Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Overview

Colored polyurethane (PU) foams market size is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during 2022-2027. Polyurethane (PU) is created when isocyanate reacts with polyol. It becomes PU foam when gas is introduced, either by reaction of the isocyanate with water or using blowing agents. PU foams are colored not just for aesthetic reasons but also posses certain advantages such as they are waterproof and have better temperature tolerance. Adding color to polyurethane foams enhances the appeal and durability of goods by masking stains, yellowing, and surface damage. The colorant can be used as a paste of high-quality pigments dispersed in polyether polyol for coloring PU foams such as rigid foam, flexible foam, and spray foam or a liquid colorant can also be used. The rapid growth of the e-commerce sector has increased the demand for packaging, thereby, fueling the growth of the colored polyurethane (PU) foams market.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged many industries into challenging times. The construction industry has also experienced pitfalls. As countries across the globe introduced lockdowns and other restrictions, only essential work was allowed. Construction activities were banned in many places due to safety concerns and to curb the spread of infection. While in some places, construction of hospitals had to happen at a very rapid pace only taking about a few weeks. For instance, in February 2020, China built two hospitals in the pandemic's epicenter, Wuhan, in under two weeks to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients. The industry is also facing a shortage of basic raw materials such as sand, cement, and bricks and also labor shortage which is driving up the prices. For example, in the UK, a national shortage of plaster led to significantly increased costs. Due to an interrupted supply chain and employee shortages due to quarantines, many projects have been halted. A survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America found that 28% of their members claimed that because of COVID-19 they had halted or delayed projects in the US. This has also resulted in lower demand and consumption of colored polyurethane (PU) foams, to an extent.

Report Coverage

The report: “Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams industry.

By Product: Rigid Colored PU Foam, Flexible Colored PU Foam, and Colored Spray PU Foam

By Colorant Type: Pigment Paste, Liquid Color, and Others

By Application: Bedding, Cushioning, Insulation (Wall & Ceiling, Roof & Floor, and Others), Packaging, and Others

By End-Use Industry: Transport (Aerospace, Automotive, Locomotive and Marine), Packaging Industry (Electronics, Glassware, Industrial Parts, Appliances and Others), Furniture, Building & Construction (Residential, Commercial, and Infrastructure), Medical & Healthcare (Drug Delivery, Medical Devices, Wheelchair armrests, Seating, and Others), Footwear, and Others

By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa)

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams market, owing to the number of end-use industries in the region. According to the Packaging Industry Association of India (PIAI), the packaging sector is growing at a CAGR of 22% to 25%.
• Colored polyurethane foams are prepared by incorporating pigments into carrier polyols which are combined to initiate the formation of the foam. By this process, rigid foams and flexible foams can be colored.
• The major opportunity for this market is high research spending and developing eco-friendly products as PU foams majorly are petroleum-based. 

Figure: Asia-Pacific Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Segment Analysis – By Product

The flexible colored PU foam segment held the largest share in the colored polyurethane (PU) foams market in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. Flexible colored PU foam is commonly used in furniture, transport, and packaging. Color is a powerful marketing tool serves as a remembrance of the brand. Hence, flexible colored PU foam is widely used in the production of upholstery for seats, saddles, and backrests and seats in the automotive industry, shaped casings for the protection of delicate instruments, acoustic insulation, sponges for hygiene and personal care, mattresses, and pillows. The growth in the furniture industry is driven by growing investments in residential construction, backed by technological innovations providing highly robust, durable, air-permeable, and lightweight furniture. Growing demand for memory and viscoelastic foam in bedding and mattresses further drive the product demand. Hence, the flexible colored PU foam segment is expected to dominate the market.

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Segment Analysis – By Colorant Type

The pigment paste segment held the largest share of more than 40% in the colored polyurethane (PU) foams market in 2021. Colors for PU foams are a blend of high-quality pigments finely dispersed in polyether polyols for coloring PU foam of various densities. The choice of dispersing medium and chemical nature of the pigment is important. The polyol most commonly used as the dispersing agent is a polyether polyol as the carrier polyol as it becomes a fully integrated part of the foam. A wide range of colors such as red, black, blue, yellow, violet, green, orange, and their shades are available in the market. Colored PU Foams are preferred in applications such as cushioning, automotive accessories, packaging, upholstery, etc. Hence, the pigments paste segment is forecasted to continue to dominate the market.

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Segment Analysis – By Application

The insulation segment held the largest share of more than 35% in the colored polyurethane (PU) foams market in 2021. PU foams are preferred as they do not absorb moisture and act as a thermal insulator owing to their use in various applications such as insulation sheets for refrigerators, fillings for beds and cushions, seals, and gaskets. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in American homes each year. To maintain a uniform temperature, contractors prefer PU foams that can be used in roofs, walls, and windows for insulation and air barrier sealants. Colored PU foam can also help to enhance houses and building aesthetics. Rigid foam has special insulating properties that make it ideal in houses for walls and roofs, especially when remodeling a house. As the rigid Pu foam has high insulating quality, walls can be made thinner. Spray foam insulation can also minimize gaps and helps to seal irregular, hard to insulate spaces. Foam panels provide a wide range of wall and roof colors thus enhancing the visual appeal of the house. Owing to this, the insulation segment is projected to rise in the forecast period. 

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Segment Analysis – By End-Use Industry

The transport segment held the largest share in the colored polyurethane (PU) foams market in 2021. Colored PU foams are durable, strong and have good temperature tolerance, these properties make them suitable for cushioning and upholstery. In the automobile industry apart from cushioning, they also serve as insulation materials. PU foams being lightweight are increasingly being used to replace metal parts. This contributes to reducing the weight of the vehicle, thereby improving fuel efficiency and lowering emission levels. Post pandemic the automobile industry is on a recovery track. For instance, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the number of vehicles produced from January to June in 2020 stood at 31.22 million whereas the number of vehicles produced during the same period in 2021 is 40.34 million. As the production of automotives picks up, the demand for colored PU foam is also expected to rise.

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share more than 45% in the Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams market in 2021, owing to the various end-use industries in the region. This region has diverse end-use industries such as furniture, packaging, construction and automotive which consume a high amount of colored PU foams. Rigid PU foams are used as thermal insulators for building and construction use. According to the International Trade Administration, China is the world’s largest construction market. In 2020, China decided to invest heavily in construction. To mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, China was on a fast track to implement major infrastructure projects. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved 65 fixed-asset investment projects worth over US$70 billion. In 2020, China launched the New Infrastructure plan to offset the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and boost sustainable growth. New Infrastructure projects will focus on the construction of seven areas such as 5G networks, industrial internet, inter-city transportation, and inner-city rail systems, data centers, artificial intelligence, ultra-high voltage, and new energy vehicle charging stations. Thus, the Asia-Pacific region is set to witness a growth in construction, thereby also fueling the demand for colored PU foams in the region.  

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market Drivers

• Increasing Consumption from Packaging Sector

During 2020, the population was confined indoors to mitigate the spread of the virus. Work from home and online classes became the norm. To adapt to this, various electronics such as computers, laptops, peripherals, etc, were required but the majority of the stores were shut down. Supermarkets and hypermarkets only had a limited quantity restricted to one quantity per customer and stocks soon ran out leaving people to order these things online. The e-commerce sector grew leaps and bounds in 2020 thanks to all the online orders from groceries to electronics. Sales of electronics also surged. According to the International Data Corporation, in Q4 2020, global shipments of PCs (desktops, laptops, and workstations) grew 26.1% YoY to 91.6 million units. The same category of devices grew 13.1% year over year for the full year 2020 with the catalysts being work from home, remote learning, and restored consumer demand. PU foam is widely used in packaging and is especially useful for delicate and lightweight items, or those very sensitive to vibration. It is the most widely used packaging for electronics. PU foam absorbs shock and compresses quickly to prevent the packaged product from being damaged. Hence the rising demand for electronics through e-commerce acts as a driver for the packaging sector and therefore also for the colored PU foams market. 

• Development of Eco-friendly Foams

Polyurethanes (PUs) are one of the most versatile polymers and are widely used as rigid and flexible foams and other products. PUs are generally synthesized through reactions between isocyanates and polyols. Currently, most polyols are petroleum-based, but increasing concerns over the depletion of petroleum resources, environment, and sustainability have led to considerable efforts to develop bio-based polyols and PUs from renewable resources. Previous biobased polyols had various shortcomings such as poor performance, color, poor chemical reactivity, etc. resulting in foam with inferior properties. Several new developments by various companies have helped overcome these shortcomings. For instance, Cargill has successfully developed biobased polyols for several polyurethane applications, including flexible foams. Cargill’s BiOH polyols are soy-based ingredients for flexible foam in upholstered furniture, mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, carpets, cushions, and automotive seats. Foams containing these polyols retain their color longer without ultraviolet stabilizers. They also are superior to foams containing only petroleum-based polyols in standard tests. Thus, such developments also act as a driver for the colored polyurethane (PU) market.

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Market – Challenges

• Flammability of Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams

Polyurethane foams are widely used in beddings and furniture as mattresses pillows, cushions, sponges, and insulation and as structural materials in buildings. One of the biggest disadvantages of rigid PU foams is their low thermal resistance, high flammability, and high smoke production when burning. PU materials are obtained in the chemical reaction of hydroxyl derivatives, namely polyols and isocyanates. PU foams based on petrochemical and bio-based polyols are ignitable and can be an additional fuel source in the case of a fire disaster. This is a serious concern and restricts the PU material application. Test methods have been introduced to classify the fire behavior of foam and legislation has been introduced in various countries to ensure that the foam complies with these fire standards. An example of this is British Standard 5852 on which the United Kingdom bedding and furniture legislation is based. Such factors have become the major challenge of Colored Polyurethane (PU) foams in terms of consumption, which constrains the growth of the market.

Colored Polyurethane (PU) Foams Industry Outlook

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in this market. Colored Polyurethane (PU) foams market top  10 companies include:

1. BASF SE
2. The Dow Chemical Company
3. Huntsman Corporation
4. Recticel S.A.
5. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
6. Bayer Material Science AG
7. Stepan Company
8. Rogers Corporation
9. INOAC Corporation
10. Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.

Recent Developments

• In September 2021, KPX Chemical, a leading polyols producer for polyurethanes in Korea, and Huntsman Corporation, a world-leading MDI-based polyurethanes and specialty chemical manufacturer, announced the establishment of a joint venture which will create and provide innovative polyurethane system solutions to Korean automakers from a specialty polyurethanes manufacturing facility at KPX Chemical's Ulsan plant. 

Relevant Reports

Aerospace Foam Market- Forecast (2021-2026) 

Report Code: CMR 0191

Foam Insulation Market- Forecast (2021 - 2026)

Report Code: CMR 95161 

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