PU resin demand predicted to rise.Polyurethane resin demand in the U.S. is projected to rise 2.8% yearly to 7.6 billion pounds in 2009. Expansion will be driven by opportunities in the construction market based on growing demand for building insulation Thermal insulation in buildings is an important factor to achieving thermal comfort for its occupants. Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can decrease the energy demands of heating and cooling systems. , coatings and adhesives. Flexible and rigid polyurethane foams will remain dominant, together accounting for nearly two-thirds of all polyurethane demand. Thermoplastic A polymer material that turns to liquid when heated and becomes solid when cooled. There are more than 40 types of thermoplastics, including acrylic, polypropylene, polycarbonate and polyethylene. polyurethane will present the best growth prospects in industrial and motor vehicle uses such as gaskets, seals and hoses. The industry will also benefit from product innovations that permit product differentiation Product Differentiation A source of competitive advantage that depends on producing some item that is regarded to have unique and valuable characteristics. , greater end-user comfort and enhanced performance, with more environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] characteristics. Resin prices will grow at a slower rate due to moderating raw material prices, which will recede re·cede 1 intr.v. re·ced·ed, re·ced·ing, re·cedes 1. To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark: waited for the floodwaters to recede. 2. from the price spikes experienced in 2004 and 2005. These and other trends are presented in a study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland, OH-based industry research firm. The demand for flexible polyurethane foam will increase 1.9% annually to 2.6 billion pounds in 2009. Advances will be paced by opportunities in bedding, a mature market, which has been revitalized by the success of viscoelastic Adj. 1. viscoelastic - having viscous as well as elastic properties natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" (memory) foam. Further advances will be threatened by maturity in markets such as furniture and textiles; increased furniture and textile imports; and declines in residential building construction. Rigid polyurethane foam demand will grow at a 3.4% annual rate to 2.4 billion pounds in 2009, benefiting from its high thermal efficiency In thermodynamics, the thermal efficiency (  ) is a dimensionless performance measure of a thermal device such as an internal combustion engine, a boiler, or a furnace, for example. in building, tank and pipe insulation uses. Other leading polyurethane
uses include coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, as well as
binders. Coating gains will be stimulated by increased use of
environmentally-friendly polyurethane-based powder coatings.
Construction markets will account for 36% of all polyurethane use. Growth will result from heightened energy efficiency standards, needs for better performing and lower cost materials, and rebounding nonresidential building construction. Significantly slower growth is anticipated in household products. |
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