Polyurethane is a thermosetting polymer that is composed of organic units joined by carbamate links and does not melt on heating. It is light in weight, resistant to corrosion, elastic in nature, and possesses considerable strength. In most of the cases, PU is an alternative to paper, glass, and metals. High mechanical strength enables polyurethane to provide insulation and replace metals for automobile parts.
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The use of polyurethane material is suitable in several industries due to its ability to get molded in different forms. Its broad hardness range is known to be its most unique characteristic. Polyurethane further offers good abrasion resistance with toughness. Moreover, its durability and toughness is higher than most plastics. Owing to these properties, polyurethane is used in various industrial and commercial applications as well as in a wide range of consumer goods used in day-to-day life. It is used in various applications such as eraser and surfboards making; flexible foam in upholstered furniture; thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU used in medical devices and footwear; and coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers used on floors & automotive interiors. Flexible polyurethane foam helps in creating durable, comfortable, and supportive furniture. Therefore, polyurethane— mainly in the form of flexible foam—is widely utilized in home furniture, bedding, and carpet underlay. Bedding and furniture are the largest end-use markets for polyurethane. High demand for polyurethane in offices, building or remodeling homes, and other buildings is supported by its properties such as lightweight, durability, reliability, ease of installation, affordable, recyclable, and versatile nature. The wider application of polyurethane in buildings is insulation. Insulation is commonly required in cavity walls, around pipes, roofs, floors, and boilers. The use of polyurethane in construction is considered safe as it helps in diminishing carbon emissions that lead to global warming. Polyurethanes can dramatically maintain temperature to keep the environment warm in homes and offices in cold weather. During summer, they further play a crucial role in keeping buildings cool, reducing the need for air conditioning. Other than these, adhesives coatings along with other products are utilized in huge volumes in this application.
Polyurethane is used in automotive applications in coatings and sealants. Polyurethane foam products support automobile designers and manufacturers to design seating that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and recycled. They have the highest performance designations over a wide range of firmness without attached weight. The automotive industry is known as another largest user of Reaction Injection Molding or RIM polyurethane parts. RIM mainly maximizes the shock absorption of a car’s bumper, fender, and spoiler, without adding weight or bulk. The lightweight of M polyurethane further gives cars a good gas mileage and offers engineers the freedom to create innovative designs for the car parts.
Some of the major key players operating in the global polyurethane market include Covestro AG; The Dow Chemical Company; BASF SE; Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.; and Huntsman Corporation; among others. The major players in the polyurethane market are focusing on strategies such as mergers and acquisitions and research and development to increase the geographical presence and consumer base globally.