Cumene, also known as isopropylbenzene, 2-phenylpropane or (1-methylethyl) benzene, is widely used as a chemical intermediate in the production of phenol and acetone. Cumene is also used as a thinner for paints, lacquers, and enamels and it is a natural component of coal tar and petroleum.
U.S. production of cumene, including imports, is about
7 billion pounds annually. This data is collected by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) through the TSCA Chemical Data Rule (CDR)
Form U Report and is updated every four years. In
2012, EPA incorrectly listed cumene
production at 37 billion pounds per year, a significant overstatement; the
agency plans to correct the figure during the 2016 reporting period. To verify this
information please contact the office listed here.
The Cumene Panel of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is comprised of the leading manufacturers and major consumers of cumene in the United States.
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