Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate (MDI) Market

Market Overview

Global Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate market size will increase US$ 25 billion from 2018 to US$ 33 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 5.4%

Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate (MDI) is an aromatic diisocyanate formed by positioning isocyanate in its fourth position called 4,4’-Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate. The structure is most often used in the high volume chemical production of polyurethane foams. It is also used in non-foam applications, including paints and coating, elastomers, and adhesives and sealants, and other related products. Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate (MDI) is the least hazardous, delivers low vapor pressure, and hence decreases hazards during handling as compared to other major isocyanates involving Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) and Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI). Additionally, insulation rendered with Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate (MDI), combined with consumers' needs to conserve energy by reducing the cost of heating and cooling appliances in daily life which incorporates refrigerators and heaters. Other additional industries that cover MDI applications are footwear, leisure, and sports, where this structure is used to provide flexible foams.

The desired structure depends upon the industry verticals and end-use application, which offers an array of applications in various industry landscapes. MDI offers three extensive foams, namely pure monomeric MDI, polymeric MDI, and modified MDI, which are commonly used in construction, furniture and interiors, electronics, automotive, footwear, and other end-use industries.

• Its pure monomeric MDI is combined with polyols to deliver a wide range of materials and products for elastomers, coasting, sealants, and adhesives involving both high- and low-density microcellular fibers, which are generally suitable for injection molding, extrusion, and other solution applications
• Its polymeric MDI products are suitable for many manufacturing industries and end-use applications
• Its modified MDI is combined with long-chain polyols to provide a wide range of materials and products, including sealants and adhesives, as well as a variety of thermoplastic polymers suitable for injection molding, extrusive, and solutions applications

Market Dynamics

Key Drivers

• Growth and evolution of end-use industries
• Growth in the manufacturing of polyurethane products, where MDI is a raw material

Key Restraints

• Rising environmental concerns and availability of environmental-friendly substitutes
• Fluctuation in raw material prices

Key Opportunities

Phosgene-free MDI or non-toxic phosgene production process acts as the opportunity of the global market. As phosgene free MDI helps towards countering the government standards related to health issue and further enhances the market share in future

Segmental Analysis

Rigid Foam & Construction Industry to Account for Prominent Market Shares by Application & End-Use Industry, Respectively

MDI is used in rigid foam, flexible foam, coatings, elastomers, adhesives, and sealants on account of its flexibility and significant environmental benefits, including reduced project weight and increased energy efficiency. The usage of rigid PU foam in insulated panels, roof and wall insulation, and gap fillers will increase its accessibility in the global market. Rigid foam accounts for a strong share in construction applications, where it is used to cover irregular shapes and seal gaps.

Predominantly, MDI’s array of forms are used in construction, furniture, electronics, automotive, and other end-use industries. The construction end-use industry is pegged to increase on account of upcoming infrastructure projects in emerging economies, including storage tanks, roadways, warehouses, and other buildings with added rising in market share. Favorable government norms and policies pertaining to construction and building further augment market growth. According to the report of National Statistics of the U.K. Government in 2018, the construction industry grew 6.2% in the Great Britain in 2017, of which new firm construction is about 3.4%.

Regional Analysis

China & India Will Drive Growth of Asia-Pacific’s MDI Market

The methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate market in Asia-Pacific is projected to increase by more than 6% on account of the rising demand in emerging countries such as China and India. Presently, the growth of end-use industries such as electronics, construction, and automotive are imparting to the growth of the regional MDI market. China’s MDI market is estimated to grow on account of low-cost transportation, less stringent government norms, and the availability of low-cost raw material, labor, and land. According to China’s central government, the automobile industry output will reach 30 million units by 2020 and 35 million units by 2025 on account of the fact that polyurethanes are widely used in the manufacturing of cars due to the benefits regarding energy conservation, comfort, and protection.

Europe – The Largest Value Shareholder Globally

Europe holds the largest market share globally, with leading players such as BASF SE and Covestro AG driving growth. With increasing prices of isocyanates and usage of polyurethanes, the regional methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate market is growing by more than 5.5 % across global market share. Strong demand, R&D activities, and efforts towards the development of eco-friendly MDI are expected to create opportunities for market expansion in the years to come.

Recent Developments

• In April 2019, BASF SE invested USD 87 million on the second phase of its methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) unit at the Verbund plant in Geismar; with this investment, the company hopes to increase its share in the North America market
• In February 2019, Huntsman released its yearly report, in which the company mentioned a 16% increase in revenue in 2018; furthermore, on account of the low price of MDI in 2018, the company faced revenue loss in the chemical section
• In October 2018, Conestro AG invested USD 1.6 billion in its new MDI plant in Baytown, Texas, which is expected to start in 2024 with a production capacity of 0.5 meter tons/year; with this new production facility, the company increased its market share in Europe

Methylene Diphenyl Di-Isocyanate (MDI) Market Segmentation

By Application

• Rigid foam
• Flexible foam
• Coating
• Elastomer
• Adhesive
• Sealant
• Others

By End-User Industry

• Construction
• Furniture and interiors
• Electronics and appliances
• Automotive
• Footwear
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Poland
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• Japan
• India
• China
• South Korea
• Australia
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East

• Saudi Arabia
• Oman
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• UAE
• Rest of ME

Africa

• Nigeria
• Tanzania
• South Africa
• Ghana
• Rest of Africa