Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols): Feedstocks
Three chains feed it: aromatics, nitric acid, chlorine
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.Isocyanates sit on three chains: benzene or toluene from refineries, nitric acid from ammonia, and chlorine from salt and power. Polyols sit on propylene. Integration decides who wins: Wanhua and BASF make their own aniline, nitric acid, chlorine and PO at the same sites, and recycle the HCl. A stand-alone isocyanate plant is not viable.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Crude oil | about 0.62 t per t MDI (stoichiometric) | aromatic backbone | aniline is about 74% of MDI GWP and the largest cost item (ISOPA; cost share indicative) | ISOPA eco-profile 2021; stoichiometry |
| Oil Crude oil | about 0.53 t per t TDI (stoichiometric) | aromatic backbone | nitric acid plus toluene are about 50% of TDI GWP (ISOPA) | ISOPA eco-profile 2021; stoichiometry |
| NaCl Salt | about 0.57 t per t MDI and 0.82 t per t TDI (stoichiometric) | phosgenation; returns as HCl | low net cost when HCl is recycled (indicative) | chlorine tile; stoichiometry |
| Gas Natural gas | about 0.72 t per t TDI; about 0.5 t per t MDI via nitrobenzene (stoichiometric) | nitration | not published | stoichiometry |
| Oil Crude oil | about 0.85-0.95 t per t flexible polyol (indicative) | polyol chain | PO is 74-82% of polyol GWP (ISOPA) and most of polyol cost (indicative) | ISOPA polyols eco-profile 2021; PO tile |
| Gas Natural gas | about 0.12 t formaldehyde per t MDI (stoichiometric); CO for phosgene | MDA condensation; phosgene | small (indicative) | stoichiometry |
Who is low-cost, and why
Wanhua's integrated Chinese and Hungarian sites are the low-cost producers and ran at about 90% in 2025 while BASF and Covestro ran at about 70-75% (faxiangongchang). US Gulf plants have cheap gas for nitric acid and power. European plants pay the most for energy and carbon.
Raw materials on the commodity table
Oil Crude oilGas Natural gasNaCl SaltWhat it is made into
| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| Adh Adhesives and sealants | PU adhesives and sealants |
| Pnt Paints and coatings | isocyanate hardeners |
| Con Construction chemicals | spray foam, sealants, waterproofing |