Surfactants - The largest industrial use for nonylphenol is in the manufacture of nonionic surfactants. These ethoxylated nonylphenol surfactants have good chemical stability and excellent wetting, emulsifying and detergent properties.

TNPP - Nonylphenol is reacted with phosphorus trichloride to produce trisnonylphenol phosphite, which is acommon antioxidant for a wide range of polymer systems.

Phenolic Resins - Nonylphenol reacts with aldehydes to yield phenolic resins. When used with other phenols, even in small quantities, it makes the phenolic resins more water resistant, more soluble in oil, and improves electrical properties.

Rubber Chemistry - Nonylphenol sulfide has been used in the past as a reclaiming agent for synthetic rubber.

PVC - A variety of nonylphenol derivatives have uses as polyvinyl chloride plasticizer intermediates. These intermediates include nonylphenol benzoate, nonylphenol alkanesulfonates and nonylcyclohexanol.

Epoxy Resins - Nonylphenol can be used in an epoxy resin hardener.

Miscellaneous - Other possible fields of application for nonylphenol are in pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, dyestuffs, ore floatation agents, insecticides, bactericides, chemical stabilizers, and the leather industry. Overbased calcium salt nonylphenol can also be used as a dispersant in hydrolic fluid and motor oil.