Table [60] shows the average annual world production of phenol in recent years by countries. Half of the total was produced in the United States.
Table 60.—Phenol: Estimated average annual production, by countries, 1933-35
| Produced in— | Estimated annual production |
|---|---|
| 1,000 pounds | |
| UNITED STATES | 41,000 |
| United Kingdom | 18,000 |
| Germany | 10,000 |
| Poland | 3,000 |
| Japan | 3,000 |
| Czechoslovakia | 1,000 |
| Belgium | 2,000 |
| France | 2,000 |
| Italy | 1,500 |
| Spain | 700 |
| Total | 82,200 |
Source: Consular reports.
In the United Kingdom, where tar distillation is a well developed and highly organized industry, large quantities of gas-works tar, rich in phenol and other tar acids, are available. Prior to the World War the United Kingdom was the principal source of phenol, and of the other products of tar distillation. During the war several synthetic processes of commercial importance were developed, but they were discontinued after its close. A new synthetic unit has recently been installed in England and is now in operation. Increasing consumption of phenol in synthetic resins during the last decade, particularly in the last several years, has changed the United Kingdom from an exporter to an importer of phenol. Estimated consumption of phenol in the United Kingdom is given as 20 million pounds annually—principally in synthetic resins, and in lesser quantities in dyes, intermediates, antiseptics, and disinfectants.
In Germany the phenol recovered in 1936 amounted to about 20 million pounds, and recently three commercial units have been installed for the production of synthetic phenol, one with a reported daily output of 11,000 pounds.
Natural phenol is also recovered in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Italy, and Spain. Synthetic phenol has recently been produced for the first time in Belgium and Italy. The quantities normally produced in these countries are small and are supplemented by imports from Great Britain and Germany.
The production of phenol in Japan has increased rapidly and has been sufficient since 1930 to meet domestic requirements. The estimated output increased from 300,000 pounds in 1927 to more than 3 million pounds annually in recent years. The Miike Dyestuffs Works is reported to be producing synthetic phenol.