APIC ’12: Energy regs, new markets keep polyurethane markets steady

17 May 2012 17:05  [Source: ICIS news]

KUALA LUMPUR (ICIS)--Emerging economies and new energy regulations are fuelling growth for the polyurethane market, an analyst said on Thursday.

“Strong growth for refrigeration and furniture in emerging economies such as India, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, China and parts of Africa will fuel toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) growth,” said Gillian Tweddle of Tecnon Orbichem.

She spoke at the 34th annual Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) 2012, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 17-18 May.

Demand growth from India and Africa is the strongest. China demand is steady but not growing at the high rates seen in the past, Tweddle said.

Methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) demand continues to be driven by the insulation section, and new energy efficiency measures have helped to keep MDI demand steady.

“For the end use construction markets, areas like Europe and the US are struggling, but demand has held steady for isocyanates because of efforts to meet new environmental regulations for insulation,” Tweddle said.

MDI demand is growing at about 5.7% a year, while TDI is growing at about 3.4% year, Tweddle said.

By: Heather McGuire Doyle
+1 713 525 2653

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