CASHEW NUT SHELL LIQUID ( CNSL ) / CNSL Oil is a versatile by product of the Cashew industry. The nut has a shell of about 1/8 inch thickness inside which is a soft honey comb structure containing a dark reddish brown viscous liquid. It is called CASHEW NUT SHELL LIQUID or CNSL. Which is the pericarp fluid of the Cashew Nut. It is often considered as the better and cheaper material for unsaturated phenols.

The unique properties of CNSL are used to develop and produce a wide range of products that have various applications - In speciality surface coatings, Friction materials, Rubber, Industrial Laminates, Adhesives and sealants. CNSL can be used as an organic substitute for the higher cost phenol based products while at the same time introducing unique features and advantages over traditional chemistry.

It offers much scope and varied opportunities for the development of other tailormade polymers.

CNSL undergoes all the conventional reactions of phenols, CNSL aldehyde condensation products and CNSL based phenolic Resins are used in applications such as surface coatings, adhesives. Various polyamines synthesised from CNSL are used s curing agents for epoxy resins. CNSL and its derivatives have been used as antioxidants, plasticizers and processing aids for rubber compounds, modifiers for plastic materials and used to provide oxidative resistance sulphur-cured natural rubber products. It is also added to rubber gum stock or nit rile rubber to improve the processability, mechanical properties and resistance to crack and cut properties of the vulcanisates.

A number of products based on CNSL are used as antioxidants, stabilisers and demulsifies for petroleum products. Soluble metal derivatives of C.N.S.L are used to improve the resistance to oxidation and sludge formation of Lubricating oils. Oxidised CNSL and its derivatives are also used as demulsifying agents for water in oil type petroleum emulsions.

CNSL or CASHEW NUT SHELL LIQUID OIL used for manufacturing of CNSL Resin, Cardanol or Card Phenol or Cashew Phenol, Cashew Friction Dust, Anti corrosive hiring (lining) chemicals, Paints, Varnishes, Enamels, Insecticides and Fungicides, Cashew Laquers, Bakelite, Electrical conductress, Cashew Cements, Core Oil, Red Oxide, Wood, Fuel, Speciality Chemicals, Foundry Chemicals and many other Industries

CNSL Application

CNSL is primarily used as raw material for :
• Making CARDANOL
• Paints and Varnishes
• Friction Linings
• Surfactants
• CNSL Liquid Resin
• Laminating Resins
• Cashew Cements
• Polyurethane Based Polymers
• PF Resin and Cashew Friction Dust (CFD) for Automobile Brake linings
• Epoxy Resins and Oil soluble Resins
• Synthetic Rubber & Wax compounding
• Foundry Chemicals
• Low-cost Phenol

CNSL End User Industry

• Making CARDANOL
• Coating Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Fuel Industry
• Leather Industry
• Tobacco Curing Industry