Europe Cumene Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The Europe cumene market reached a volume of 15.00 MMT in 2024, accounting for about a fifth of the global cumene market. Europe is one of the leading consumer markets for the product. The market growth and demand for cumene is significantly dependent on the phenol and acetone markets since nearly all of the total volume of cumene is used for the production of acetone and phenol.

Rising Demand for Acetone and Phenol to Propel the Growth of the Cumene Industry in Europe

The rising markets for acetone and phenol in Europe are significantly affecting the demand growth for cumene. The Europe phenol market accounts for more than one-fourth of the global phenol market. It is a major importer of phenol, importing significant volumes from the United States to meet its regional demand, especially from Germany and Netherlands. The region, however, is a major sourcing location for Middle Eastern as well as Asian countries.

The increasing demand for acetone in Europe is also boosting the market for cumene. Europe is the net exporter of acetone, and major exports of the product take place within the region itself. The rising demand from the pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries in Europe is likely to boost the demand for acetone within the region and, thus, increase the demand for cumene as well.

Cumene: Market Segmentation

Cumene is also known as isopropyl benzene, 2-phenylpropane, or 1-methylethyl benzene. It is produced by reacting propylene and benzene together and is a colourless, volatile fluid with a gasoline-like smell. It is a natural part of coal tar and crude oil and can also be used as a gasoline blending component. Cumene is used in the production of other chemicals like phenol, acetone, and acetophenone, as well as methyl styrene. It is also used as a thinner in paints, lacquers, and enamel. It is a component of high-octane motor fuels.

The product finds wide applications in the following:

• Phenol
• Acetone
• Others

By manufacturing process, the market is segmented into:

• Zeolite Catalysts
• Aluminium Chloride Catalyst
• Solid Phosphoric Acid (SPA) Catalyst
• Others

Market Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Growing Demand from the Solvent and Plastic Industries for Cumene’s Downstream Products to Aid the Market Growth in Europe

The cumene market in Europe is majorly being driven by the rising applications of phenol and acetone. Cumene is dominantly used in the production of these two, and the rising demand for acetone and phenol significantly impacts the demand for cumene. Acetone is widely used in various industries as a solvent, whereas the demand for phenol is being aided by the rising plastic industry.

The rising demand for acetone is being supported by the increased production of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and BPA. It also finds wide application in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries. The growing demand for MMA from the construction industry for manufacturing acrylic sheets is, thus, further propelling the cumene market forward in Europe. MMA is also being widely demanded for the production of PMMA, automotive parts, and medical devices. The rising demand for laminates and plastics is also leading to an increased demand for cumene. The demand for benzene is increasing, providing a further impetus to the cumene market in Europe.

The market growth for cumene is also being aided by the rising demand for adhesives and sealants in Europe. The rising demand for high octane production fuels among consumers is also providing an impetus to the market growth. The growing market for paints and coatings in Europe is further propelling the market growth.

Key Industry Players in the Europe Cumene Market

July 2019-INEOS Phenol, one of the leading producers globally, announced that it is planning to build a large and the state of art cumene unit in Germany. This unit is expected to be completed in the year 2021. This production plant would help optimise the resources better and would eventually result in the expansion of output levels.

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the Europe cumene market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:

• Petrochemicals Europe
• Domo Chemicals GmbH
• Royal Dutch Shell Plc
• Borealis AG
• Cepsa
• Others

The comprehensive report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis.