Hydrocarbon resin and petroleum resin are two names for the same family of low-molecular-weight thermoplastic resins made from petroleum-cracking streams. Formulators use them mainly as tackifiers and performance modifiers in adhesives, rubber, road-marking paint, inks, and coatings. The right choice depends on feedstock chemistry, softening point, color, and polymer compatibility.
What Is Hydrocarbon Resin?
A hydrocarbon resin is not a structural plastic used by itself. It is normally blended into a formulation to adjust tack, wetting, adhesion, gloss, hardness, water resistance, viscosity, or processing behavior. Commercial petroleum resins are commonly produced by polymerizing selected unsaturated components from C5 or C9 cracker fractions. Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) can form a separate cycloaliphatic family, while hydrogenation removes much of the residual unsaturation and color-forming structure from selected base resins.
The names hydrocarbon resin, petroleum resin, and hydrocarbon tackifier resin therefore overlap in normal trade usage. They do not identify one universal chemical or specification. A purchase order still needs a grade, test methods, and limits for the properties that matter in the buyer’s formulation.
Milorez supplies MR-* petroleum resins from China as a transparent export trading company. We do not present Milorez as the owner of a manufacturing plant. Our role is to translate a formulation brief into a practical grade shortlist, sample plan, and export offer.
Five Main Hydrocarbon Resin Types Compared
The ranges below are screening ranges synthesized from current manufacturer product families and technical data sheets listed in Sources 1–7. They are typical values, not a specification for every product. Color also depends on whether it is measured neat or in a stated resin solution, so compare like with like.
| Resin type | Main feedstock or treatment | Softening point, R&B | Gardner color | Relative polarity / character | Typical applications | Milorez range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5 aliphatic | Piperylene-rich C5 cracker fraction; may include isoprene and cyclopentadiene components | 90–130°C | 1–6 | Low polarity; strongly aliphatic | Hot-melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives, road marking, rubber | MR-* C5 grades |
| C9 aromatic | C9 aromatic stream containing indene, vinyl toluene, styrenic, and related unsaturated components | 90–140°C | 5–18 | Higher aromatic character; still a low-acid hydrocarbon resin | Printing ink, coatings, rubber, modified asphalt, selected adhesives | MR-* C9 grades |
| C5/C9 copolymer | Controlled combination of C5 aliphatic and C9 aromatic feedstocks | 90–130°C | 3–11 | Intermediate and adjustable aromaticity | EVA/SBC adhesives, rubber, paint, and multipurpose compounding | MR-* C5/C9 grades |
| Hydrogenated | C5, C9, C5/C9, or DCPD-derived base resin followed by partial or full hydrogenation | 95–145°C | 0–1 fully hydrogenated; up to about 2 partially hydrogenated | Usually low polarity; compatibility depends on base chemistry and hydrogenation level | Low-color adhesives, hygiene assembly, clear compounds, premium sealants | MR-* hydrogenated grades |
| DCPD / cycloaliphatic | DCPD-rich stream, commonly thermally polymerized; may also be hydrogenated as a separate premium grade | 90–110°C for common unhydrogenated grades | 3–12 | Low polarity; cycloaliphatic, with residual unsaturation when unhydrogenated | Rubber and tire compounds, adhesives, ink, coatings | MR-* DCPD grades |
“Polarity” in supplier tables is often shorthand for relative aromaticity and compatibility, not a claim that C9 resin behaves like a truly polar tackifier such as some rosin derivatives. Final selection must be confirmed in the complete polymer, oil, wax, filler, antioxidant, and solvent package.
Application Selection Quick Guide
Use this table to build a first sample set. It is a direction-setting guide rather than a formulation guarantee.
| Application | Practical first choice | Why it is shortlisted | What to confirm in trials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-melt adhesive | C5 or C5/C9; hydrogenated for low color and thermal stability | Good tackification of EVA, SIS, and related systems, depending on aromatic balance | Open time, set speed, melt viscosity, heat resistance, and aging |
| Pressure-sensitive adhesive | C5 or aromatic-modified C5/C9; hydrogenated for color-critical PSA | Balances wet tack, peel, and elastomer compatibility | Loop tack, peel, shear, cold performance, and substrate staining |
| Thermoplastic road-marking paint | C5; selected C9 or C5/C9 where the binder package requires it | Light color, wetting, flow, and compatibility with EVA, wax, pigment, and filler | Softening point, melt flow, yellowing, drying, and glass-bead retention |
| Rubber and tire compounding | C5/C9, C9, or DCPD | Aromaticity and cycloaliphatic structure can improve processing and tack in selected elastomers | Mooney behavior, green tack, cure interaction, hardness, and aging |
| Printing ink | C9 or DCPD | Useful gloss, pigment wetting, hardness, and drying contribution in compatible vehicles | Solubility, viscosity, color, drying speed, and rub resistance |
| Paints and coatings | C9 or DCPD; hydrogenated where color retention matters | Can modify gloss, hardness, adhesion, water resistance, and drying | Binder compatibility, solvent release, film clarity, weathering, and odor |
A resin recommended for one polymer may separate in another. Even within EVA, vinyl-acetate content changes compatibility. For styrenic block copolymers, the tackifier may favor the rubbery midblock or the styrenic endblock; that choice changes tack, cohesion, and service temperature. Start with the base polymer and desired failure mode, not with resin color alone.
Four Specifications That Control Selection
Softening point (Ring and Ball)
Hydrocarbon resins soften over a temperature interval rather than melting at one sharp temperature. ASTM E28 defines a controlled Ring-and-Ball endpoint, so the reported value is method-dependent and is not the adhesive’s maximum service temperature. Within a compatible series, a higher softening point often supports heat resistance and cohesion, while a lower value can favor wetting, tack, and low-temperature behavior. Formulation and resin loading can reverse a simplistic rule.
Gardner color
Gardner is a yellow-to-brown color scale: a lower number means a lighter resin. Fully hydrogenated grades are commonly water-white at Gardner 0–1, while standard aromatic C9 grades are usually darker. Always check the test method and sample preparation. A neat-color result cannot be compared directly with a result measured as, for example, 50% resin in toluene.
Acid value
Acid value is reported in mg KOH per gram of resin. Petroleum resins generally have low acid values, and commercial data sheets frequently show limits around 1 mg KOH/g or below. The number can matter for storage stability, pigment wetting, cure chemistry, and interaction with other raw materials, but the acceptable limit belongs to the finished formulation—not to a universal “best” grade.
Compatibility
Compatibility determines whether the blend stays homogeneous during mixing, cooling, storage, and aging. Supplier guidance based on C5/C9 balance is only a starting point. Evaluate clarity or haze, phase separation, cloud point where relevant, melt viscosity, and mechanical performance at the intended resin-to-polymer ratio. Eastman’s selection guidance also shows why partial versus full hydrogenation and aromatic modification can change the applicable polymer set.
Choosing a Hydrocarbon Resin Manufacturer or Supplier
The global supply base includes integrated producers, specialist resin manufacturers, distributors, and export trading suppliers. Geography matters because resin economics begin with access to C5 and C9 steam-cracker streams. Argus reported in its 2024 hydrocarbon-resin analytics sample that most new capacity, with limited exceptions, was being built in Asia-Pacific. Mordor Intelligence estimates that Asia-Pacific held 45.63% of global petroleum-resin market revenue in 2025 and forecasts 6.88% annual regional growth through 2031.
China is central to that supply picture, but public claims often mix total hydrocarbon resin, one resin family, output, capacity, and demand. A 2026 IndexBox analysis estimates China at 40–50% of global hydrogenated petroleum-resin output. That is an output estimate for hydrogenated resin—not a verified share of installed capacity for every C5, C9, copolymer, and DCPD grade. Buyers should treat broad “China share” claims cautiously and qualify the actual production source, grade, and continuity behind an offer.
When comparing a hydrocarbon resin manufacturer with a supplier, ask the same operational questions: Which test method controls color and softening point? Will the commercial shipment match the evaluated source? How are specification or source changes communicated? What are the agreed inspection documents, packaging, pallet pattern, and net load? A transparent supplier should answer these points without implying factory ownership.
Procurement, Packaging, and Samples
Milorez’s normal MOQ is one 20-foot full container load, approximately 18 metric tonnes. Hydrocarbon resins are commonly exported in 25 kg bags, but bag construction, palletization, and exact container loading vary by grade and order. The quotation should therefore state the offered packaging and net weight rather than relying on a generic loading assumption.
FOB shipment is available from Xiamen or Qingdao, China. The appropriate port depends on the selected resin source and logistics plan. For a useful quotation, send:
- application and current base polymer, binder, or solvent system;
- target Ring-and-Ball softening point, Gardner color, and acid value;
- required test methods or incumbent grade for comparison;
- annual or trial demand, packaging preference, and pallet requirement;
- destination port and requested Incoterm.
Milorez provides free samples for evaluation. The efficient process is to define the formulation problem first, shortlist one or more MR-* candidates, test them against the incumbent under the same conditions, and then confirm the commercial specification and loading details before ordering. Request current technical and safety documents for the exact offered grade; do not assume that one family-level data sheet covers every resin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hydrocarbon resin and petroleum resin the same?
Yes. The terms are normally synonymous in industrial trade. The important distinction is the grade family—C5, C9, C5/C9, hydrogenated, or DCPD—and its actual specification.
Is Milorez a hydrocarbon resin manufacturer or supplier?
Milorez is a China-based export supplier and transparent trading company. We do not claim to own the resin plant; we match requirements to MR-* grade options and coordinate export supply.
How should I compare hydrocarbon resin manufacturers and suppliers?
Compare test methods, batch consistency, compatibility evidence, sample-to-order continuity, change control, documents, packaging, loading, and Incoterms. A low headline price is not useful if the tested and shipped materials differ.
What is the price of hydrocarbon resin?
Price depends on resin chemistry, feedstock conditions, softening point, color, hydrogenation level, quantity, packaging, shipping basis, and quote date. Ask for a current grade-specific FOB Xiamen or FOB Qingdao offer.
What is the HS code for petroleum resin?
The commonly used six-digit international subheading is HS 3911.10 for petroleum resins in primary forms. Country-specific digits and classification can vary, especially for modified products, so the importer or customs broker must verify the final declaration.
What is the Milorez MOQ?
The standard MOQ is 1 × 20’ FCL, approximately 18 tonnes. Exact net weight is confirmed with the selected grade, bag format, and pallet plan.
Can I get a free sample?
Yes. Send the application, polymer or binder, target properties, test methods, and destination. Milorez will use that information to select a relevant free sample for lab evaluation.
Request a Grade Recommendation
Tell Milorez what your resin must do—not only the name of the grade you currently buy. Share the application, formulation base, target softening point and color, test method, current pain point, volume, and destination. We will prepare an MR-* shortlist, a free-sample plan, and a current full-container quotation from China. Contact Milorez for hydrocarbon resin selection and pricing.
Sources
- ASTM International, ASTM E28-18(2022), Standard Test Methods for Softening Point of Resins Derived from Pine Chemicals and Hydrocarbons by Ring-and-Ball Apparatus: https://store.astm.org/e0028-18r22.html
- ExxonMobil, Escorez™ 1102 Product Datasheet (aliphatic hydrocarbon resin; 100°C typical softening point): https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000100573/0/en
- ExxonMobil, Escorez™ 5400 Product Datasheet (light-color cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resin; 103.4°C typical softening point): https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000000431/0/en
- Idemitsu Kosan, I-MARV™ Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resin Product Range (100–140°C grade families and applicable polymers): https://www.idemitsu.com/en/business/ipc/products/water.html
- Eastman, Spectrum of Hydrocarbon Resins (compatibility and hydrogenation-selection guidance): https://discover.univarsolutions.com/assets/files/case/AA-Eastman-Spectrum-brochure.pdf
- Teckrez, TECKREZ® C59-93 Technical Data Sheet (C9-modified C5 resin): https://teckrez.com/wp-content/uploads/TDS-Teckrez-C59-93.pdf
- Lesco Chemical / Knowde, LESTAC DCPD100 Technical Product Data (DCPD resin properties): https://www.knowde.com/stores/lesco-chemical-limited/products/lestac-dcpd100
- Argus Media, Hydrocarbon Resins Analytics Sample Report, August 2024 (regional capacity and production context): https://www.argusmedia.com/-/media/project/argusmedia/mainsite/english/documents-and-files/sample-reports/argus-report-sample-hydrocarbon-resin-analytics-august-2024.pdf
- Mordor Intelligence, Petroleum Resin Market Size & Share Analysis—Growth Trends and Forecast (2026–2031): https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/petroleum-resin-market
- IndexBox, Hydrogenation Petroleum Resin Market Growth Outlook to 2035 (China output estimate, published 2026): https://www.indexbox.io/blog/hydrogenation-petroleum-resin-market-forecast-points-higher-toward-2035-driven-by-energy-storage-adhesives-demand/
- United Nations Statistics Division, HS 2017 Classification Detail 391110: https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Structure/Detail/EN/2089/391110
Sources accessed July 20, 2026. Technical values are screening ranges; use the current TDS and agreed specification for the exact commercial grade.
Frequently asked questions
Are hydrocarbon resin and petroleum resin the same?
Yes. In industrial purchasing, hydrocarbon resin and petroleum resin usually describe the same family of low-molecular-weight thermoplastic resins produced from petroleum-cracking fractions. C5, C9, C5/C9 copolymer, DCPD, and hydrogenated grades are the main commercial families.
Is Milorez a hydrocarbon resin manufacturer or supplier?
Milorez is a China-based export supplier and transparent trading company, not presented as the owner of a resin plant. We match application requirements to suitable MR-* grades and coordinate commercial supply from China.
How should I compare hydrocarbon resin manufacturers and suppliers?
Compare the actual grade specification, test methods, batch consistency, polymer compatibility, change-control practice, documents, sample-to-order continuity, loading plan, and Incoterm—not only the quoted price or the word manufacturer.
What is the price of hydrocarbon resin?
There is no reliable universal price. C5 or standard C9 grades usually price differently from low-color copolymers and hydrogenated resins. Feedstock, softening point, color, order volume, packaging, freight basis, and quote date all affect the offer. Request a current grade-specific quotation.
What is the HS code for petroleum resin?
The international six-digit HS subheading commonly used for petroleum resins in primary forms is 3911.10. National tariff schedules add digits and may classify a modified product differently, so the importer or customs broker should verify the final code.
What is Milorez's minimum order quantity?
The normal MOQ is one 20-foot full container load, approximately 18 metric tonnes. Exact net loading depends on grade, packaging, and palletization and is confirmed on the quotation.
Can I request a free hydrocarbon resin sample?
Yes. Milorez provides free samples for grade evaluation. Share your application, base polymer or binder, target softening point and color, test method, and destination so the most relevant sample can be selected.