m-Cresol Price — China Factory EXW 2026

m-Cresol price Spec: China national standards

China EXW, VAT excluded

Newest China EXW USD 4,283.19 / MT · VAT excluded unchanged as of 20210322

Newest Price 4,283.19

Price Date 20210322

Day's Change 0

Day's Range 4,283.19 - 4,283.19

Month's Change -53.1

Month's Range 4,283.19 - 4,230.09

Year's Change +858.41

Year's Range 4,283.19 - 3,424.78

The anti-dumping measures have clearly reshaped the competitive landscape, but buyers should watch the quality gap. Coal-tar-derived m-cresol, which dominates domestic output, ofte...

Also known as 1-hydroxy-3-methylbenzene, 3-Cresol, 3-Hydroxytoluene, 3-methyl-Phenol

Opinions

What is driving China's m-cresol price surge and import substitution trend?

The anti-dumping measures have clearly reshaped the competitive landscape, but buyers should watch the quality gap. Coal-tar-derived m-cresol, which dominates domestic output, often fails food and pharmaceutical specs. Synthetic routes from toluene chlorination or cymene oxidation are needed for high-end VE and fragrance applications, so import dependency may persist despite capacity additions.

What are the key production routes and purity requirements for m-cresol in China?

Purity is the hidden battleground. Coal-tar-derived m-cresol may meet 95% spec but often fails on trace isomers like o- and p-cresol, which poison catalysts in downstream VE synthesis. As domestic synthetic capacity grows, expect a two-tier market: high-purity synthetic material staying firm on anti-dumping protection, while lower-grade extraction product faces pressure from new entrants.

How does the m-cresol-to-menthol value chain reshape China's flavor and fragrance market?

Investors often overlook that the citral route used by NHU and Wanhua bypasses m-cresol entirely, creating two parallel supply chains. For m-cresol producers, the real growth anchor remains vitamin E, not menthol. Watch DSM and Zhejiang Medicine's production plans, as they are the largest consumers of m-cresol-based TMHQ and will determine whether domestic capacity additions lead to oversupply.

m-Cresol price context

What drives m-Cresol prices

What is driving China's m-cresol price surge and import substitution trend?: The anti-dumping measures have clearly reshaped the competitive landscape, but buyers should watch the quality gap. Coal-tar-derived m-cresol, which dominates d...

What are the key production routes and purity requirements for m-cresol in China?: Purity is the hidden battleground. Coal-tar-derived m-cresol may meet 95% spec but often fails on trace isomers like o- and p-cresol, which poison catalysts in ...

How we assess m-Cresol price

China factory / mainstream market EXW quotes (VAT excluded where shown) - not a single global public index

Regional and specification detail so buyers can compare like-for-like grades

Landed cost figures from our calculator are planning estimates, not a customs ruling

Overview

m-Cresol (3-methylphenol, CAS 108-39-4) is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic phenolic odor, slightly soluble in water and miscible with ethanol, ether, and alkali solutions. It is a key fine chemical intermediate used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and disinfectants.

Pesticides: a raw material for insecticides such as fenitrothion, fenthion, and metolcarb.
Pharmaceuticals: an intermediate in the synthesis of vitamin E and other medicinal compounds.
Fragrances & flavors: a precursor for thymol and L-menthol production.
Industrial: used in disinfectants, photographic developers, and as a building block for resins and plasticizers.

China's m-cresol industry historically relied on imports, with foreign producers like Lanxess, Sasol, and Mitsui Chemicals dominating global supply. Domestic capacity has expanded in recent years, led by Anhui Haihua, which broke foreign monopolies and built an integrated "m-cresol–thymol–L-menthol" chain. Import dependence has declined as local output grows, though technical barriers remain high.

Key domestic producers:
Anhui Haihua Technology – integrated m-cresol, thymol, and L-menthol producer.
Dongying Haiyuan Chemical – m-cresol manufacturer.
Anhui Shilian Special Solvent – specialty solvent and m-cresol producer.

Properties

Name

m-Cresol

1-hydroxy-3-methylbenzene

3-Cresol

3-Hydroxytoluene

3-methyl-Phenol

CAS Number

108-39-4

EINECS No.

203-577-9

Risk Codes

S36/37/39;S45;S36/37

Safety Description

R24/25;R34;R39/23/24/25;R23/24/25

HS Code

2907120000

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

ChemPriceHub