In terms of applications it was widely used in agriculture as a seed treatment fungicide and in industry for the production of other chlorinated compounds. However due to its high toxicity persistence in the environment and bioaccumulation its use has been banned or strictly restricted in many countries.

The purpose of hexachlorobenzene was mainly as a chemical intermediate and as a fungicide to protect seeds especially wheat from fungal diseases.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a chlorinated aromatic organic compound that appears as a white crystalline solid with a faint odor. It is highly stable non-flammable and poorly soluble in water.