Phenolic resins are a groupof the most versatile polymers yet invented. Although they came into existenceat the very start of the age of polymers, they continued to be developed intomore and more applications.
The global phenolic resinmarket by product type and application type, has witnessed a significant growthin the past few years and this growth is estimated to persist in the comingyears. The resol type phenolic resins constitute majority of the marketglobally. Phenol and formaldehyde are the main consumed raw material for thephenolic resin.
Wood adhesive applicationof phenolic resins is expected to drive the phenolic resin market. One of thekey factors contributing to this market growth that phenolic resins makeexcellent wood adhesives for plywood and particleboard because they formchemical bonds with the phenol-like lignin component of wood. They areespecially desirable for exterior plywood, owing to their good moistureresistance. Phenolic resins are usually produced in batches. This permits awide range of formulations and molecular weights to be manufactured using thesame equipment. Continuous processes have been developed that are suitable forproducing a large quantity of a single grade.