MOSCOW (MRC) -- The global polyurethane dispersions market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2012 to 2018, according to Business Standard, citing Transparency Market Research's (TMR) new report. 

 

As per the report, the global polyurethane dispersions market will report a market value worth USD1.18 billion by 2018.

 

The global polyurethane dispersions market is primarily driven by the growth of the textile finishing industry, and higher production of synthetic leather. Polyurethane dispersions refer to high solid dispersions of polyurethane polymers in water. These are mostly used for manufacturing polyurethane coatings and adhesives that contain low levels of organic compounds that are volatile which exhibit superior coating and excellent adhesion properties for metals, wood, rubber, textiles, plastics, and other miscellaneous high performance substrates.

 

Polyurethane dispersions ensure polyurethane-like-performance, however, with added advantages like the absence of toxic and volatile organic compounds, elimination of odour, and the absence of harmful monomers. They possess high degree of toughness and are generally used in adhesives, sealants, and coatings.

 

In terms of consumption, the global polyurethane dispersions market is dominated by the segment for adhesives and coatings. Owing to rising demand for synthetic leather from industries like that of interiors, furniture, and automobile, it is anticipated that the synthetic leather production segment will witness robust growth in the forthcoming years.

 

Regionally, the global polyurethane dispersions market is categorised into Europe, the Asia Pacific, North America, South America, and Rest of the World. In the year 2012, the global polyurethane dispersions market was led by the Asia Pacific with a share of almost 37%. The Asia Pacific was followed by Europe which accounted for almost 29 percent of the total market share in the overall polyurethane dispersions market. "It is expected that the Asia Pacific will retain its leading position in the years to come both in terms of revenue and production. The Asia Pacific polyurethane dispersions market is driven by greater production and consumption of polyurethane dispersions in the emerging economies of China and India," said TMR in a press release.

 

As MRC wrote before, Alpek and BASF have signed agreements concerning the EPS (expandable polystyrene) and PU (polyurethane) business activities of their Polioles joint venture in Mexico, and BASF's EPS business in North and South America, excluding BASF's Neopor (grey EPS) business. Alpek will acquire all of Polioles' EPS business activities, including its EPS production site in Altamira, Mexico. In parallel, BASF will acquire Polioles' PU business activities, including selected assets in its Lerma facility as well as all marketing and selling rights for PU systems, isocyanates and polyols.