Polyurethane Additives Market By Type (Catalyst, Surfactants, Fillers, Others);  By Application (Foam, Coatings, Adheives & Sealants, Elastomers, Binders, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Others); By End-Use Industry (Building & Construction, Bedding & Furniture, Automotive & Transportation, Electronics, Pharmaceutical, Insulated Appliances); By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Market Analysis, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, 2022-2032

Polyurethane Additives Market Overview and Definition

The global polyurethane additives market size was valued at USD 4.2 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 6.7 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2022 to 2032. Polyurethane is a polymer composed of organic units which are linked by urethane. Polyurethane additives are the chemical substances which are added to these polyurethane polymers to modify and enhance some of its properties to make it suitable for specific applications and desired purposes. The polyurethane additives endow some essential properties to the parent material such as low density, flexibility, durability, intensified weather ability along with resistance to heat, light, abrasion, oil, and chemical.

These additives are used to make high-performance products that are tough but lightweight, perform well, and are durable and highly versatile. They also enhance the processing speed and the stability of the polymers. Polyurethanes are used in various industries, predominantly in the construction and the automobile industry. They enhance the properties of adhesives, foams, sealants, elastomers, coatings, binders and consequently find application in roof insulation, production of seating, upholstery furniture, insulated panels, and gap filling for the space around doors and windows.

The global polyurethane additives market is expected to grow at a more than healthy CAGR over the course of the next few years.

Polyurethane Additives Market Drivers

The growth of this market is attributed towards major pertaining factors including; the growing demand and application of polyurethane additives in various industry verticals, the growing demand for innovative and cost-effective additives worldwide, the growing construction industry in the emerging countries, the bolstering demand for innovative additives, the increasing usage of bio-based products towards the manufacturing of greener products and the changing consumer’s awareness regarding healthier lifestyle, food, and non-consumable products etc.

Moreover, PU materials today are heavily used in the manufacturing of many automotive parts, including exterior body parts, trunk liners, anti-lock brake systems, timing belts, fuel lines and others. Also, flexible PU foams are used in seating, headrests, arm rests, HVAC, and other interior systems for automotives, like in airliners, trains, and buses. PU coatings provide vehicle exteriors with high gloss, durability, scratch resistance, and corrosion resistance.  All these factors contribute significantly in the growth of polyurethane additives market.

Furthermore, other factors such as, the rapid urbanization boosting the building & construction activities around the globe coupled with the rising demand for polyurethane from the furniture and footwear industry, the rapid growth of the transportation sector, the worldwide growth in demand for elastomers among buildings and construction industry, the rise in applications of rigid foams for insulation purposes, the  reduction in energy costs associated with heating and cooling requirements and the rising demand for polyurethane foams in beddings, carpets and cushions will further augment the market growth.

However, the volatility in prices of raw materials, the stringent regulatory measures undertaken by some mature economies to phase out the use of harmful chemical products and the recyclability of polyurethane additives are factors that currently hinder the growth of this market.

Polyurethane Additives Market Segmentation

By Type

• Catalyst
  • Tertiary Amines
  • Ethylene Amines
  • Metal Based Catalyst
• Surfactants
  • Silicone Surfactant
  • Non-Silicone Surfactant
• Fillers
• Others
  • Anti-Oxidants
  • Abrasion Reducers
  • Blowing Agents
  • Flame Retardants
    • Halogenated
    • Non-Halogenated
  • Cross-Linkers

       By Application

• Foam
  • Rigid Foam
  • Flexible Foam
• Coatings
• Adhesives & Sealants
  • Thermoset Adhesives
  • Thermoplastic Adhesives
• Elastomers
• Binders
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Others

By End-Use Industry

• Building & Construction
• Bedding & Furniture
• Automotive & Transportation
• Electronics
• Pharmaceutical
• Insulated Appliances
• Others
  • Leathers
  • Materials & Packaging

By Region

• North America (U.S. & Canada)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe)
• Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico and Rest of Latin America)
• Middle East & Africa (GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman), North Africa, South Africa and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

Polyurethane Additives Market Regional Insight

The Asia Pacific region is the largest and the fastest growing regional market for polyurethane additives. This region is projected to continue to dominate in the market in the next few years as well. The growth in this region could be attributed to various factors such as the growing construction, automotive and furniture manufacturing industries, the increasing disposable incomes of people and the rapid economic growth in the region etc. The major contributors in the region include India and China.

The North American region is the second largest regional market for polyurethane additives followed by Europe. This region is estimated to account for robust growth in the upcoming years owing to the rising investments by governments and market players for the supply of these products, the rise in number of reconstruction activities and the rising demand for this product from the automotive sector in this region. The aircraft manufacturers and the building & construction industry primarily foster the demand for PU additives in this region. The major contributor in the region is the U.S.

Polyurethane Additives Market Key Players

• Albemarle Corporation
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Covestro Ag
• Braskem
• Materia Inc.
• Kolon Industries Inc.
• Icl
• Petroactive
• Soltex
• Kao Corporation
• Tosoh Corporation
• Evonik Industries Ag
• Basf Se
• Huntsman International
• Air Products Chemicals Inc.
• Emery Oleochemicals
• Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Lanxess
• Saudi Arabian Oil Co.
• Cortec Corporation
• Geo Specialty Chemicals Inc.
• Hankuck Latices Co. Ltd.
• Wacker Chemie Ag
• Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.
• Owensboro Specialty Polymers Inc.
• Dow Inc.
• Byk
• Suzhou Xiangyuan Special Fine Chemical Co. Ltd
• Momentive Performance Materials
• Other Players

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

• In November 2020, Univar Solutions Inc. a global chemical and ingredient distributor and provider of value-added services announced that it has been appointed as a distributor of Huntsman's Performance Products division's portfolio of polyurethane additives into the Americas polyurethane market. These specialty lines include the JEFFADD® Aldehyde Scavenger and JEFFCAT® Catalyst product brands, which are used extensively in the production of polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, elastomers and high-modulus castings for the automotive, refrigeration, furniture and bedding, as well as building and construction markets.
• In November 2020, Momentive Performance Materials Inc. announced it will invest $13 million for the expansion of its existing Termoli (Italy) plant to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub for its Niax polyurethane additives. The site, which currently produces high-performance additives for rigid foam applications among other silicone-based products, will undergo a comprehensive technology upgrade to expand services to the EU slabstock foam industry.