Fast changing polymer technology and a competition driven global market is rapidly reducing the dependence on petrochemicals for the productions of resin polymers. Increasing concern for the environmental hazards caused by non-degradable synthetic polymers directed worldwide research towards the use of ‘renewable resources’ as a green step for the production of polymers. Amongst the renewable resources, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a natural and annually renewable material obtained as a by-product of the cashew industry – is unique in the way that it is a naturally occurring phenol, with a long unsaturated side chain generally at its meta position. Due to the various functional groups present in the base C.N.S.L structure, CNSL Resin differs in behaviour than Phenolic Resin.

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) is obtained as a by-product of the cashew industry. It is one source of naturally occurring phenol and can take part in a number of reactions.

CNSL is amber-coloured, viscous oil extracted from the pericarp of the cashew shells by various methods.

It is cheaper, renewable and is successfully employed to manufacture a variety of useful Phenolic Resin to replace synthetic Phenol in many of its applications with equivalent or better results.