Naphthalene Market (2026 - 2033)

Naphthalene Market Summary

The global naphthalene market size was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 1.8 billion in 2026 to USD 2.3 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific dominated the market, accounting for the largest revenue share of 63.5% in 2025. The market is experiencing increasing demand due to its growing use in the construction industry as a plasticizer in various concrete admixtures, specifically naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde.

Source: Grand View Research, IR Documents, Primary Interviews, Paid Databases

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Market Dynamics

The market is experiencing stable growth, supported by increasing demand from the construction, chemicals, agrochemicals, and textile industries. Naphthalene is widely used as a feedstock for the production of phthalic anhydride, naphthalene sulfonates, dyes, pigments, and insect repellents. Rising infrastructure development, growing consumption of concrete admixtures, and expanding industrial manufacturing activities are contributing to market expansion. In addition, ongoing investments in chemical production and demand for high-performance construction materials are supporting the long-term market growth.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market is fragmented with the presence of a number of manufacturers. Multinational corporations in the market have established a global supply chain through in-house supply channels or third-party distributors. For instance, companies such as ExxonMobil, Epsilon Carbon Private Limited, and Rain Carbon Inc. have appointed third-party distributors to supply their products in the global market.

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Given the competitive nature of the market, continuous research and development efforts are necessary for companies to stay ahead. The rising demand for naphthalene as a raw material in various industries such as chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and construction. Companies can find a sustainable and alternative solution for the production of naphthalene rather than the traditional method, boosting the circular economy and sustainable environment awareness.

Analyst Perspective

The global naphthalene market is expected to remain centered on technical, refined, and pure naphthalene grades, with demand differentiated by purity requirements across downstream applications. Phthalic anhydride, naphthalene sulfonic acid, sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde, and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates represent key consumption areas, while hydrogenated naphthalene, alkylated naphthalene, and naphthol serve specialty chemical requirements. Pure and refined grades are gaining relevance where downstream processes require tighter impurity control and consistent performance. Moth balls and applications such as carbaryl and naphthylamines remain comparatively smaller-volume outlets.

Product Insights

Refined naphthalene dominated the global market, accounting for 59.9% of the total revenue share in 2025. The segment's leadership is attributed to its widespread use in the production of phthalic anhydride, naphthalene sulfonates, dyes, pigments, and specialty chemical intermediates. Its higher purity compared to technical-grade naphthalene makes it suitable for applications requiring consistent performance and product quality. Growing demand from the construction, textiles, plastics, and chemical industries, particularly for concrete admixtures, resins, and industrial dispersants, continues to drive the consumption of refined naphthalene globally.

Pure naphthalene is expected to register steady growth during the forecast period, driven by its high purity and suitability for specialty chemical applications. Pure naphthalene is extensively utilized in the production of high-value chemical intermediates, pharmaceutical ingredients, laboratory reagents, and advanced specialty formulations where stringent quality standards are required. Growing investments in specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance materials, coupled with increasing demand for premium-grade raw materials with consistent composition, are expected to support the expansion of the pure naphthalene segment over the coming years.

Application Insights

Phthalic anhydride dominated the market, accounting for 57.6% of the total revenue share in 2025. The segment's dominance is driven by the extensive use of phthalic anhydride in the production of plasticizers, alkyd resins, unsaturated polyester resins, and coatings used across the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. Rising demand for flexible plastics, paints, adhesives, and composite materials, particularly in emerging economies, continues to support the consumption of naphthalene as a key feedstock for phthalic anhydride production.

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Naphthalene sulfonic acid is expected to register the fastest growth of CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. The growth is primarily attributed to its increasing use in the manufacture of superplasticizers and concrete admixtures, which enhance the workability and strength of concrete in infrastructure and commercial construction projects. In addition, expanding applications in dye intermediates, dispersing agents, and specialty chemical formulations, along with rising investments in infrastructure development, are expected to accelerate demand for naphthalene sulfonic acid over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market with a revenue share of 63.5% in 2025 and maintains a dominating position in the global market. This growth is attributed to factors such as infrastructure development and increasing consumer demand. Asia Pacific is also the hub for the textile industry in the world, and this has also led to a rise in demand for naphthalene, which is used in textiles as dyes and surfactants.

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China Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in China dominated the Asia Pacific market with a revenue share of 61.5% in 2025. The Chinese market is growing owing to attributes such as rising demand for mothballs and production of phthalic anhydride and synthetic resins.

North America Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in North America accounted for a significant market share in terms of revenue in 2025. This is attributed to the rising use of naphthalene in the construction industry and the increasing use of pesticides. This has led to market growth in North America.

The U.S. naphthalene market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, which is attributed to rising demand from applications such as naphthalene sulfonate, low-volatility solvents, pesticides, and moth repellents.

Europe Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in Europe is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the increased usage of naphthalene in the manufacturing of insecticides, particularly due to the extensive agricultural land, which contributes to market growth.

Germany naphthalene market is dominating in Europe. This is because rising investment and improving infrastructure in the country have led to market growth.

The naphthalene market in the UK is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to a rise in demand for moth repellents, pesticides, and naphthalene sulfonates, which have various applications, leading to a rise in demand for market growth.

Latin America Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in Latin America is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to an increase in infrastructure and production facilities in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and other countries. Central and South America have a diverse range of industries, including chemicals, construction, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, leading to a rise in demand for market growth.

Brazil naphthalene market is expected to dominate the Latin America region. This growth is attributed to the rising agricultural sector in the country. This has led to rising demand for pesticides, which use naphthalene as one of the raw materials, leading to a rise in demand for market growth in the country.

Middle East & Africa Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in MEA is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The growing demand for naphthalene sulfonate in the region is driven by factors such as the growth of construction and growing infrastructure, which has led to a rise in demand for naphthalene in the region.

Saudi Arabia naphthalene market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period, due to the rise in the construction sector in the region. The country has been undertaking extensive infrastructure development projects, which will lead to a rise in demand for market growth.

Key Naphthalene Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Rain Carbon Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, and Epsilon Carbon Private Limited, among others.

• ExxonMobil is a multinational oil and gas company that produces crude oil, oil products, natural gas, petrochemicals, and power.

• Rain Carbon Inc. is a producer of raw materials that are used worldwide in the manufacturing of carbon products and advanced materials. Its products are essential for producing aluminum, steel, titanium dioxide, coatings, plastics, concrete, and tires. The company makes calcined petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, and raw materials for various industrial processes and products. Its carbon black oils are used as feedstocks, which are converted by end users into carbon black for a wide variety of uses, such as pigments in plastics, rubber, and print toners.

CARBOTEX, JFE Chemical Corporation, and Koppers Inc., among others, are some of the emerging market participants in the global market.

• Epsilon Carbon Private Limited is a company that produces chemicals. Their products, such as aluminum, graphite, tire manufacturing, and infrastructure, are used in various sectors in India. One of their products is hard carbon black, used in producing tire treads and mechanical rubber goods.

• Koppers Holdings Inc. is a global company that provides products and services for several industries. Koppers also develops and provides chemicals that are essential to the operation and success of manufacturers. They repurpose waste generated from other industries into critical components that support the production of rubber products, plastics, resins, treated wood, and steel.

Key Naphthalene Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the naphthalene market.

• Rain Carbon Inc.

• ExxonMobil Corporation

• Epsilon Carbon Private Limited

• CARBOTECH

• DEZA a.s.

• JFE Chemical Corporation

• Koppers Inc.

• PCC Rokita SA

• Gautam Zen International

• Dong-Suh Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd.

• TULSTAR PRODUCTS INC.

• Quimica del Nalon S.A.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, ExxonMobil announced the completion of buying naphtha shipments for its newly launched petrochemical site in southern China, as the U.S. prepares for the formal startup of the USD 10 billion plant. The new facility is expected to have a positive impact on petrochemical feedstock and enhance Asian naphtha refining margins in the near term, primarily because reduced Russian supplies already support them.

Global Naphthalene Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global naphthalene market report based on product, application, and region:

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• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Technical Naphthalene

  • Refined Naphthalene

  • Pure Naphthalene

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Phthalic Anhydride

  • Hydrogenated Naphthalene (Tetralin, Decalin)

  • Alkylated Naphthalene

  • Moth Balls

  • Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid

  • Naphthol

  • Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonates

  • Sulphonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde

  • Others (carbaryl, naphthylamines, etc.)

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

Research Methodology

The naphthalene market figures in this report are based on a proven research process that combines executive interviews with secondary research from proprietary databases, company filings, and recognized regulatory and institutional sources. Market size is built through value-chain sizing-reconciling supply-side and demand-side estimates-and triangulated with bottom-up and top-down approaches. Every estimate passes multiple levels of expert validation before publication, with each naphthalene segment quantified using the revenue-capture definitions in the table below.

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