A snapshot of the global polyurethane market and the future of natural based polyurethane raw materials

Kerman, Michael L. (2005) A snapshot of the global polyurethane market and the future of natural based polyurethane raw materials. [Proceedings Paper]

In 2004 the global Polyurethane market was about 10 Million Metric Tons (MI) or about 22 Billion pounds! The value of the raw materials (raws) which went into the urethane business was in excess of $82 billion Ringgits (RM) or $22 billion US Dollars. Currently the economics of the urethane market are distorted by a combination of high demand, prior restraint in capital spending, high oil prices and maybe a little profit taking. Because the market is distorted I will attempt to introduce a little more rationalism by looking at demand in terms of 2004 - 2005 but material costs in the 2003 - 2004 period. Polyurethane, like most plastics, is a small portion of the Petro-chem stream, which is in tum a small portion of the Petroleum market. However, as in many other areas of plastics and coatings the polyurethane industry has used and is using natural based raw materials in portions of its product line. We will look at some of the current uses of natural based raws, then project to other applications and Market potential. Someone once said, "May you live in interesting times". We certainly do but it is hard to determine whether it's a blessing or a curse. Having lived and worked in the polyurethane industry through a number of oil shocks I tend to take a wait and see attitude. With the preceding comments as a setting, we are here to take a look at the current polyurethane market and rationally evaluate the potential for natural based polyols in that market.

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Abstract

In 2004 the global Polyurethane market was about 10 Million Metric Tons (MI) or about 22 Billion pounds! The value of the raw materials (raws) which went into the urethane business was in excess of $82 billion Ringgits (RM) or $22 billion US Dollars. Currently the economics of the urethane market are distorted by a combination of high demand, prior restraint in capital spending, high oil prices and maybe a little profit taking. Because the market is distorted I will attempt to introduce a little more rationalism by looking at demand in terms of 2004 - 2005 but material costs in the 2003 - 2004 period. Polyurethane, like most plastics, is a small portion of the Petro-chem stream, which is in tum a small portion of the Petroleum market. However, as in many other areas of plastics and coatings the polyurethane industry has used and is using natural based raw materials in portions of its product line. We will look at some of the current uses of natural based raws, then project to other applications and Market potential. Someone once said, "May you live in interesting times". We certainly do but it is hard to determine whether it's a blessing or a curse. Having lived and worked in the polyurethane industry through a number of oil shocks I tend to take a wait and see attitude. With the preceding comments as a setting, we are here to take a look at the current polyurethane market and rationally evaluate the potential for natural based polyols in that market.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. TP684 P3I61 2005 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	polyurethane
AGROVOC Term:	raw materials
AGROVOC Term:	industrial products
AGROVOC Term:	market research
AGROVOC Term:	product development
AGROVOC Term:	innovation
AGROVOC Term:	consumers
AGROVOC Term:	sustainability
AGROVOC Term:	industrial development
Geographical Term:	United States
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2025 08:52
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2025 08:52
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1101

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