News Release: July 29, 2025
Phenanthrene Price, Production, Latest News and Developments in 2025
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Phenanthrene price trend and production News
Phenanthrene Price Trend in Past Five Years and Factors Impacting Price Movements (2019–2024)
The global Phenanthrene price trend has demonstrated considerable variability over the last five years, shaped by a series of market events, supply chain disruptions, raw material fluctuations, and demand changes from key sectors including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. From 2019 to 2024, prices per metric ton ($/MT) moved within a range of $3,200/MT to $5,600/MT.
In 2019, Phenanthrene price hovered around $3,400/MT. The market was relatively stable, with steady production capacities in China and India and moderate export demand. However, in early 2020, the global pandemic led to severe logistic bottlenecks and temporary shutdowns of major production units. This pushed the price upwards to $4,000/MT by Q2 2020 due to raw material scarcity and reduced operating rates in refineries, where Phenanthrene production is typically derived as a byproduct of coal tar distillation.
By 2021, the industry was undergoing recovery. Increased Phenanthrene sales volume in the pharmaceutical sector supported price gains, reaching $4,400/MT by mid-year. Additionally, China’s environmental regulations led to the shutdown of smaller and non-compliant distillation units, tightening the supply chain and supporting a gradual upward trend.
In 2022, the market experienced another jump in pricing, reaching $5,000/MT due to a sharp rise in coal tar feedstock prices, limited inventories, and growing demand for Phenanthrene production in dye intermediates and specialty chemical synthesis. Export demand from Southeast Asia and Europe also increased due to favorable trade agreements and increased application in research and manufacturing.
The year 2023 witnessed significant volatility. Prices spiked to $5,600/MT in Q2 2023, driven by a global shortage of coal-derived aromatic compounds and high demand from pharmaceutical manufacturers. However, by Q4, the price saw a correction and settled near $4,900/MT as new suppliers from Southeast Asia entered the market, improving availability.
Throughout this five-year period, the major influencing factors included changes in coal tar prices, geopolitical disruptions, import-export regulations, and demand from downstream sectors. Furthermore, the pace of industrial recovery post-COVID and the introduction of environmental compliance norms in Asia played key roles in shaping the Phenanthrene price trend.
Phenanthrene Price Trend Quarterly Update in $/MT (Estimated Quarterly Prices for 2025)
- Q1 2025: $4,850/MT – Prices remained steady due to balanced inventory levels and moderate demand from agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Q2 2025: $5,000/MT – A marginal rise observed as raw material costs increased, and production delays were reported in India.
- Q3 2025: $5,150/MT – Prices rose due to rising crude-based input costs and higher Phenanthrene sales volume in Southeast Asia.
- Q4 2025 (Estimated): $5,100/MT – A slight correction is expected as new production capacities are set to commence in China and Vietnam, slightly easing supply tightness.
Global Phenanthrene Import-Export Business Overview
The international trade of Phenanthrene is dominated by a few major players, with China, India, and the United States standing out as the largest producers and exporters. The Phenanthrene sales volume from these nations consistently supports global supply chains, while countries across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America act as major importers. The last few years have witnessed significant changes in trade routes, policy dynamics, and capacity developments which continue to shape global trade patterns.
China leads global Phenanthrene production, leveraging its coal-based chemical industry infrastructure. The country exports significant volumes of Phenanthrene to countries like Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In 2024, Chinese exports exceeded 11,000 MT, accounting for nearly 45% of global export volume. However, export levels were impacted in early 2025 due to temporary shutdowns in key provinces resulting from stricter environmental audits.
India, another significant player, has developed its own export niche, focusing primarily on supplying markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and recent investment into upgrading distillation facilities have helped India increase its Phenanthrene sales volume to 6,500 MT in the first half of 2025. New export contracts were signed with Indonesian and Malaysian pharmaceutical companies in Q2 2025, indicating a positive growth trajectory.
The United States remains a high-potential supplier of refined Phenanthrene, especially to Europe. However, production volumes in the U.S. are still lower compared to Asia due to higher operational costs and limited coal tar refining infrastructure. Nonetheless, in 2024–2025, U.S. exporters increased their shipments by over 12% year-on-year, particularly targeting demand surges in Germany and the Netherlands.
European nations such as Germany and France are large importers of Phenanthrene, mainly using it in high-performance dyes and research applications. However, stringent import compliance and high tariffs sometimes create friction in trade flows. This has led some European firms to seek alternative suppliers in Vietnam and Thailand, who are gradually building capacity.
In terms of challenges, transportation and logistics have emerged as critical concerns for global Phenanthrene traders. The rising cost of shipping containers, port congestion, and international regulations on hazardous chemicals have increased the overall landed cost of imports. These costs directly affect the Phenanthrene price news in various regions, particularly where local production is absent.
On the policy front, several trade agreements in 2025 have redefined access to Phenanthrene in certain geographies. The India-ASEAN agreement, for example, has eliminated certain duties, encouraging increased Phenanthrene sales volume from Indian suppliers. Meanwhile, China’s recent bilateral trade extension with Africa has opened new corridors, with South Africa and Nigeria emerging as growing importers.
In Q2 2025, Japan and South Korea also witnessed a spike in imports due to increased pharmaceutical manufacturing, leading to short-term price fluctuations in the Asia-Pacific market. Importers in these countries have emphasized quality control, further tightening the preferred supplier pool and benefiting certified exporters.
Environmental regulations have also influenced global trade. In April 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) classified certain grades of coal tar-based Phenanthrene as substances of concern, leading to a shift in demand toward higher-purity material. This regulatory change had ripple effects across global supply chains and significantly influenced the Phenanthrene price trend in Europe.
In conclusion, the global import-export dynamics of Phenanthrene in 2025 are characterized by shifting sourcing strategies, regulatory adaptations, and new bilateral agreements. With growing end-use in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, and steady investment in production infrastructure, international trade in Phenanthrene is expected to continue expanding, though cautiously, with a focus on compliance, supply chain resilience, and cost management.
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Phenanthrene Production Trends by Geography
The global production of Phenanthrene is primarily concentrated in regions where coal tar distillation infrastructure and related petrochemical industries are highly developed. As an important intermediate used in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, Phenanthrene’s production trends vary by geography due to raw material availability, technological advancements, industrial policies, and environmental regulations.
Asia-Pacific Region
Asia-Pacific is the largest producer of Phenanthrene, with China and India leading the charge. China, in particular, dominates global Phenanthrene output, benefiting from its extensive coal tar distillation industry and integrated downstream chemical sectors. Over the last five years, China has maintained a consistent increase in production capacity. The government has supported the expansion of coal-based chemical parks, and local manufacturers have improved purification processes to meet international standards.
Despite this, recent environmental crackdowns have forced older coal tar distillation units to shut down, pushing major players to adopt cleaner and more efficient production technologies. This transition, while initially disruptive, has resulted in more stable and higher-quality Phenanthrene production output. China’s western provinces are also witnessing a shift in production hubs as coastal environmental limits tighten.
India ranks second in Asia in Phenanthrene production, driven by domestic pharmaceutical and dye intermediate demand. Indian companies are increasingly investing in refining processes to extract high-purity Phenanthrene and are leveraging their cost-effective labor and manufacturing setups. Production hubs are mainly concentrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Government incentives for petrochemical clusters and export promotion have made India a preferred supplier in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Japan and South Korea produce Phenanthrene at smaller scales, primarily for domestic consumption in pharmaceutical and electronic materials sectors. The focus in these countries is on high-purity and specialty grades, often derived from alternative or synthetic routes rather than coal tar distillation.
North America
The United States is a significant player in Phenanthrene production but lags behind Asia in volume. U.S. production is focused on high-grade Phenanthrene for pharmaceutical and research purposes. With stricter regulations and a declining number of coal tar producers, U.S. manufacturers rely on more advanced processing technologies and controlled purification environments. However, due to the cost-intensive nature of production and environmental compliance requirements, the U.S. often supplements its domestic needs through imports, particularly from Asia.
Canada has limited production capacities, with a few specialty chemical companies producing Phenanthrene as part of broader polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon processing. However, most of the demand in North America is met through imports.
Europe
Europe’s Phenanthrene production is mostly limited to countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. Due to strict environmental laws governing coal tar handling and emissions, many older production units in Europe have either closed or shifted focus to cleaner alternatives. As a result, European companies primarily focus on value-added downstream products using imported Phenanthrene.
Nonetheless, recent innovations in recycling industrial coal tar and thermally treated waste materials have reopened discussions on sustainable local production. Germany continues to explore advanced extraction technologies to remain competitive in the niche high-purity Phenanthrene market.
Middle East and Africa
Phenanthrene production in the Middle East is currently minimal but is expected to grow. Some regional governments are investing in downstream chemical value chains to reduce reliance on imports and enhance local production capacities. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in particular, are exploring the development of integrated coal and petrochemical facilities as part of long-term diversification goals.
Africa has limited to no significant Phenanthrene production. However, South Africa has shown some interest in expanding its coal-based chemical industry. Any meaningful contribution to global production from this region would likely emerge from future investment in infrastructure and partnerships with Asian technology providers.
Latin America
Latin America’s Phenanthrene production is modest and largely restricted to Brazil and Argentina. These countries are trying to scale local chemical manufacturing capacities, and Phenanthrene production is slowly gaining interest due to its use in agrochemical intermediates. Most of the demand in this region, however, is still met via imports.
Conclusion
Globally, Phenanthrene production remains highly concentrated in Asia, particularly China and India, due to favorable industrial ecosystems and access to coal tar feedstock. Other regions, while participating in niche or high-value markets, depend significantly on imports. With environmental sustainability becoming a global focus, the future of Phenanthrene production lies in technological modernization, cleaner processing methods, and enhanced global collaboration.
Phenanthrene Market Segmentation
The Phenanthrene market is segmented across several parameters including application, end-user industry, purity level, and geographical demand.
Key Segments:
- By Application
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agrochemicals
- Dyes and Pigments
- Chemical Research
- Others (e.g., flavor and fragrance intermediates)
- By End-User Industry
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Chemical Manufacturers
- Research Institutions
- Dye and Pigment Producers
- Agriculture Sector
- By Purity Level
- Industrial Grade (90–95%)
- High-Purity Grade (>98%)
- By Geography
- Asia-Pacific
- North America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
- Latin America
Detailed Explanation on Leading Segments
Among the various application segments, pharmaceuticals hold the largest share in the global Phenanthrene market. The compound is a critical precursor in the synthesis of several therapeutic agents, particularly anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs. Its aromatic ring structure allows for further functionalization, making it an attractive molecule in drug discovery. The steady growth of pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in Asia-Pacific, has sustained this segment’s dominance. India and China, with their extensive contract manufacturing ecosystems, represent the largest demand zones for pharmaceutical-grade Phenanthrene.
The agrochemical sector is the second-largest consumer of Phenanthrene. It is used in the synthesis of herbicides and pesticide intermediates, especially in countries where agriculture plays a key role in GDP contribution. Increasing food security concerns, climate-related shifts in pest populations, and rising awareness among farmers in developing nations are pushing demand for new agrochemical formulations, thereby boosting this segment.
The dyes and pigments application is another prominent segment, particularly in countries with textile manufacturing hubs like China, India, and Bangladesh. Phenanthrene derivatives are used in producing vibrant and high-performance colorants used in both natural and synthetic fibers. This segment also supports demand from the automotive and plastics industries, where specialized pigments are needed for high-heat and UV exposure conditions.
Chemical research and laboratory applications form a niche but high-value market for Phenanthrene. It serves as a model compound in organic chemistry, especially in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon studies. Universities, R&D centers, and specialty labs procure small but pure quantities for advanced material and environmental science studies. While small in volume, this segment contributes significantly to high-purity Phenanthrene demand.
From an end-user industry perspective, pharmaceutical companies and agrochemical manufacturers dominate the consumption. They account for more than 60% of the global Phenanthrene sales volume. Chemical manufacturers who use Phenanthrene in multiple downstream processes follow closely. These include companies producing UV stabilizers, synthetic resins, and advanced polymeric compounds.
The purity level segmentation plays a critical role in determining the end-use of Phenanthrene. Industrial grade Phenanthrene, typically ranging from 90% to 95% purity, is widely used in dye manufacturing and bulk chemical production. High-purity grade Phenanthrene, exceeding 98% purity, is essential in pharmaceutical applications and high-end research. This segment commands a price premium and is primarily produced in the United States, Japan, and select Indian facilities equipped with advanced purification technologies.
Geographically, Asia-Pacific dominates due to its production and consumption capacity. As both a manufacturing hub and a large end-user base, the region consumes over 60% of global Phenanthrene annually. North America follows, with its emphasis on research-grade and pharmaceutical applications. Europe, while stringent in regulations, maintains a steady demand in specialty chemical sectors.
In contrast, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa are emerging markets with growing demand driven by agricultural and pharmaceutical expansion. However, due to the lack of local production facilities, these regions are heavily reliant on imports, creating opportunities for exporters in Asia and North America.