phenolic resin fiber glass thermoplastic PHENOLIC RESIN There is an ever-increasing demand for phenolic resin each year. Sales of phenolic resins are directly related to the growth of construction industry - its largest industry - and growth will be limited if new housing starts dropping. The biggest use of phenolic resin is in adhesive and bonding resins. Direct substitute products that competete with phenolic resins in the industry are melamine and urea-formaldehyde.