APIC '12: MDI annual demand growing 5.7%, to touch 8m tonnes in '20

17 May 2012 12:43  [Source: ICIS news]

KUALA LUMPAR (ICIS)--The global demand for methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) is growing at 5.7% per year and is expected to reach close to 8m tonnes in 2020, an industry consultant said on Thursday.

Demand for MDI will be buoyed by the refrigeration and construction industry, which currently makes up more than half of overall consumption, said Gillian Tweddle, business manager for individual project studies at Tecnon Orbichem.

Tweddle was speaking at the 34th Asia Petrochemical Industry Association Conference (APIC) in Kuala Lumpur. The event runs from 17-18 May.

"MDI demand will continue to be driven by insulation and energy efficiency measures, although this has been slowed down by [the] economic slow-down," she said.

Overall, the supply and demand balance are "balanced-to-long" for most polyurethane (PU) chemicals, with the exception of MDI, where new capacity will be needed around 2020, Tweddle added.

Meanwhile, demand for toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) is growing at 3.4% per year and is expected to reach close to 2.5m tonnes in 2020, she said, adding that no new TDI capacities are needed to meet demand growth until 2030.

For more on MDI and TDI visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: Nurluqman Suratman

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