China phenol output growth outpaces capacity in H1

China phenol output outpaced capacity growth in H1 2026, with production up 10.4% YoY to 2.95 mln tonnes versus 6.42% capacity expansion, per OilChem. Maintenance losses fell 17.7% YoY, while full utilisation of new H2 2025 units boosted supply. One 250,000 t/y unit may start late-2026 but near-term impact is limited. Watch July peak maintenance and operating rates amid industry losses.

China's phenol production rose 10.40% year-on-year to 2.95 million tonnes in H1 2026, outpacing capacity growth of 6.42%, according to OilChem's data. Capacity stood at 6.96 million tonnes/year at end-June, down from end-2025 due to retirements but up 420,000 t/y from a year earlier. Shandong Ruilin Macromolecule Material 's