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Amino resins are thermosetting polymers, with the most important amino compounds being urea and melamine. This report focuses on urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins. The two types of resins are discussed separately, but overall, demand for amino resins, particularly for use as adhesives in wood products, is dependent on the level of construction activity and on the overall health of regional economies.
Capacity expansions have taken place mostly in Asia (excluding Japan), in order to meet increasing demand from the wood panel industry—primarily particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). No major capacity expansions are planned in the developed regions in the next five years. Capacity will most likely increase in Asia (excluding Japan) and Central and Eastern Europe.
Key findings in the overall UF resins market include the following:
- A significant decrease in construction activity, a weak economy and the decreased production of particleboard and MDF contributed to a decrease in UF resin consumption in North America in the latter part of 2006 and 2007.
- An improved economy, strong construction and remodeling activity and a revitalization in the furniture sector boosted UF resin consumption for panel boards in Western Europe during 2002–2007.
- Asia has become a much larger player in the UF resins market as more particleboard and MDF are being produced in the region. In Japan the demand for urea resins in the wood industry has declined, mostly because of increased imports of cheaper finished wood products.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of melamine-formaldehyde resins:
Key findings in the overall MF resins market include the following:
- North American demand for MF resins, driven by laminates and surface coatings, was negatively impacted by the weak economy, decreased construction and remodeling activity, and declining automobile production.
- Consumption of MF resins in molding compounds in the United States has been declining as a result of imports of finished molded products and competing resins.
- In Western Europe, laminate and adhesive applications accounted for most of the growth in MF resin consumption, driven by increased MDF production, which in turn was fueled by increased production of laminate flooring.
- During the last five years, consumption of MF resins has slowed compared with previous years as more finished products have been imported into Western Europe from Eastern Europe and Asia.
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