A review of the global PU industry of 2015 and outlook for 2016

摘要

Several economic reports have described 2015 as challenging with some of the lowest growth rates for years; however, data presented here suggests that the production of poly-urethane has continued to grow above GDP growth. Production of PU products in 2015 is estimated to have reached just over 20.5 million t, 4.0% higher than in 2014. Forecasts for growth rates for 2016 are to be increasing slightly to 5.0% as economies adjust to the "new normal" of lower growth in China, the normalising of interest rates and problems in Brazil and Russia. Factors including climate change, urbanisation, population growth and ageing, technology changes and the wider approach to comfort and the depletion of natural resources are all supporting polyurethane demand even in times of crisis.