O-cresol epoxy resin (EOCN) is the raw material for electronic grade epoxy molding compounds. The production capacity of local enterprises continues to improve.

o-Cresol-formaldehyde epoxy resin (EOCN), also known as linear o-cresol-formaldehyde polyglycidyl ether, is a linear phenolic heat-resistant multi-functional epoxy resin. O-cresol epoxy resin has the advantages of good water resistance, good mechanical properties, good thermal stability, excellent dielectric properties, acid and alkali resistance, etc., and is widely used in aerospace, electronic and electrical fields.

o-Cresol epoxy resin is usually made from o-cresol as raw material. O-cresol, also known as o-methylphenol and o-cresol, is an important fine chemical intermediate and is widely used in many fields. At present, due to factors such as high technical barriers, my country’s o-cresol production capacity is low and cannot meet the needs of downstream applications. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, my country’s o-cresol import volume will reach 305.6 tons in 2022, and the import value will reach US$482,000. Insufficient supply of raw materials will bring certain restrictions to the development of my country’s o-cresol epoxy resin industry.

The synthesis process of o-cresol epoxy resin includes peroxide oxidation process, condensation first and then epoxidation process, and first etherification then condensation and then epoxidation process. The peroxide oxidation method is still in the laboratory research and development stage and has not yet achieved large-scale production; the condensation first and then epoxidation process is the mainstream synthesis process of o-cresol epoxy resin, which can be subdivided into one-step method and two-step method. It has the advantages of high finished product yield, low operating cost, and convenient operation; the first etherification, then condensation and then epoxidation process can be used to produce high-quality o-cresol epoxy resin, but its production is difficult.

According to the “2023-2028 China o-cresol epoxy resin (EOCN) industry market in-depth research and development prospect forecast report》 shows that o-cresol epoxy resin is mainly used in aerospace, electronic and electrical fields. Electronic grade epoxy molding compound is an end product of o-cresol epoxy resin, which can be used to package semiconductor integrated circuits and large-scale integrated circuits. In recent years, with the support of national policies, the development of my country’s semiconductor industry has accelerated, driving the market demand for o-cresol epoxy resin to continue to grow.

In the early stages of industry development, my country’s o-cresol epoxy resin production capacity was extremely low due to high technical barriers and other factors, and demand was highly dependent on imports. In recent years, with the advancement of technology and the improvement of independent research and development capabilities of local enterprises, the output of o-cresol epoxy resin in my country has increased. Baling Petrochemical, Shengquan Group, Bailey Technology, Dongcai Technology, etc. are the main manufacturers of o-cresol epoxy resin in my country. Among them, Baling Petrochemical has the world’s largest o-cresol resin production device.

Industry analysts said that o-cresol epoxy resin has the advantages of good water resistance and good mechanical properties, and has great advantages in the electronic and electrical fields. Broad application prospects. In recent years, the development trend of my country’s o-cresol epoxy resin industry has continued to improve. In the future, with the increase in o-cresol production capacity and the technological advancement of local companies, the production capacity and output of o-cresol epoxy resin will be further increased.