More than half of all benzene produced is used to make ethylbenzene, the precursor for styrene. Demand for other end uses, such as cumene and cyclohexane, are well below anticipated levels. Most additional benzene production will come onstream outside North America, as capacity in the region far outstrips the requirements of derivatives makers for the next few years.
Most benzene is produced by either catalytic reforming of naphtha or hydrodealkylation of toluene.
Pyrolysis gasoline is also a major source in Europe and Japan.