Cyclohexanone Market - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

The cyclohexanone market is expected to show steady growth in the forecasted timeframe.

The cyclohexanone market plays a crucial role in the chemical industry. This is because it is used as a key intermediate in the production of caprolactam.  Caprolactam is the precursor to nylon 6. Nylon 6 is widely used across various industries, including textiles and engineering plastics. This makes cyclohexanone a vital chemical which is used for manufacturing high-demand consumer and industrial products.

China is considered to be one of the largest producers and consumers because of its massive caprolactam and nylon 6 production capacity. The increasing global demand for nylon products, especially in emerging economies, drives this market’s growth. Additional applications for cyclohexanone include solvents for paints and coatings, which further support the market’s growth. This market also faces challenges such as raw material price volatility. To overcome these challenges, companies need to increase their investment in this market.

Cyclohexanone Market Overview & Scope

The cyclohexanone market is segmented by:

• Product Type: The market is composed of solvents, adhesives, adipic acid, caprolactam, and other. Cyclohexanone is widely used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and degreasers. It is used as a key ingredient in industrial adhesives and bonding agents. It also serves as an intermediate in the production of adipic acid for nylon 6,6. It is a primary raw material for synthesising caprolactam, used in nylon 6 production.
• Grade: The market has industrial solvent grade and reagent grade. Industrial-grade cyclohexanone is used in large-scale manufacturing processes like nylon and solvent production. Reagent is a high-purity grade used in laboratories and analytical applications for research and testing purposes.
• End User: The market comprises paints & coatings, construction, pulp & paper, agriculture, and others. Cyclohexanone is used as a solvent in formulations for industrial and decorative paints. It also supports the production of adhesives, resins, and coatings for building materials. It is utilised in chemical processing and the treatment of paper products. It also acts as an intermediate in agrochemical and pesticide manufacturing.
• Region: Geographically, the market is growing depending on the location. For example, North America’s growth is driven by demand for nylon in the automotive and packaging sectors. Europe’s expansion is supported by advanced chemical manufacturing and sustainability initiatives. Asia Pacific dominates the global market due to strong caprolactam and nylon production. South America is experiencing moderate growth fueled by rising industrial and textile applications. The Middle East & Africa have an emerging market with increasing investments in chemicals and manufacturing

Top Trends Shaping the Cyclohexanone Market

1. Fluctuating Price Dynamics:

•  The cyclohexanone prices exhibited volatility in the past few years.  The prices dipped due to reduced seasonal demand and ample inventories. However, later in the year, increased industrial activity and rising feedstock costs led to price surges.

2. Technological Advancements:

• Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving production efficiencies and exploring alternative feedstocks, aiming to reduce costs and environmental impact.

3. Growing Adoption of Bio?Based and Sustainable Production Methods:

• Manufacturers are increasingly investing in closed-loop systems, plant-based feedstocks, and catalytic improvements to reduce emissions and energy use, positioning bio-based cyclohexanone as a viable alternative to petroleum-derived variants

Cyclohexanone Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges

Drivers:

• Rising Demand for Nylon 6: One of the key drivers of this market is the rising demand for nylon 6. Cyclohexanone is a key precursor in producing caprolactam, which is essential for manufacturing nylon 6. The increasing demand for nylon in the textiles, automotive, and consumer goods sectors is significantly driving the cyclohexanone market. In August 2024, INVISTA Nylon Chemicals (China) Co. completed the expansion of its nylon 6,6 polymer production facility at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP). The total investment of 1.75 billion RMB (approximately 240 million USD) enabled the project to successfully double the site's annual production capacity to 400,000 tons.
• Growth in Automotive and Textile Industries: Another key driver of the cyclohexanone market is the growing demand in the automotive and textile industries. The expansion of these industries is boosting the need for nylon-based materials, such as engineering plastics and fibres, which in turn increases the demand for cyclohexanone. According to PIB, India’s automotive industry serves as a cornerstone of the nation’s manufacturing and economic development, contributing 7.1% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounting for 49% of the manufacturing GDP.

Challenges:

• Volatile Pricing: One major challenge facing the cyclohexanone market is the volatility in raw material prices, particularly phenol and benzene, which are key inputs in cyclohexanone production. Fluctuations in crude oil prices and supply chain disruptions can significantly impact production costs, reducing profit margins for manufacturers. Additionally, regional dependence on imports, especially in countries like India and Japan, exposes the market to global price shocks and logistics delays. This instability makes long-term planning difficult for downstream users like caprolactam and nylon producers, hindering consistent growth and investment in the sector.

Cyclohexanone Market Regional Analysis

• China: China dominates the global Cyclohexanone market, holding the largest regional share, primarily driven by its massive chemical manufacturing capacity and strong downstream activity for nylon intermediates like caprolactam and adipic acid.
• India: India stands as the second-leading country in the Cyclohexanone market within the Asia-Pacific region. Rapid industrial growth, expanding demand for chemicals in textiles, automotive, and agrochemical sectors—particularly for nylon production—fuel India's market prominence.
• US: The United States is a major producer and consumer of cyclohexanone, backed by a well-established chemical industry and strong demand for nylon intermediates in automotive, construction, and consumer goods. U.S.-based companies play a key role in global supply chains, particularly in high-purity applications and specialty chemicals. Robust R&D and regulatory standards also contribute to sustained market activity.

Cyclohexanone Market Competitive Landscape

The cyclohexanone market is competitive, with a mix of established players such as BASF SE, Domo Chemicals, UBE Corporation, Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC), Highsun Group, Sinochem Group, Qingdao Hisea Chem Co., Ltd., Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corporation (TPCC), Group DF, Merck KGaA, and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, among others.

• Collaboration: In November 2024, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. and HighChem Co., Ltd. signed an agreement under which Sumitomo Chemical will transfer to HighChem its intellectual property related to caprolactam manufacturing technology, specifically using the vapour-phase Beckmann rearrangement process. The technology involves a process for manufacturing caprolactam, the key raw material for nylon 6, by using cyclohexanone oxime through the vapour-phase Beckmann rearrangement method.

Cyclohexanone Market Segmentation:
By Application

• Adipic Acid
• Caprolactum
• Other

By Grade

• Industrial Solvent Grade
• Reagent Grade

By End User

• Paints & Coatings
• Construction
• Textile
• Electrical and Electronics
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Others
• Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • Others

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE 

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities 

3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations 

3.7. Strategic Recommendations 

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK 

5. CYCLOHEXANONE MARKET BY APPLICATION

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Adipic Acid

5.3. Caprolactum

5.4. Other

6. CYCLOHEXANONE MARKET BY GRADE

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Industrial Solvent Grade

6.3. Reagent Grade

7.  CYCLOHEXANONE MARKET BY END-USER

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Paints & Coatings

7.3. Construction

7.4. Textile

7.5. Electronics

7.6. Others

8.  CYCLOHEXANONE MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. USA

8.2.2. Canada

8.2.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. Brazil 

8.3.2. Argentina

8.3.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. United Kingdom

8.4.2. Germany

8.4.3. France

8.4.4. Italy

8.4.5. Spain

8.4.6. Others

8.5. Middle East & Africa

8.5.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.2. UAE

8.5.3. Others

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. China

8.6.2. India

8.6.3. Japan

8.6.4. South Korea

8.6.5. Thailand

8.6.6. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. BASF SE

10.2. Domo Chemicals

10.3. UBE Corporation

10.4. Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)

10.5. Highsun Group

10.6. Sinochem Group

10.7. Qingdao Hisea Chem Co., Ltd.

10.8. Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corporation (TPCC)

10.9. Group DF

10.10. Merck KGaA

10.11. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

11. APPENDIX

11.1. Currency 

11.2. Assumptions

11.3. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

11.4. Key benefits for the stakeholders

11.5. Research Methodology 

11.6. Abbreviations 

BASF SE

Domo Chemicals

UBE Corporation

Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)

Highsun Group

Sinochem Group

Qingdao Hisea Chem Co., Ltd.

Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corporation (TPCC)

Group DF

Merck KGaA

 

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC