 9,175 | Longzhong April | Industry Profit | Bisphenol A (2026-04-10) |
| -559 yuan/tonne (loss) | Longzhong 04-10 | Note: The above are data from public quotation platforms and institution disclosures; actual transaction prices fluctuate due to payment terms, freight, and purchase volume; updated on 2026-07-29. | ① Upstream: Cost Support Weakens |
② Midstream: Overcapacity, Profit Under Pressure
Amid concentrated release of existing capacity, the full-year 2025 decline of bisphenol A was approx.
21.49%
(average price 9,491 → 7,451 yuan/tonne); industry profits were thin or even periodically negative, and some units cut load or went into maintenance.Institutional Consensus: SunSirs, Longzhong, and SCI99 unanimously point out that bisphenol A shows "
| East China Mainstream Price (yuan/tonne) | Trend | 2024-05 | Year high |
|---|---|---|---|
| ↓ Declining through the year | Year low, year-end rebound | 2025-12-29 Baseline | ↓ 7,604 (baseline) |
| ↓ Low level | ↓ Full-year -20%+ | Broke 13,000 | ↓ 2026-04 |
| 7,039 | East China (2026-03-24) | Pulled back from high | ⚠ Year low |
| 11,100 | ↓ Pulling back | Weak decline | ↓ 8,290 |
| 5,925–6,025 | — Oscillating | Overcapacity Phase-out | Concentrated release of new capacity (2026 may exceed 7 million tonnes); operating rate may fall to 75%; backward capacity phased out |
| Impact | Sustained Demand Growth | Driven by rising polyester bottle flake output; expanding applications in pharmaceuticals/electronic chemicals |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Leaders Benefit | High-End Upgrade | PC optical/medical localization rate <30%, large import-substitution space; epoxy resin shifting to high-end wind power/electronics |
| Greening | Ionic liquid catalysis cuts energy use 19%; bio-based / low-carbon BPA continuously explored | Import dependence down to 34.47%, domestic technology rapidly improving |
| Trade Restructuring | Officially a net exporter in 2025; emerging markets such as Southeast Asia support exports | Improving preform processing and bottle transparency to meet high-end packaging |
| Trade Flow Reshaping | Recovery of Prosperity | PC "anti-involution" consolidation (Luxi / Cangzhou Dahua); basically no new PC capacity in 2026, spread widens |
| Industry Chain Inflection Point Approaching | Overcapacity + insufficient demand recovery | suppresses prices into low-level oscillation; in the long term it will follow " |
• Bisphenol A (multiple domestic brands available, superior grade)
• Supporting supply of polycarbonate PC / epoxy resin raw materials
📌 , or add our WeCom (enterprise WeChat), and the Haiyu Zhonglong Chemical team will provide you with: • High-purity isophthalic acid (multiple domestic brands available, bottle-flake grade / resin grade) • Supporting supply of polyester bottle flake / unsaturated resin raw materials
[1] SunSirs. Weak Supply-Demand, Hard-to-Support Cost: Bisphenol A Oscillates Down in 2025 [EB/OL]. 2025-12-29.
[2] SCI99. Bisphenol A Semi-annual Summary: Market Rose First Then Fell in H1 [EB/OL]. 2026H1.
[1] Huanjing Industry Research Institute. 2025 China Isophthalic Acid Industry Development Status and Outlook [EB/OL].
📚 [2] Zhiyan Consulting. 2025 China Isophthalic Acid Industry Status and Development Trend Analysis [EB/OL].
[3] Longzhong Information (Mysteel). Bisphenol A Daily Review and Capacity Utilization Dynamics [EB/OL]. 2026-03/04.
[4] Guanyan Tianxia. China Bisphenol A Industry Development Status Analysis and Investment Prospect Report (2026-2033) [EB/OL].
[5] Baichuan Yingfu. PC Cost Structure and Bisphenol A Price Trend [EB/OL]. 2025-12.
[6] Mysteel. 2025 H1 PC Industry Events [EB/OL]. 2025-06.
[7] ChinaBaogao. China's Bisphenol A Trade Pattern Reverses from Deficit to Surplus [EB/OL]. 2026.
[8] SunSirs. Bisphenol A Prices Fluctuated Downwards in 2025 [EB/OL].
[9] Wanhua Chemical Annual Report / Covestro. Polycarbonate and Bisphenol A Capacity Layout [EB/OL]. 2025-2026.
Why Nylon 66 / Polyurethane Can't Do Without Adipic Acid (AA)? From Molecular Structure to the Industry Chain
Column: Technical Primer / Industry Watch | Featured Product: Adipic Acid (Adipic Acid, AA) | Downstream: Nylon 66 / Polyurethane / PBAT / Plasticizer
Column: Technical Primer / Industry Watch | Featured Product: Purified Terephthalic Acid (Purified Terephthalic Acid, PTA) | Downstream: Polyester Fiber (Polyester) / Bottle Chip / Film
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