Published December 2023
Hydroquinone (HQ) is a white crystalline substance used mainly as inhibitors in polymerization as well as to produce antioxidants for food, rubber, plastic, and other industrial antioxidants. HQ is also used in the production of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an advanced engineering material used in aerospace and automotive industries.
Polymerization inhibitors and antioxidants, including p-phenylenediamines and substituted hydroquinones, are the largest applications for hydroquinone. Both applications depend on the production of several monomers (for plastics) and polymers, such as unsaturated polyester resins. Demand for polyetheretherketone PEEK) is expected to grow following the trend toward lightweight material and the need for advanced engineering material. Demand in photographic processing had declined in most regions as the conversion to digital photography continues to expand, but the decline is stop and made the consumption stable.
Asia is the largest hydroquinone market in the world, accounting for more than half of world consumption in 2023. Mainland China is the single-largest consumer of HQ, while the United States is the largest exporter. Europe is the second-largest market for HQ.
Hydroquinone consumption in Asia is expected to grow at 4% per year during the forecast period, led by mainland China and India. Consumption in the rest of the world is expected to experience only slight growth.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of hydroquinone:
The United States, mainland China, India, Japan and Western Europe are the producing regions. Although there are many producers and production facilities in mainland China, production remains low owing to stringent environmental regulations resulting in plant shutdowns. Many facilities in mainland China that used the aniline oxidation process were idled for both environmental compliance and economic reasons. The oxidation of aniline process has higher costs and requires more systems to control waste and emissions.
Three commercial processes are currently used to produce hydroquinone:
- Hydroxylation of phenol
- Hydroxyperoxidation of p-diisopropyl benzene (p-DIPB)
- Oxidation of aniline
Key findings in the hydroquinone market include
- The antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor markets will provide the largest growth potential for HQ during 2023–28.
- Low operating rates are due to producers using the aniline oxidation process, which has higher-cost limitations, and producers using the hydroxylation of phenol process, which have issues with high coproduct (catechol) inventories.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Hydroquinone is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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