According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market size was valued at US$ 181 million in 2025 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 263 million by 2032 with a CAGR of 5.5% during review period.
In 2025, global sales volume of alkyl biphenyl heat transfer oil reached 48,000 metric tons, with an average price of $3,668 per metric ton.
Alkyl biphenyl heat transfer oil is a class of compounds composed of short-chain alkyl (such as ethyl, isopropyl) and biphenyl ring. It is usually obtained by distillation of intermediate products obtained by catalytic reforming of isoparaffin mixture or cyclopentadiene mixture. It is also said that alkyl biphenyl heat transfer oil (shello-benzylbtadiene) is a high-viscosity, low-flash-point, and highly volatile liquid generated by cracking of petroleum fractions under the action of catalysts.
The raw material system for alkyl biphenyl heat transfer oil comprises four major categories: biphenyl core materials, alkylating agents, catalysts and auxiliaries, and solvents/utilities. Regarding biphenyl core materials, industrial biphenyl is primarily obtained through the high-temperature thermal cracking and dehydrogenation of benzene (the tubular furnace method, where benzene vapor passes through red-hot pipes—causing two benzene molecules to each lose a hydrogen atom and bond into biphenyl—with an ideal conversion rate of only 8–12%) or via extraction from coal tar distillation. Chinese manufacturers predominantly employ the condensation-dehydrogenation process involving benzene vapor and red-hot furnace tubes; however, variations in heating methods among manufacturers lead to significant differences in energy and material consumption. This process simultaneously generates approximately 10% terphenyl as a by-product; terphenyl can be further hydrogenated to produce hydrogenated terphenyl (another major class of heat transfer oil). Regarding alkylating agents, the synthesis of ethylbiphenyl utilizes ethylene (C₂H₄) as the ethylating agent, while isopropylbiphenyl synthesis uses propylene (C₃H₆) or isopropanol; as bulk petrochemical products, the price fluctuations of ethylene and propylene directly impact production costs. In terms of catalysts, the synthesis of ethylbiphenyl traditionally employed Lewis acid catalysts such as AlCl₃ (aluminum chloride); however, this resulted in large volumes of acidic wastewater and necessitated acid-resistant equipment. Modern processes have shifted toward solid acid catalysts, such as Y-type molecular sieves, enabling cleaner production through catalytic reforming and alkylation reactions; for instance, Jiangsu Zhongneng Chemical Technology successfully synthesized a series of mono-, di-, and tri-ethylbiphenyl products using Y-type molecular sieve catalysts. Regarding solvents and utilities, the reaction requires inert solvents (such as alkanes), fractional distillation necessitates substantial steam and electricity, and product purification requires multi-stage distillation columns.
In terms of cost structure, the production cost of alkyl biphenyl heat transfer oil is primarily composed of raw materials, energy and utilities, and manufacturing overheads. Raw material costs account for 50–65% of total costs; within this category, biphenyl (or benzene feedstock) represents approximately 40–50%, alkylating agents (such as ethylene or propylene) account for 20–30%, and catalysts and additives make up 5–10%. Price fluctuations in benzene (approx. $600–1,200/tonne) and ethylene/propylene (approx. $800–1,500/tonne) are primary cost drivers; significant volatility in benzene prices between 2020 and 2023 compelled producers to adopt multi-source procurement and index-linked pricing contracts to hedge against risk. Energy and utility costs account for approximately 15–25%, covering high-temperature heating for benzene cracking/dehydrogenation (approx. 400–500°C), thermal energy for alkylation reactions, and steam consumption for fractional distillation; energy costs can vary by 20–30% among manufacturers due to differences in heating methods. Manufacturing overheads (equipment depreciation, labor, maintenance, and environmental treatment) account for approximately 15–20%, with environmental treatment costs varying significantly depending on whether acidic wastewater treatment (traditional AlCl₃ process) or solid catalyst regeneration (molecular sieve process) is employed. Packaging, storage, and transportation costs account for approximately 5–10%.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis for global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented by manufacturers, by region & country, by Type and by Application. As the market is constantly changing, this report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2025, are provided.
Key Features:
Global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market size and forecasts, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Tons), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2021-2032
Global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Tons), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2021-2032
Global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Tons), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2021-2032
Global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market shares of main players, shipments in revenue ($ Million), sales quantity (Tons), and ASP (US$/Ton), 2021-2026
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market based on the following parameters - company overview, sales quantity, revenue, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Eastman (US), Rütgers GmbH (DE), Nippon Chemical (JP), Jiangsu Zhongneng (CN), Hebei Jindong Technology Group Co., Ltd. (CN), Jiangsu Mantuo Chemical Co., Ltd. (CN), etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Market Segmentation
Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2021-2032, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Market segment by Type
Gas Phase
Liquid Phase
Market segment by Alkyl Type
Ethyl Biphenyl (EBP)
Isopropyl Biphenyl
Other
Market segment by Feedstock
Petroleum-based
Coal Tar-based
Natural Gas-based
Market segment by Application
Oil and Gas
Chemical Industry
Pharmaceutical Industry
Food and Beverage Processing
Plastic and Rubber Manufacturing
Other
Major players covered
Eastman (US)
Rütgers GmbH (DE)
Nippon Chemical (JP)
Jiangsu Zhongneng (CN)
Hebei Jindong Technology Group Co., Ltd. (CN)
Jiangsu Mantuo Chemical Co., Ltd. (CN)
Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)
The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil, with price, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil from 2021 to 2026.
Chapter 3, the Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value, and growth by regions, from 2021 to 2032.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and by Application, with sales market share and growth rate by Type, by Application, from 2021 to 2032.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2021 to 2026.and Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market forecast, by regions, by Type, and by Application, with sales and revenue, from 2027 to 2032.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, and Porters Five Forces analysis.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
Summary:
Get latest Market Research Reports on Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil. Industry analysis & Market Report on Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil is a syndicated market report, published as Global Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil Market 2026 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2032. It is complete Research Study and Industry Analysis of Alkyl Biphenyl Heat Transfer Oil market, to understand, Market Demand, Growth, trends analysis and Factor Influencing market.