# Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols): Feedstocks

Three chains feed it: aromatics, nitric acid, chlorine

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/feedstocks/

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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/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 oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[Gas Natural gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/natural_gas/)[NaCl Salt](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/salt/)

#### What it is made into

| Product | Note |
|---|---|
| [Adh Adhesives and sealants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/adhesives/) | PU adhesives and sealants |
| [Pnt Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/) | isocyanate hardeners |
| [Con Construction chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/construction_chemicals/) | spray foam, sealants, waterproofing |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/production/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/links/index.md)