By David Reed, UT EditorLondon-By 2009, polyurethane use in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will approach 5.5 million tonnes, up from the 4.5 million figure in 2004, according to a report from IAL Consultants. But the bulk of this growth will be in the Middle East and Africa - which will experience a rise of 8.9 percent a year, taking PU use there to over 1.1 million tonnes - and eastern Europe, which will grow at about 6.4 percent a year, reaching 773 610 tonnes by 2009; western European growth will average only 2.2 percent a year for the period, with PU use there reaching 3 593 730 tonnes by 2009, the IAL report says.Flexible foam production dominates the region's business, accounting for 39 percent of the total output, the IAL data shows, followed by rigid foams at 26 percent, coatings at 13 percent and elastomers at 12 percent. Other uses include adhesives (4 percent), Binders (4 Percent), and sealants (2 percent), IAL says.In raw material terms, polymeric MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) is the main diisocyanate used, over 1 million tonnes in 2004, according to IAL; monomeric MDI adds a further 206 kilotonnes, with TDI (toluene diisocyanate) use amounting to over 505 kt and speciality isocyanate use at 63 kt.Polyol consumption is dominated by conventional polyether polyols, totalling more than 1500 kt, the IAL report notes, with graft polyols adding 145 kt to the total, with the total polyol usage being increased by more specialised polyols such as polyesters (378 kt), acrylic polyols (78 kt), and polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) amounting to 32 kt in 2004.Finally, IAL reports, additive use, including water and solvents, added another 572 kt to raw material usage in 2004.Constraints on growth in the recent past include shortages of MDI, IAL says, adding that this shortage is likely to continue in the coming few years as applications in the construction sector continue to grow, MDI continues to replace TDI in automotive seating, and MDI-consuming applications such as one-component foams, rebond foam and elastomers continue to grow, along with the general market growth, especially in eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East.Overall, MDI demand is expected to grow at more than 3.2 percent a year over the next five years, IAL concludes.The complete report costs €12 500, and individual sections are available as follows:Volume 1 - Raw Materials €3000.00Volume 2 - Foam Products €5000.00Volume 3 - Non-foam Products €5000.00Volume 4 - Major End-Use Markets €3000.00Volume 5 - Executive Summary For more details, please contact:Mrs Cathy GalbraithIAL ConsultantsCP House, 97-107 Uxbridge RoadEalingLondon W5 5TLTelephone: +44 (0) 20 88 32 77 80Fax: +44 (0) 20 85 66 49 31Email: [email protected]"
