Polyurethane insulation materials are currently facing both opportunities and challenges in the Chinese market. At the 2013 China International New Material Exhibition, companies specializing in polyurethane insulation and manufacturing equipment made up nearly half of the participants. A representative from a polyurethane insulation company told a reporter that the demand for these materials has seen a significant increase this year. With the government pushing for green and energy-efficient buildings, the future of polyurethane insulation looks very promising.
One of the key advantages of rigid polyurethane foam is its excellent thermal insulation properties, with a heat transfer coefficient as low as 0.017–0.024, which is better than most other insulation materials. Additionally, improved polyurethane products emit less smoke and toxins, making them environmentally friendly. Even in the event of a fire, their high-efficiency carbide layer helps protect the environment. These materials also offer strong adhesion, stability, and coverage, reducing risks like wall detachment or water leakage. Their waterproofing, sound insulation, and vibration absorption features make them an ideal choice for green construction.
In January of this year, the State Council issued the "Green Building Action Plan," calling for stricter enforcement of energy efficiency standards. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, China aims to build 1 billion square meters of new green buildings and retrofit over 100 million square meters of existing residential buildings in northern heating areas. Industry experts believe that the push for green buildings will greatly benefit the application of polyurethane insulation materials.
As global trends shift toward energy conservation and emission reduction, building energy efficiency standards are expected to rise. This means that new types of exterior wall insulation materials with good fire resistance and environmental benefits will have more opportunities. In recent years, the consumption of polyurethane insulation has shown a steady upward trend, growing at an average annual rate of 16% between 2005 and 2010.
Despite its advantages, polyurethane insulation still holds less than 10% of the Chinese building energy-saving material market, compared to over 57% in the U.S. and 32% in Japan. The high cost of B1-grade polyurethane boards—around 1800 yuan per cubic meter—makes it less competitive against cheaper alternatives like XPS and EPS. However, the market potential in China remains huge, with industry expectations that the external wall insulation market could reach 100 billion yuan during the 12th Five-Year Plan period.
Foreign manufacturers such as BASF, Huntsman, and Bayer are increasingly focusing on the Chinese market, recognizing its growing demand. However, some challenges remain. Misunderstandings about polyurethane insulation have arisen due to incidents like the Shanghai fire in 2010 and the CCTV building fire. Experts suggest that these issues were largely due to improper installation rather than the material itself. If installed correctly, even B1 and B2 grade polyurethane can be safe.
Industry analysts also point out that many polyurethane products on the market do not meet safety standards. Some manufacturers cut corners to reduce costs, leading to unqualified products. Authorities must strengthen oversight to ensure quality and safety. Additionally, limited public awareness and the prevalence of fake products have hindered the industry's growth.
Looking ahead, the development of polyurethane insulation materials is moving towards composite modularization. Companies are now producing B1-grade core materials coated with flame-retardant inorganic materials to meet higher safety standards. Modular production methods, including fireproof sub-warehouses and block-based insulation walls, are also gaining traction. These innovations aim to enhance fire protection while maintaining insulation performance.
With the implementation of stricter energy efficiency standards, such as Beijing’s 75% requirement, the demand for polyurethane insulation is expected to grow. Industry projections suggest that by 2015, the market share could reach 30–40%. While challenges remain, the industry sees this as a critical time to improve production processes, enhance safety, and seize the growing opportunities in the green building sector.
Hubei Chengze Diamod Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.ryomaltools.com