# Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols)

Foams, coatings and elastomers made by reacting isocyanates (MDI, TDI) with polyols; vital for insulation and furniture, and India imports most of its supply.

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

Pseudo-commodities · Resins & fibres · No. 61

- Single chemical
- Feedstock: Oil, gas or coal
- about 25 Mt a year of polyurethane raw materials (2025, indicative, basis: MDI demand 8.6 Mt + TDI about 3.3 Mt + polyols about 11 Mt + additives and blowing agents)
- 3.2 t CO₂e per t
- HS 390950, 390720
 Pseudo-commodities · Resins & fibres · Foundation · Matter

Your mattress and fridge insulation are made on the spot by mixing two liquids, one built using phosgene, a former war gas.

Chart: Illustration: Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols)

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Benzene or toluene is turned into amines, then reacted with phosgene made on site. The isocyanate is mixed with a polyol from propylene oxide where the foam is made.

##### Three things to know

1. MDI is an oligopoly: five producers hold over 90% of capacity, and Wanhua alone has 3.8 Mt a year.
2. India imported about 500 kt of polyether polyols in 2024 against about 77 kt of domestic capacity, and has no MDI plant.
3. Isocyanates are the leading cause of occupational asthma, so handling rules are strict.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Benzene or toluene**0.62 t benzene per tonne MDI
2. 2 **Amines**Nitrated and hydrogenated to aniline or TDA
3. 3 **Phosgenation**Made on site, turned into isocyanates
4. 4 **Polyols**Propylene oxide added to glycerine or sugar
5. 5 **Foam line**Mixed at the factory into foam

##### Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full

## Other sections

- [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)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyurethanes/feedstocks/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)