Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
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Polyurethane Price Trend Analysis 2026: Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis, Market Insights, Price Drivers & Latest News
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Polyurethane Price Trend Q1 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane | China | FOB | USD 2,253.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Polyurethane | USA | FOB | USD 5,908.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Polyurethane | Germany | FOB | USD 3,500.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Polyurethane | India | CIF | USD 2,303.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Polyurethane | Japan | CIF | USD 2,295.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Polyurethane | China | FOB | USD 2,220.00/MT | March 2026 |
| Polyurethane | USA | FOB | USD 5,630.00/MT | March 2026 |
| Polyurethane | Germany | FOB | USD 3,033.00/MT | March 2026 |
| Polyurethane | India | CIF | USD 2,275.00/MT | March 2026 |
| Polyurethane | Japan | CIF | USD 2,256.00/MT | March 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Polyurethane Resin prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
- Global polyurethane markets moved sharply upward in Q1 2026, driven by simultaneous supply tightening, cost escalation, and logistics disruptions across regions.
- Feedstock pressures intensified due to rising isocyanate and polyol costs, further amplified by crude-linked volatility and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting upstream flows.
- Downstream demand from construction, automotive, furniture, and insulation sectors remained firm, with buyers advancing procurement amid supply uncertainty.
Asia
In Asia, polyurethane prices strengthened as supply constraints and cost escalation converged during the first quarter of 2026. Tight availability of key feedstocks and maintenance shutdowns across production units reduced supply flexibility, while Middle East tensions disrupted naphtha flows through the Strait of Hormuz, tightening upstream availability and raising production costs. China witnessed strong price momentum as multiple segments across the polyurethane chain recorded broad-based increases, supported by synchronized production cuts and reduced operating rates globally, with over 1.9 million tonnes of MDI capacity affected during the quarter. Demand from insulation materials, appliances, and furniture remained stable, further supported by export recovery in downstream goods. In India, import dependence and freight disruptions increased landed costs, while delays in shipments due to rerouting added supply pressure, sustaining upward pricing sentiment.
Europe
In Europe, polyurethane markets remained firm due to elevated energy costs and constrained production throughout Q1’26. High natural gas prices forced operating rate reductions across energy-intensive facilities, limiting regional supply and strengthening global price benchmarks. Supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions increased logistics costs and extended transit times, reducing import competitiveness. Demand from construction insulation and industrial applications remained moderate but sufficient to absorb available supply, preventing price corrections.
North America
In Q1’26, polyurethane prices rose, supported by strong cost pressures and aggressive supplier pricing actions. Producers implemented multiple price increases, including hikes in MDI across the region, reinforcing pricing discipline amid rising costs. Additionally, additives and related materials saw price hikes of up to double-digit levels due to inflation in raw materials, energy, and logistics. The Middle East conflict disrupted global trade flows, increasing freight costs and causing shipment delays, which tightened supply availability. Buyers in construction, automotive seating, and furniture sectors accelerated procurement and stockpiling, further strengthening market conditions.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, polyurethane prices are expected to remain firm, as ongoing geopolitical disruptions, elevated feedstock costs, and constrained supply chains continue to support high price levels.
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Polyurethane prices exhibited a broadly soft trend during H2 2025, with global markets shaped by persistent inventory overhangs, subdued downstream demand, and easing feedstock cost support. In North America, the market faced sustained downward pressure as year-end destocking cycles and weak export demand intensified competition among sellers, while stable operating rates ensured ample availability. Softer feedstock trends, particularly in TDI and MDI, further reduced production cost support, reinforcing bearish sentiment. Similarly, in the Asia-Pacific region, prices declined amid abundant inventories and cautious procurement from converters, with automotive and manufacturing sectors remaining key demand laggards. Stable feedstock dynamics and logistical inefficiencies further limited any recovery momentum. In Europe, the market followed a comparable trajectory, where weak construction activity and conservative buying behavior outweighed minor supply-side disruptions such as intermittent feedstock outages. Inventory accumulation and import competition continued to suppress spot market activity. Overall, the global polyurethane market remained demand-driven, with suppliers relying on discounts and inventory adjustments to sustain market participation amid limited downstream pull.
About Polyurethane
Polyurethane (PUR and PU) refers to a polymer made up of organic units, which are further connected by carbamate (urethane) links. These polymers are conventionally formed by reacting a di- or triisocyanate with a polyol. Since polyurethanes are composed of 2 types of monomers, which polymerise one after the other, they are grouped as alternating copolymers. They are used in almost all industries as they possess a certain hardness and can replace rubber or even metal.
Polyurethane Product Detail
Chemical Formula
(R1 NH COO R2)n
Industrial Uses
Foam seating and foam insulation panels, Wheels and tyres, Electronic applications, Electrical potting compounds, Adhesives, Surface coating and surface sealants, Synthetic fibres
Synonyms
Carbamate Polymer
Supplier Database
BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Umicore N.V, LANXESS AG, Mitsui Chemicals & SKC Polyurethanes Co., Ltd.
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Polyurethane Production Process
- Production of Polyurethane via Polymerisation
Synthetic polymers, like polyurethane, are often prepared by reacting monomers in a reaction vessel. In order to produce polyurethane, polyol, namely poly(1,4-butanediol adipate) is reacted with a diisocyanate like methylene diphenyl diisocyanate to polymerise in a twin screw extruder, which results in the formation of Polyurethane.
Frequently Asked Questions
During Q1 2026, polyurethane prices declined across the tracked regions. In China, prices showed a 0.63% decrease from January to March, while in Germany they witnessed a 9.85% decrease, in India a 9.27% decrease, and in Japan a 0.88% decrease. The sharper decline in Germany and India reflected weaker downstream demand, cautious procurement, and pressure from adequate raw material availability.
The polyurethane outlook for 2026 remains steady but uneven across regions. Demand is expected to remain supported by construction insulation, furniture, mattresses, automotive seating, footwear, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers. However, prices may stay under pressure where downstream demand is weak and inventories remain sufficient. Feedstock MDI, TDI, and polyol movements will continue to shape regional pricing.
The main factors affecting polyurethane prices in Q1 2026 were weak downstream demand and inventory pressure. Reduced buying from construction, insulation, furniture, bedding, and automotive component manufacturers limited fresh orders. At the same time, adequate MDI, TDI, and polyol availability kept buyers cautious, especially in Germany and India, where prices fell sharply.
Major polyurethane markets include China, the United States, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. China remains important because of its large polyurethane foam, coatings, and automotive supply chains. Key companies include BASF, Covestro, Dow, Huntsman, Wanhua Chemical, Mitsui Chemicals, Tosoh, Lanxess, DIC Corporation, Recticel, and Woodbridge Foam.
Covestro completed TDI capacity expansion at its Shanghai integrated site. The project raised annual TDI capacity from 310,000 tonnes to 370,000 tonnes, adding 60,000 tonnes per year and representing about a 20% increase. TDI is a key raw material for flexible polyurethane foam used in furniture, mattresses, and automotive seating, so the expansion strengthened Asia-Pacific polyurethane raw material supply.
Polyurethane is produced by reacting polyols with diisocyanates such as MDI, TDI, or specialty isocyanates. The value chain includes crude oil or natural gas feedstocks, aromatic chemicals, isocyanate production, polyol production, additives, catalysts, blowing agents, polymer formation, foam or elastomer processing, and downstream use in insulation, furniture, bedding, automotive parts, footwear, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers.
Polyurethane is mainly used as flexible foam, rigid foam, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane elastomers, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and binders. Flexible foam is widely used in furniture, bedding, and automotive seating, while rigid foam is used in insulation panels, appliances, and construction. Thermoplastic polyurethane is used in footwear, cables, films, hoses, medical parts, and high-performance molded products.
Polyurethane demand is mainly driven by construction, furniture, bedding, automotive, appliances, footwear, packaging, electronics, coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and refrigeration. Construction uses rigid foam for insulation and energy efficiency, while furniture and bedding rely on flexible foam. Automotive demand comes from seating, interior cushioning, coatings, adhesives, elastomers, acoustic parts, and lightweight comfort materials.
A key 2026 policy development was the EU requirement for member states to transpose new occupational exposure limit values for diisocyanates by April 9, 2026. The new rules set an 8-hour time-weighted average occupational exposure limit of 6 µg NCO/m³. Since diisocyanates such as MDI and TDI are core polyurethane feedstocks, the measure increased compliance attention for handling, training, monitoring, and workplace controls.
Procurement Resource employs a structured methodology combining primary research, secondary market data, analytical models, and validation processes to assess polyurethane prices and trends. Price evaluations incorporate supply-demand dynamics, feedstock movements, trade flows, and value chain analysis, supported by continuous market monitoring to ensure accurate and reliable insights.
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