Material Insights · Understanding the Material World

Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols): Relationships

Every element and industry that Polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols) is linked to, and how. Each pair has its own card explaining the relationships between the two.

  • Chlorine: MDI and TDI, the isocyanate half of polyurethanes, are made with phosgene from chlorine and carbon monoxide. The chlorine does not stay in the foam: it leaves as hydrogen chloride, which plants recycle to chlorine or sell, so isocyanate complexes are built beside chlor-alkali or HCl recovery units. (researched)
  • Natural gas: Natural gas is a raw material for polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols); their prices have moved together.
  • Adhesives and sealants: Their prices have moved together.
  • Aerospace and defence: Aerospace and defence depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Apparel and footwear: Apparel and footwear depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Benzene: Their prices have moved together.
  • Building materials: Building materials depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Construction and infrastructure: Construction and infrastructure depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Crude oil: Crude oil is a raw material for polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Food and beverage processing: Food and beverage processing depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Formaldehyde: Their prices have moved together.
  • Furniture: Furniture depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration: Their prices have moved together.
  • Hospitality and tourism: Hospitality and tourism depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Hydrochloric acid: Their prices have moved together.
  • Media and entertainment: Media and entertainment depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Medical devices: Medical devices depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Metal products: Metal products depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Nitric acid: Their prices have moved together.
  • Propylene oxide: Their prices have moved together.
  • Salt: Salt is a raw material for polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Toluene: Their prices have moved together.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Wholesale and retail trade depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).
  • Wood products: Wood products depends on polyurethanes (MDI, TDI, polyols).