Polyurethane Technology International Forum 2024 (PTIF 2024), co-organized by Shanghai Polyurethane Industry Association, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and Suntower Consulting Limited, and sponsored by industry giants such as Huntsman, Changhua Chemical, Hebei Yadong Chemical Group, Jiangsu Maysta Chemical, Hefei Poly Material Technology, and Xiamen Kaiping Chemical, was held in Shanghai, China from May 22 to 24.
Centered around the theme of “Green, Energy-Efficient, and Sustainable”, this forum attracted global leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs in the polyurethane industry. Over 300 delegates from renowned companies, research institutions, industry associations, and universities such as Wanhua Chemical, BASF, Covestro, Dow, Henkel, SAIC, FAW, CNOOC & Shell, IKEA, China Academy of Building Research, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry, East China University of Science and Technology, EGIDA, JBLD International, Synergy Poly Additives, King Global, ISOPA, Carandem Solutions, VK GLOBAL, Nanotech and many more, attended the event. They gathered together to discuss cutting-edge technologies, market trends, and the future path of sustainable development in the polyurethane industry.
The CEO Roundtable, held in the afternoon of May 22, officially kicked off this event. Nearly 50 business leaders in the polyurethane industry attended the forum and shared their insights on key issues such as sustainable development, circular economy, and low carbon emission. They discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by the polyurethane sector in carbon reduction, circular economy, legal compliance, industry certification standards, and more.
In the following two days, the forum focused on polyurethane and sustainable development, cutting-edge applications of polyurethane, polyurethane solutions in green buildings, and polyurethane applications in new energy vehicles. Through activities such as keynote speeches, buyers delegation negotiation meetings, panel discussions, university-industry collaboration achievements transformation exhibitions, the forum aimed to facilitate precise coordination between upstream and downstream participants in the polyurethane industry chain, effective commercialization of academic achievements, and close collaboration within the industrial ecosystem.
At 9 a.m. on May 23, the forum was opened by Gu Hui, executive vice president of Shanghai Polyurethane Industry Association, Li Guisheng, dean of the School of Materials and Chemistry at USST, and Cheng Guowen, general manager at Suntower. They all emphasized that the forum, with the theme of “Green, Energy-Efficient, and Sustainable”, aligns with current global trends and demands. The polyurethane industry, as a crucial part of modern chemical engineering, plays a significant role in supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy, improving energy efficiency, and advancing environmental protection. They hoped that this forum would further promote technological innovation and industrial cooperation, and drive the green transformation and sustainable development of the polyurethane industry.
Subsequently, invited guests delivered keynote speeches. Jörg Palmersheim, Secretary General at ISOPA, offered an in-depth analysis of EU’s new REACH Restriction on diisocyanates, including the EU regulatory framework, the REACH Regulation, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), and new Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for diisocyanates and other industry standards. Mr. Jörg Palmersheim stated that the diisocyanate sector in Europe is at a critical stage for promoting the circular economy and environmental technologies. He called for timely regulatory support and incentives from the EU for key technologies to enhance recycling capacity and efficiency. He also highlighted ongoing EU reforms regarding risks in chemical production and usage, emphasizing product safety, adopting effective measures to promote sustainable development, and maximizing the recycling of diisocyanate products.
Philipp Propst, Project Manager for Polyurethane at IAL Consultants, delivered a presentation on the strategic overview of the global polyurethane market, with a focus on the European and North American regions. He meticulously analyzed the production status and market dynamics of flexible foam, rigid foam, and CASE in the polyurethane markets of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Additionally, he briefly discussed the application scenarios of polyurethane materials in key industries in these regions, and their market demand, changes in the supply chain, and the primary trends in technological development.
Timofey Kalinin, Head of Innovation at EGIDA, presented a forward-looking analysis of the future flexible PU foam market in Eastern Europe. He noted that Russia held a significant market share in the Eastern European flexible foam market in 2023 and expected this market to continue growing. However, the market might face a series of critical challenges in the second half of 2024. Going forward, various factors such as fluctuations in mortgage loan numbers, adjustments in government investment policies, and rapid growth in online sales will significantly impact the Eastern European flexible PU foam market. Among these factors, stable raw material supply will play a crucial role in the healthy development of the industry.
Stefan Hermes, VP Foam Supply Chain & Operations at King Global, gave a keynote report on Environment, Health and Safety in the PU industry in Asia. He elaborated on the importance of environmental sustainability, staff health, and safety standards in the production process of polyurethanes. He also shared the innovative initiatives and strategic insights by King Global in this field.
Liu Yaoyao, Chief Market Analyst at Suntower, provided a detailed analysis of the current status and development trends of the polyurethane industry in the Asia-Pacific region. She mentioned that the polyurethane market in the Asia-Pacific region is full of opportunities. While China will continue to play a leading role, the potential of emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and India will gradually be unleashed. Faced with geopolitical risks and uncertainties like pandemics, industry participants need to strengthen R&D, enhance product quality, expand international markets to address market challenges, and seize development opportunities. Simultaneously, both governments and businesses need to enhance cooperation to jointly promote the sustained and healthy development of the polyurethane market in the Asia-Pacific region.
Klaus-Dieter Schoen, Technology Expert at Changhua Chemical, introduced the company’s Carnol® carbon dioxide-based polyol to the participants. The launch of Carnol® not only demonstrates Changhua Chemical’s firm commitment to environmental protection but also brings tangible economic benefits to the company. With the growing need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, the prospects for Carnol® are very promising globally, especially in China.
Yang Jinshi, Head of Marketing Department at Hefei Poly Material Technology, delved deep into how polycarbonate ether (PCE) provide excellent performance while achieving significant carbon-neutral benefits. PCE demonstrates outstanding performance in heat resistance, water resistance, tensile strength, among other aspects. Its unique carbonic acid substructure endows products with excellent hydrolytic stability. The independent development of this technology not only showcases the company’s innovative capabilities in the field of environmental technology but also provides strong support in achieving carbon neutrality goals.
Professor Jia Runping from Shanghai Institute of Technology interpreted the synthesis and application of waterborne nano narrow-band functional polyurethane resin. She emphasized that low-viscosity and high-solid-content waterborne polyurethane resins are still rare within the current industry, indicating tremendous development potential. With ongoing technological advancements and growing market demands, mastering waterborne technology will become crucial for industry development.
Yang Lei, Product Engineer at IKEA, engaged in a discussion on green manufacturing and circular economy in the furniture sector. He said that IKEA has kept exploration and innovation on the path of sustainable development. By optimizing product design and material selection, promoting mattress recycling, and enhancing product traceability and analysis, they strive to provide more valuable products to consumers while actively reducing environmental impact.
Matching supply and demand has always been a pressing issue in the polyurethane industry. The current forum hosted a Buyers Delegation Negotiation Meeting on the afternoon of May 23, providing an efficient platform bridging the gap between buyers and suppliers. It attracted high-quality material suppliers, processors, OEMs, traders, and end customers from around the globe. The meeting adopted a one-on-one negotiation model, ensuring that both suppliers and buyers could engage in in-depth and effective communication. Participants at the forum expressed that the negotiation meeting not only provided valuable networking opportunities within the industry but also facilitated cooperation and win-win outcomes.
On May 24, the sections “Green and Energy-efficient Polyurethane Solutions for Buildings” and “Polyurethane and New Energy Vehicle Applications” were held as scheduled. Ji Guangqi, Senior Engineer at China Academy of Building Research Fire Institute, gave a keynote speech on Flame Retardant Research on External Wall Insulation Materials and shared his insights of the latest trends in external wall insulation technology in China. Mr. Ji stated that China is moving towards efficient external wall insulation technology under the dual carbon goals. To ensure building performance and fire safety, mature external insulation systems should be selected, and meet national building fire safety requirements. Currently, thin-plastering external insulation system is widely used both domestically and internationally due to its efficiency, environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and safety.
Yuan Qi, Chief Engineer at China Institute of Building Standard Design and Research, delivered a presentation on Enhanced Standard for Polyurethane Rigid Foam Systems for Construction. The concept of green buildings has expanded from “energy-saving, land-saving, water-saving, material-saving, and reducing pollutant emissions” to include “safety, durability, health, comfort, convenience, resource conservation, and environmental livability”. Throughout the entire lifecycle of buildings, from design, construction, operation to demolition, their performance should be optimized to minimize negative impacts on the natural environment and reduce resource wastage.
Yue Yuan, Deputy Chief Engineer at Low Carbon Green Development Institute of China Academy of Building Research, delivered a speech entitled the Development Trend of “Good Housing” Green Buildings in China. She provided a deep analysis of the future directions of building development and emphasized that good housing should align with the new era’s architectural principles of being “economical, practical, green, and aesthetically pleasing”, centered around people’s needs and experiences. Furthermore, good housing should continuously enhance its comprehensive performance and elevate standards from the fundamentals - safety, health, low carbon, and intelligence.
Wang Shen, Market Development Manager of Polyurethanes Division at Huntsman in Greater China, provided a detailed introduction to Terolux® polyester polyols. Huntsman has always adhered to greater sustainability and focused on addressing the complex issue of PET recycling across different eras. Empowered by innovation to drive green upgrades throughout the industry chain, Huntsman is partnering with sustainable pioneers to move towards a low-carbon future together.
Dr. Zhang Yuedong, Head of Maysta Chemical Innovation Center, thoroughly analyzed the application of high-performance polyurethane environmental additives in the insulation industry. He mentioned that continuous innovation is still required in areas such as raw material selection and synthesis processes in order to achieve the goal of green chemistry. Promoting the use of more environmentally friendly materials like bio-based raw materials and developing more eco-friendly synthetic technologies will be crucial for the future development of the industry. Industry participants should deepen cooperation and collectively advance the development of green chemistry so as to achieve the goal of sustainability.
Spray foam is also indispensable in the construction sector. Miro Donabedian, General Manager at Interplast, presented an in-depth analysis of the company’s sustainable and innovative rigid spray foam system applications. He emphasized that closed-cell spray foam systems offer immense value compared to other insulation materials, making them an ideal choice for insulation and waterproofing, especially in building envelope, interior walls, and composite roof. With unique advantages and diverse applications, the company’s sustainable and innovative spray foam systems are expected to rapidly replace 141b spray foam systems in the near future.
Qi Shijun, General Manager at HEADSTREAM Shanghai Branch, shared the application of rigid polyurethane foam in building enclosure systems. He introduced HEADSTREAM’s insulated metal sandwich panel solution, revealing its unique performance advantages and providing a detailed interpretation of the product’s applications in animal husbandry, cold storage, indoor ski slopes, and industrial building exteriors.
Zhu Yi, Senior Director at Institute of Materials and Lightweight Research of China First Auto Works Group, gave a speech outlining the demand for and development trends of polyurethane materials in new energy vehicles. He said that polyurethane is a versatile and dynamic organic polymer material, known as the “fifth major plastic”, and one of the fastest-growing special organic resins. The polyurethane industry in China is growing rapidly, making it the world’s largest producer and consumer of polyurethane. He hoped that polyurethane materials can be diversified and enhanced in performance through the joint efforts of experts at home and abroad, realizing more applications in automobiles to support the “New Four Modernizations” of automobiles.
Pan Lihua, Chairman of Joyvie, delivered an insightful presentation on the development, application, and prospects analysis of TPU car wraps. She highlighted that the general heat rejection rate for window films and paint protection films in new energy vehicles is currently around 50%. She predicted a 2-3 year window of opportunity in the retail market. The key to seizing these opportunities lies in targeted product portfolios, marketing strategies, and customer sources.
Shu Xingwen, General Manager at Kaiping Chemical, delved into the application and development of release agents in the field of new energy vehicles. Release agents have played a significant role in enhancing the production efficiency of new energy vehicles. He claimed that the company’s release agents, known for their safety, environmental friendliness, and ease of use, fully meet the production requirements for the interiors of new energy vehicles. He observed that reducing the VOCs and odor of release agents further, developing water-based release agents, and applying them to other areas will be the focal points of research and development for release agent manufacturers.
Regarding the progress in the synthesis and application of polymer polyols, Song Fen from Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry stated that traditional petro-based polyurethane suppliers face more challenges in meeting China’s dual carbon targets, while bio-based polymer polyols are one of the trending products in the future. Moreover, low-VOC and flame-retardant functional polymer polyols will be a future research focus.
Quan Peng, Assistant Researcher from Quzhou Research Institute of Zhejiang University, gave an online presentation on the direct recycling of high-quality industrial lignin and its application in flexible polyurethane foam. He not only revealed the scientific principles behind the direct recycling and controlled synthesis of lignin-based flexible polyurethane foam but also envisioned the possibility of customizing lignin based on application requirements in the future.
Li Zeyang, market manager at Shanghai Eton Polymer, offered a detailed analysis of the widespread application of thermoplastic elastomers in the field of new energy vehicles. He provided an in-depth introduction to the unique characteristics of their thermoplastic elastomer products such as TPU, TPEE, TPS, TPV, and TPO, showcasing through specific examples the excellent performance of these materials in automotive exteriors, interiors, and functional components.
Zhang Meng, Researcher at Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, gave a detailed presentation on preparation and application of non-grain-based polyols and polyurethane materials. He systematically introduced bio-based polyols, bio-based isocyanates, bio-based platform compounds, bio-based flame retardants, and bio-based functional polyurethanes.
Yang Longfei, Technical Manager at Zhongtian Kosen Technology, delivered a speech on innovative applications of aliphatic TPU in the field of films, interpreting the characteristics and application scenarios of Zhongtian Kosen’s aliphatic polycaprolactone adipate TPU, aliphatic polyether-based TPU, and aliphatic polyester-based TPU.
Dr. Feng Yanli from Dow Chemical delivered a remarkable speech on the technical status and development trends of polyurethane applications in new energy vehicles from the perspective of patent applications. She shared insights on patent, technology life cycle, distribution of patents, key technical terms and more. She mentioned that the application of polyurethanes in new energy vehicles is currently in a growth phase. For battery components and materials, manufacturers are focusing on reducing costs, lightweighting, enhancing flame retardancy, improving heat resistance, and facilitating assembly and disassembly.
Panel discussions - “Polyurethane Solutions for Green Buildings” and “Exploring Polyurethane Solutions for New Energy Vehicles” - were held on the same day. The panel discussion with the theme of “Polyurethane Solutions for Green Buildings” was chaired by Liu Weidong, secretary general at Polyurethane Products Committee of China Plastic Processing Industry Association. Industry elites from China Institute of Building Standard Design and Research, Low Carbon Green Development Institute of China Academy of Building Research, Wanhua Chemical, Covestro, and Sanjie Thermoelectric Technology were invited to discuss the current status, opportunities, and prospects of polyurethane applications in green buildings. The guest speakers delivered their viewpoints on the national green building development plan, shared application cases and new products of polyurethane materials in energy-saving insulation, and discussed the role of the polyurethane industry in promoting the development of green buildings.
From left to right: Liu Weidong, secretary general at Polyurethane Products Committee of China Plastic Processing Industry Association; Yuan Qi, chief engineer at China Institute of Building Standard Design and Research; Yue Yuan, deputy chief engineer at Low Carbon Green Development Institute of China Academy of Building Research; Jin Yanli, market manager of Polyurethane Division at Wanhua Chemical; Jiang Tao, manager of Sustainability & Public Affairs at Covestro; and Chen Yingzan, technical director at Sanjie Thermoelectric Technology.
The other panel discussion on “Exploring Polyurethane Solutions for New Energy Vehicles” was hosted by Li Wei, deputy general manager at ColorSaint (Shanghai) New Material Co.,Ltd. Key speakers from China First Auto Works Group, Magna Seating R&D (Chongqing) Co., Ltd., Kaping Chemical, Changhua Chemical, and Suntower delved into the innovative application and future trends of polyurethane materials in new energy vehicles. They shared their research findings and market observations on aspects such as automotive lightweighting, passenger comfort improvement, low VOC, and low odor, and discussed the challenges faced by new energy vehicles manufacturers and potential solutions containing polyurethane materials.
From left to right: Li Wei, deputy general manager at ColorSaint (Shanghai) New Material Co., Ltd; Zhu Yi, senior director at Institute of Materials and Lightweight Research of China First Auto Works Group; Klaus-Dieter Schoen, technology expert at Changhua Chemical; Shu Xingwen, general manager at Kaiping Chemical; Dai Jianbin, manager of Foam Technology Department at Magna Seating R&D (Chongqing) Co., Ltd.; and Tang Jiqin, deputy general manager at Suntower.
The forum was hosted by Li Shengjuan, vice dean of the School of Materials and Chemistry at USST, industry expert Cui Xiaoming, and Li Wei, deputy general manager at ColorSaint (Shanghai) New Material Co.,Ltd.
As the sun gradually slanted westward, the three-day event successfully concluded amidst thunderous applause. Continuing the success of previous editions, the forum garnered widespread acclaim from attendees for its rich array of activities and forward-looking discussions. Looking towards the future, the organizers look forward to more technological innovation and cross-border collaborations in the polyurethane field, shaping a greener, more energy-efficient, and sustainable industrial landscape.
Polyurethane Technology International Forum 2025 is scheduled to be held in May next year. The forum will maintain its forward-looking approach and focus on cutting-edge industry topics to provide attendees with a feast of intellectual collisions and a platform for knowledge exchange. We look forward to the next meeting, where we can collectively write a new chapter in the field of polyurethane!
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