Benzene is one of the main building blocks of the petrochemical
industry. The global market grew from 4 million tonnes in 1960
to over 30 million tonnes in 2000.
Most of the benzene produced is from Western Europe, North America
and Asia.
World production (million tonnes)
World production
30
Western Europe
7.53
North America
7.23
South America
0.89
Asia
8.49
Note on Terminology of benzene compounds
Compounds of benzene are often referred to as
aromatic compounds. When the benzene ring is attached to another
molecule in place of hydrogen it is called a phenyl
group.
