CPI to launch North American End-Use Market Survey for 2010

According to research conducted by IAL Consultants on behalf of the CPI, the North American polyurethane industry produced just over 6.2 billion lbs (approximately 2.8 million t) during 2010, a decrease of 2.4 % compared to the 6.5 billion lbs produced in 2008. Government stimulus packages did help to increase demand for PU from the automotive industry during 2009 and early 2010, as well as increase sales of appliances, but these schemes have now finished.

Data for the three individual countries showed contrasting situations. US  production declined at an average rate of 3.6 %, but production in Canada and Mexico actually increased production compared to 2008, with average growths of 1.5 % and 3.3 % respectively. This is the fourth survey running that Mexico has shown positive growth, partly at the expense of the US, but also as Mexico has a fairly healthy export market for appliances and furniture and bedding both to the US and the rest of South America.

Rigid foam maintains market share
In spite of the continued poor performance of the North American construction industry, and the decline in the construction of new houses between 2008 – 2010, the demand for rigid foam accounts for the largest share of production at 34.6 %. Overall, production only declined annually by 3.3 % but the price of energy has been the most important driver affecting demand. Consumer demand for home insulation and more efficient household refrigerators and freezers has helped to maintain demand for rigid foam. Government schemes such as tax credits have encouraged Canadian homeowners to upgrade insulation. The US government has also encouraged greater use of energy efficiency as a strategy to combat dependency upon imports of oil and gas

General decline across major end-uses
Data presented illustrated a general decline in PU production across the region from 2008 to 2010 in the construction, transportation and furniture and bedding industries. The appliance industry actually grew overall by approximately 8 % due to a combination of stimulus packages, promotion of more energy efficient models, new designs and pent-up consumer demands from 2009.

RIM (Reaction Injection Moulding), showed the largest decline in production, falling by 12 % during the past two years. This decline was reported to be mainly due to competition from other materials such as TPOs especially within in the automotive industry. Production of PU coatings reported an average annual decline of 4 % over the past two years, due to their reliance on major industries such as automotive, appliances and construction.