In-depth analysis: current situation and prospects of polyurethane industry at home and abroad

2. Domestic polyurethane industry status
2.1 Development history of domestic polyurethane industry
my country's polyurethane industry started late in the late 1950s. In 1958, Dalian Dyestuff Factory developed isocyanate (TDI), and in 1962, it built a production facility with an annual output of 500 tons.

In the early 1960s, Jiangsu Chemical Industry Research Institute and others developed polyether-type PU flexible foam.
In the early 1970s, Jiangsu Research Institute and Nanjing Rubber Factory developed mixed PU elastomer (MPU). At the same time, Tianjin Chemical Industry Research Institute and Tianjin Paint Factory developed PU coatings.
In 1974, Beijing Institute of Construction Engineering developed PU waterproof material, and Jiangsu Institute developed PU waterproof and grouting materials.
In 1976, Jiangsu Research Institute and others carried out the research and development of PU track rubber technology, and in 1978, it began to promote it on a large scale in domestic sports venues.
In the 1980s, domestic manufacturers successively introduced 10,000-ton polyether production equipment. For example, Yantai Synthetic Leather Factory introduced PU synthetic leather technology from Japan and a 10,000-ton MDI production equipment.

In the 21st century, the polyurethane industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in my country's chemical industry.

2.2 Domestic production and sales of polyurethane
The output of my country's polyurethane industry from 2014 to 2021 is shown in Figure 4. It produced 966 tons in 2014, 10.35 million tons in 2015, 10.85 million tons in 2016, and 11.89 million tons in 2017, maintaining a compound annual growth rate of 7.28%. The output in 2020 will be approximately 14.7 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 7.6%, and will reach 15.32 million tons in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 4.22%.

my country's polyurethane consumption was approximately 9.6 million tons (including solvent content) in 2014 and approximately 12.4 million tons in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. During the "Thirteenth Five-Year Plan" period, the polyurethane industry showed moderate growth. According to the "China Polyurethane Industry Operation Status Analysis and Investment Strategy Research Report (2023-2030)" by Guanyan Report Network, polyurethane consumption in 2021 will be 12.63 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 1.85%, of which polyurethane soft foam consumption accounts for 27 %, the main application areas include car seats, furniture, fabric padding, etc., polyurethane rigid foam consumption accounts for 26%, mainly used in thermal insulation fields such as refrigerators and freezers, cold chain logistics, as well as building exterior wall insulation and energy saving. .
2.3 Domestic polyurethane consumption distribution
The consumption situation of polyurethane products in my country in 2014 is shown in Figure 5. Polyurethane foam accounts for the largest proportion, about 40% (soft foam 20.82%/hard foam 18.90%), synthetic leather slurry accounts for 21.91%, coatings account for 16.30%, adhesives and sealants account for 5.04%, and elastomers account for 4.12%.
The consumption situation in 2021 is shown in Figure 6. Polyurethane foam still accounts for the most, about 53% (soft foam 27%/hard foam 27%), elastomers account for 20%, coatings account for 16%, and adhesives and sealants account for 6%.

Comparing the proportion of consumption in 2014 and 2021, it can be seen that polyurethane foam (including soft foam and hard foam) is still the product with the largest proportion in my country's polyurethane consumption, and the proportion of hard foam and soft foam is increasing. Body is the product with the largest growth rate, the proportion of coatings is relatively stable, and the proportion of synthetic leather slurry continues to decline, which is consistent with the international consumption trend of polyurethane.