Dicyclopentadiene Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The global dicyclopentadiene market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.50% during the period 2025-2034. The Far East region is a major market for dicyclopentadiene, in addition to Europe and North America. The demand is expected to significantly increase in Europe, USA and Asian markets during the forecast period.

Global Market Likely to be Driven by Applications in Paints, Adhesives, Inks, Thermoset Resins, Coatings

Crude dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) is a yellowish-brown (or amber) liquid, has a hydrocarbon odour, and normally contains 65 percent dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). Crude dicyclopentadiene is a flammable Liquid. Dicyclopentadiene, the key element of crude dicyclopentadiene, reacts with oxygen and strong oxidizing agents to give peroxides. Crude dicyclopentadiene is chiefly used to manufacture high purity dicyclopentadiene. Crude dicyclopentadiene is stabilized with 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) to prevent peroxide formation. There are no consumer uses of crude dicyclopentadiene; it is used as feedstock to produce high purity dicyclopentadiene.

Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) is also known as DCPD mixture, Cyclopentadiene dimer, and bicyclopentadiene. It is used to produce a broad range of specialty products, including polyester resins, adhesives, coatings, varnishes, and other specialty chemicals.

Industrial Applications Expected to Drive the Global Dicyclopentadiene Market

Pyrolysis of hydrocarbon mixtures is the only major industrial source of cyclopentadiene and dicyclopentadiene. Industrial end uses of cyclopentadiene and dicyclopentadiene may be classified under two broad categories:

• Resins and polymers comprising hydrocarbon resins (HCR), unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) and ethylene propylene diene rubbers (EPDM).
• Special polymers and fine chemicals, comprising flame retardants, specialty norbornenes, cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), flavour and fragrance intermediates, and  agrochemicals.

Dicyclopentadiene is commercialized in many purity grades; lower purity grade (60 wt. % to 80 wt. %) is used to produce hydrocarbon resins. Grades with a concentration over 85 wt. % are employed to produce unsaturated polyester resins. High purity grade normally contains 91–95 wt. % dicyclopentadiene. These dicyclopentadiene grades are employed as a source of CPD via dicyclopentadiene cracking to manufacture intermediates such as norbornene or ethylidene norbornene (ENB).

ENB and high purity dicyclopentadiene are employed to produce ethylene propylene diene rubbers (EPDM). Dicyclopentadiene, employed as a thermonomer for EPDM, tends to be of highest purity (over 94 wt. %). High purity dicyclopentadiene may be further upgraded to an ultra-pure grade of above 99 wt. % dicyclopentadiene. This dicyclopentadiene grade is used to make poly-dicyclopentadiene for use in catalytic reaction injection moulding (RIM).

Hydrogenated Dicyclopentadiene Resins have Several Commercial Applications; These Applications are Likely to Stimulate the Global Dicyclopentadiene Market

Hydrogenated dicyclopentadiene resins are employed as adhesives for diapers and sanitary ware, hot melt adhesives with thermoplastic rubbers, tackifiers in tires and floor tiles, surface coating and varnishes and ink. These are also employed in white for road marking paint, where light stability and chemical resistance assume significance. Chemically modified dicyclopentadiene resins and dicyclopentadiene copolymers are employed in printing inks, particularly for offset printing in the newspaper industry.

Dicyclopentadiene was initially introduced into the production of polyester resins as a cheaper substitute for phthalic anhydride for lower quality unsaturated polyester resins. These dicyclopentadiene types may offer significant cost savings due to lesser necessity for styrene and the replacement of phthalic anhydride and propylene glycol by ethylene glycol and dicyclopentadiene.

Dicyclopentadiene-based unsaturated polyester resins offer advantages related to lower viscosity and better processability, better surface properties and better resistance to weathering and water. However, such dicyclopentadiene-containing resins are not appropriate for applications where transparency is needed.

Market Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Dicyclopentadiene Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Grade

• DCPD Resin
• DCPD UPR
• DCPD High Purity

Market Breakup by Application

• Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR)
• Hydrocarbon Resins
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Elastomers
• Cyclic Olefin
• Poly-DCPD
• Others

Market Breakup by End Use

• Building and Construction
• Automotive and Marine
• Electrical and Electronics
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Key Industry Players in the Global Dicyclopentadiene Market

The report presents a detailed analysis of the following key players in the market, looking into their capacity, and latest developments like capacity expansions, plant turnarounds, and mergers and acquisitions:

• Braskem S.A.
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LLC
• The Dow Chemical Company
• LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
• NOVA Chemicals Corporate
• KH Chemicals
• Others

The EMR report gives an in-depth insight into the industry by providing a SWOT analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces model.
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