London UK -- Over 15m tonnes of polyurethane will be produced in the Asia Pacific region in 2019, according to research agency IAL Consultants.
The region's total PU production was 11.5m tonnes in 2014, compared to almost 9.8m tonnes in 2012 and 6.9m tonnes in 2009, the firm said. Its research suggests an 6.2% annual growth rate from 2014 to 2019.
IAL estimated that 2014 PU elastomer production in the Asia Pacific region was 4m tonnes.
The region produced 2.6m tonnes of rigid foam in 2014, with thermal insulation, construction and refrigeration its bulk markets, IAL researchers said.
Flexible PU foam production in 2014 was over 2.2m tonnes – two thirds slabstock with 145kT moulded and 584kT for transport applications, IAL said.
Over three quarters of Asia's flexible foam is produced in East Asia and, according to IAL, 65% of that is produced in China.
PU production for coatings exceeded 1.85m tonnes in 2014 and was 788kT for adhesives and sealants in the same period.
The latter is a growing market, IAL said, due to increased demand from flexible packaging, construction, automotive and footwear sectors, .
The region's 2014 MDI consumption was estimated at 2.8m tonnes, with TDI consumption 832kT, IAL researchers said.
The information is part of IAL's publication: Polyurethane Chemicals and Products in Asia Pacific.
