Naphthalene Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Source (Coal Tar, Petroleum), By Application (Phthalic Anhydride, Naphthalene Sulfonates), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Naphthalene Market Size & Trends

The global naphthalene market size was estimated at USD 1,588.1 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.0% from 2024 to 2030. 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.

There is an increasing demand for products like mothballs, surfactants and pesticides which contain naphthalene. Naphthalene converts directly from a solid to a gas at room temperature, creating fumes that repel moths and other insects thus protecting cloths and fabrics. This has led to a rise in demand for naphthalene.

Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that is produced from coal tar and petroleum. Coal-tar processing: In this process, it is obtained as a by-product of the carbonization of coal. Coal tar is heated in the absence of air to produce coke, coal gas, and coal tar. Then it is distilled to obtain various fractions, including naphthalene. The crude naphthalene is purified by crystallization, distillation, or sublimation to remove impurities.

Petroleum processing is also produced by-product of petroleum refining. Petroleum is distilled to obtain various fractions, including naphtha. The naphtha is then reformulated and cracked at high temperatures and pressures to produce lighter products, such as gasoline and diesel. The residue obtained from this process is known as petroleum coke, which contains naphthalene. The naphthalene is then extracted from petroleum coke by a solvent extraction method.

Once the naphthalene is extracted, it can be further processed to obtain various derivatives or used directly as a raw material for various industrial applications. Naphthalene is widely used in the production of phthalic anhydride, anthraquinone tetracarboxylic acid, and other chemical intermediates.

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.

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 alternate solution for production of naphthalene rather than the traditional method boosting the circular economy and sustainable environment awareness.

Source Insights

Based on source, the coal tar segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 62.80% in 2023. The growing demand for coal tar naphthalene from the textile industry for producing dyes and pigments is expected to boost market growth. Other factors include the demand for coal tar naphthalene as a solvent in various industrial processes and the increasing use of this chemical in producing asphalt additives.

The petroleum-based naphthalene is a chemical compound commonly used in the production of mothballs and the manufacture of certain types of resins and dyes. The market's growth is attributed to increasing demand for mothballs, which protect clothing and other fabrics from damage by moths and other insects. In addition, naphthalene is widely used in the production of resins and dyes, which are used in various industries such as textiles and plastics.

Application Insights

Based on application, the phthalic anhydride segment dominated the global market in terms of revenue share in 2023. The growth is attributed to the increased demand for phthalic anhydride in the major application of naphthalene widely used in production. The world demand for phthalic anhydride is in millions of tons every year. It is further used in producing dyes, resins, insect repellents, and plasticizers as an intermediate. It is considered one of the most vital industrial chemicals used in the extensive production of plastic plasticizers. There has also been an increase in demand for polyester resin production. Thus, the high demand for phthalic anhydride is boosting the demand for naphthalene.

Naphthalene sulfonates are a chemical compound commonly used in various industrial and personal care products. One of their most common uses is to produce naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde (NSF), which is used in polymer-concrete admixtures to improve the properties of concrete. NSF helps to neutralize the surface charge on cement particles, which makes it easier to mix and work with. In addition, naphthalene sulfonates are used to produce surfactants used in personal care products like shampoos, automatic dishwashing detergents, and industrial detergents. They are also a common ingredient in water-based cleansers.

Regional Insights

The naphthalene market in North America accounted for a significant market share in terms of revenue in 2023. This is attributed to the rising use of naphthalene in the construction industry and increasing use of pesticides. This has led to market growth in North America.

U.S. Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in U.S. 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.

Asia Pacific Naphthalene Market Trends

Asia Pacific dominated the market with a revenue share of 67.50% in 2023 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 textile industry in the world and this also led to a rise in demand for naphthalene which is used in textiles as dyes and surfactants.

The naphthalene market in China dominates the Asia Pacific market with a revenue share of 52.40% in 2023. The China market is growing owing to attributes such as rising demand for mothballs and production of phthalic anhydride and synthetic resins.

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 increase usage of naphthalene in the manufacturing of insecticides, particularly due to extensive agricultural land contributes to market growth.

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

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

Central & South America Naphthalene Market Trends

The naphthalene market in Central & South 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 has a diverse range of industries including chemicals, construction, textile and pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals leading to a rise in demand for market growth.

The Brazil naphthalene market is expected to dominate the Central & South America region. This growth is attributed to the rising agricultural sector in the country. This has led to rising demand for pesticides which uses 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 Middle East & Africa 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 growth of construction and growing infrastructure in the region has led to rise in demand for naphthalene in the region.

The Saudi Arabia naphthalene market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period, due to rise in construction sector in the region, the country has been undertaking extensive infrastructure development projects will lead to 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, 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 aluminium, steel, titanium dioxide, coatings, plastics, concrete, and tyres. 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., 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

Recent Developments

• In November 2022, Sulzer Chemtech Ltd. will provide process engineering and necessary equipment to Dong-Suh Company in Indonesia to facilitate the growth of the naphthalene downstream industry. With the installation of a state-of-the-art separation unit at the Dong-Suh plant in Serang, Indonesia, it will become easier to produce highly pure naphthalene

• In September 2022, Epsilon Carbon announced plans to invest around USD 67 million in Karnataka to increase its carbon black production capacity from 115,000 to 215,000 tons annually. The carbon black feedstock used by Epsilon Carbon contains naphthalene, which can be used to produce phthalic anhydrides, pesticides, and concrete plasticizers

Naphthalene Market Report Scope

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 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the naphthalene market report based on source, application and region.

• Source Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Coal Tar

  • Petroleum

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Phthalic Anhydride

  • Naphthalene Sulfonates

  • Low-Volatility Solvents

  • Moth Repellent

  • Pesticides

  • Other Applications

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa