Cardanol is a meta substituted alkenyl phenol, derived from naturally occurring phenol viz. cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL).  Cardanol's chemical structure contributes flexibility, chemical resistance, adhesion and greater hydrocarbon tolerance in the resins prepared from it. Cardanol is used in surface coatings, epoxy, varnishes, paints, printing inks, phenolic resins, rubber compounding, lacquers, laminates, friction materials, and adhesives. Cardanol is a naturally occuring Phenol manufactured from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid. It is a monohydroxyl Phenol having a long hydrocarbon Chain (C15H27) in the meta position.

The products obtained from Cardanol have many advantages over these manufactured from other substituted Phenols. It is therefore widely used in the manufacture of surface coatings, Insulaating Varnishes, Oil and Alcohol soluble resins, Laminating resins, Rubber compounding, Azo dyes, etc. The components of commercial Cardanol differes in the degree of unsaturation Of the side chain but for the practical purposes it can be represented by the following formula.

C6H4(OH)-(CH2)7-CH=CH-CH2-CH=CH(CH2)2 -CH3

The average unsaturation of about two double bonds in the side chain of the Cardanol molecules make cross linking easy and give a satisfactory gradual drying and baking properties to paints prepared from it. Because of its peculiar structure Cardanol Varnishes have high electric Insulation, greater resistance to water chemicals and good flexibility. The long hydrocarbon side chain imparts to Cardanol aldehyde condensate greater solubility in drying Oils such as linseed DCO,or tung Oil and aliphatic hydrocarbons.Cardanol can be substituted by 30% in phenolic resins used for phenol bonded resins for plywood and lamination industries.

Water solubale PCF resin(phenol, cardanol pharmaldehyde resin): We develop PCF resin by substituting 30% cardanol in phenolic resins. The resins will give additional property of antifungus and antithermic when used in plywood industries. In lamination industries it gives additional advantage in non-edge cracking and also cost saving.