The market size of parahydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) continues to expand, with the cosmetics sector being its largest demand end.

Parahydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), also known as paraben acid and p-phenolic acid, has a chemical formula of C7H6O3 and is an organic compound. Parahydroxybenzoic acid appears as colorless fine crystals or crystalline powder with a slight special odor. It is soluble in ether, ethanol and acetone, but insoluble in carbon disulfide. Parahydroxybenzoic acid has bacteriostatic properties and low toxicity. As a preservative, it is widely used in the fields of food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The main preparation methods of parahydroxybenzoic acid include potassium phenolate carboxylation method, potassium salicylate heating preparation method, plant extraction method, etc. The potassium phenolate carboxylation method is widely used in industrial production and can be subdivided into three types: continuous gas-liquid phase method, potassium phenolate solvent carboxylation method and potassium phenolate solid-phase carboxylation method. The heating preparation method of potassium salicylate refers to heating and decarboxylation of salicylic acid under high temperature and high pressure conditions, and then adding phenolate, and then fully reacting and acidifying to obtain parahydroxybenzoic acid; the plant extraction method refers to extracting from Rhododendron albicans, Rhododendron parviflora, Parahydroxybenzoic acid is extracted from lobelia.

Parahydroxybenzoic acid is widely used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In the food field, parahydroxybenzoic acid can be used as a food additive in pickled products, fruit flavorings, and soy sauce to play a preservative and preservative role; in the pharmaceutical field, parahydroxybenzoic acid can be used as non-peptide protease inhibitors and xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Inhibitors and basic raw materials of phenoxyaromatic acid drugs. According to the “2023-2028 China Parahydroxybenzoic Acid (PHBA) Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report》shows that driven by downstream demand, my country’s parahydroxybenzoic acid market continues to expand, reaching 120 million yuan in 2022, accounting for nearly 30% of the global market.

The cosmetics field has the largest demand for parahydroxybenzoic acid, and methylparaben is its end product. Methyl paraben, also known as methyl parahydroxybenzoate, is a commonly used cosmetic preservative. It has been widely used in Lancôme Golden Pure Beauty Beauty Serum, Yves Saint Laurent Velvet Mascara, Estee Lauder Pomegranate Facial Cleanser, and SK-II Skin Care Essence. and other well-known brand cosmetics and skin care products. In recent years, with the rise of the appearance economy, the prosperity of my country’s cosmetics industry has continued to increase. As a cosmetic preservative, the market demand for methylparaben has increased, which provides favorable conditions for the development of the paraben industry.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Hubei Mackes Refining, Jiuquan Zhihe New Materials, Shandong Jichuang Chemical, Shandong Suitai Biotechnology, etc. are the main manufacturers of parahydroxybenzoic acid in my country. At present, the annual production capacity of Jiuquan Zhihe New Materials parahydroxybenzoic acid has reached nearly 5,000 tons, ranking first in my country.

Industry analysts said that parahydroxybenzoic acid has excellent performance and has broad application prospects in the cosmetics field. In the future, with the continued release of downstream demand, The speed of industry development will further accelerate. my country is a major producer and consumer of parahydroxybenzoic acid. As local companies continue to optimize the industrial structure layout, my country’s parahydroxybenzoic acid production capacity is expanding rapidly. Overall, the paraben industry has huge development potential.