Asian polyurethane market declines

In the first quarter of 2013, the TDI and MDI markets were expected to be less optimistic, the environment was uncertain, and concerns about the oversupply and weak demand in the sector were growing. Polyols and TDI are widely used in the furniture, bedding, coating, and automotive industries, while MDI is used in downstream insulation, splints, and automotive components.

This year, the overall supply of Asian TDI markets is loose. With the newly added capacity, the production capacity in Asia is about 1.45 million tons per year.

Manufacturing has been an important driver of Asian economic growth in recent years. With the prosperity of the Chinese real estate industry, the demand for TDI terminal products is very optimistic. However, the euro zone debt crisis is filled with fears, and overseas demand for Asian exports has become weak. Downstream manufacturers this year have reduced the consumption of TDI.

Prices in China fell, while the emergence of arbitrage opportunities in Southeast Asia and India also depressed the price levels in these regions. A Southeast Asian distributor stated that there are currently sporadic orders from Hong Kong traders, and the price of orders has fallen below the mainstream price (approximately US$100-200/ton), which has aggravated the market wait-and-see atmosphere. The prices in the Indian area last month and this month also remained at this low level, suppressing the desire for downstream purchases. People in the industry are concerned that the market will continue this situation for the next year.

The Indian import business environment in 2013 seems to face more challenges because the local Gujarat Narmada River Fertilizer Company (GNFC) has recently installed an expansion of 50,000 tons per year. Once GNFC's new production capacity is put into production, local export business will be even more difficult, and now some companies have been forced out of the market.

The market atmosphere of polymerization MDI has slowed down, and the downstream refrigerator freezer field has been in a low season, and construction activities have also stopped.

Part of the bulk PMDI is used in the refrigerator area, while others are used in the pipe insulation and construction industry. Before the Lunar New Year, Asian MDI prices seem to be in a "smooth-down" trend.

Another factor affecting the market in 2013 is rising raw material costs. According to an MDI producer, if prices remain stable at a high level, manufacturers will increase prices regardless of demand conditions. Many manufacturers said that they have felt the pressure on the profit margins caused by the current MDI price level, and some businesses expect that Asian MDI and TDI prices will rise as a result of the Chinese New Year replenishment.

At present, the Chinese government has relaxed the control policies of the real estate market, and lowered interest rates while encouraging first-time buyers to purchase homes. The real estate and construction market in China is expected to gradually recover steadily, supporting the demand for isocyanates and polyols.