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Home > News > Chemicals

(Focus) Why US tariffs target Chinese MDI?

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2025-02-19 Editor ：VC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) is a chemical material that may seem unfamiliar but is actually ubiquitous in our daily lives. Pure MDI is typically used to produce spandex or elastomer prepolymers, while polymeric MDI is mainly used for polyurethane foaming. It is indispensable from refrigerator insulation layers to car seats, and even to energy-saving materials used in buildings.

 

MDI has recently aroused much public concern because of a petition from the US that requests an antidumping investigation into imports of MDI from China. BASF Corp (Florham Park, New Jersey) and Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan) filed the petition, citing dumping margins of 305.81% to 507.13% for the MDI imported from China, according to the statement of the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

 

The petition named producers BASF Polyurethane (Chongqing), Covestro Polymers (China), Shanghai Lianheng Isocyanate, Wanhua Chemical Group, and Wanhua Chemical Ningbo as allegedly dumping MDI into the US.

 

The MDI involved in the petition includes polymeric, monomeric, or modified MDI. The scope also includes products matching the description that has been processed in a third country.

 

The investigations will be conducted by two US federal agencies. The ITC will investigate whether the subject imports have retarded the development of the domestic industry. The US Department of Commerce (DOC) will investigate whether the subject imports are being sold to the US at less than fair value or benefit from unfair government subsidies.


Dow_MDI_480.jpg

Dow operates MDI distillation and prepolymers facility at its US manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas.

Industrial landscapes of MDI in US and China

 

Why did the companies initiate an antidumping investigation against Chinese MDI? The answer resides in the uniqueness of MDI and the current industrial landscapes of both countries. 

 

In recent years, the rapid increase in consumer demand in various areas such as energy-efficient insulation materials for buildings, new energy vehicles, white goods, formaldehyde-free boards, cold chain containers, and photovoltaic frames has significantly driven up the market demand for MDI materials. 

 

Though the US is one of the world's major MDI producers, its domestic demand has long exceeded its production capacity, resulting in a high reliance on imported MDI. 

 

According to market research data, the US produced 1.63 million tons of MDI in 2024, which could not meet its domestic demand of 1.83 million tons. Meanwhile, China is the world’s largest MDI producer, with its MDI production capacity reached 4.77 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.2%.

 

China is the primary source of MDI imports for the US. According to Chinese customs data, China exported 233,000 tons of polymeric MDI to the US from January to October in 2024. 

 

Competitive advantages of Chinese MDI production

 

Adsale Plastics Network observes that Chinese chemical companies, represented by Wanhua Chemical, have gained competitive advantages in MDI capacity, technology, and cost through continuous independent and innovative R&D in recent years. 

 

In terms of production capacity, Wanhua Chemical currently has an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons, accounting for approximately 32%-35% of the global MDI production capacity, making it the world's largest MDI producer. 

 

By 2027, Wanhua Chemical's MDI annual capacity is expected to increase to 5.3 million tons, with its global share exceeding 42%. 


Wanhua_2_480.jpg

Wanhua Chemical’s latest MDI technology offers environmental and energy-saving advantages.

 

Traditional giants like BASF and Covestro have seen stagnant capacity growth in recent years due to the European energy crisis and cost pressures, with some facilities even shutting down. BASF has recently expanded its MDI capacity in Chongqing and Shanghai, China, with its global annual capacity expected to reach 2.23 million tons.

 

Additionally, in terms of technological innovation, Wanhua Chemical and other Chinese chemical companies continue to make breakthroughs and advancements.

 

Highly concentrated production capacity

 

Due to the highly complicated production technology and significant technical barriers, the global production capacity of MDI is highly concentrated. 

 

According to statistics from Orisage Consulting, the global MDI production capacity in 2024 reached 10.95 million tons, increasing by 5.8% year-on-year. Eight companies, including Wanhua Chemical, BASF, and Dow Chemical, account for over 90% of the global MDI production capacity: 

 

∎ Wanhua Chemical: 3.5 million tons 

∎ BASF: 2.02 million tons 

∎ Covestro: 1.77 million tons 

∎ Huntsman: 1.37 million tons 

∎ Dow Chemical: 1.11 million tons 

∎ Mitsui Chemicals: 610,000 tons 

∎ Dongcao Chemical: 470,000 tons  

∎ Iran Karoon: 40,000 tons 


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Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2025-02-19 Editor ：VC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) is a chemical material that may seem unfamiliar but is actually ubiquitous in our daily lives. Pure MDI is typically used to produce spandex or elastomer prepolymers, while polymeric MDI is mainly used for polyurethane foaming. It is indispensable from refrigerator insulation layers to car seats, and even to energy-saving materials used in buildings.

 

MDI has recently aroused much public concern because of a petition from the US that requests an antidumping investigation into imports of MDI from China. BASF Corp (Florham Park, New Jersey) and Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan) filed the petition, citing dumping margins of 305.81% to 507.13% for the MDI imported from China, according to the statement of the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

 

The petition named producers BASF Polyurethane (Chongqing), Covestro Polymers (China), Shanghai Lianheng Isocyanate, Wanhua Chemical Group, and Wanhua Chemical Ningbo as allegedly dumping MDI into the US.

 

The MDI involved in the petition includes polymeric, monomeric, or modified MDI. The scope also includes products matching the description that has been processed in a third country.

 

The investigations will be conducted by two US federal agencies. The ITC will investigate whether the subject imports have retarded the development of the domestic industry. The US Department of Commerce (DOC) will investigate whether the subject imports are being sold to the US at less than fair value or benefit from unfair government subsidies.


Dow_MDI_480.jpg

Dow operates MDI distillation and prepolymers facility at its US manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas.

Industrial landscapes of MDI in US and China

 

Why did the companies initiate an antidumping investigation against Chinese MDI? The answer resides in the uniqueness of MDI and the current industrial landscapes of both countries. 

 

In recent years, the rapid increase in consumer demand in various areas such as energy-efficient insulation materials for buildings, new energy vehicles, white goods, formaldehyde-free boards, cold chain containers, and photovoltaic frames has significantly driven up the market demand for MDI materials. 

 

Though the US is one of the world's major MDI producers, its domestic demand has long exceeded its production capacity, resulting in a high reliance on imported MDI. 

 

According to market research data, the US produced 1.63 million tons of MDI in 2024, which could not meet its domestic demand of 1.83 million tons. Meanwhile, China is the world’s largest MDI producer, with its MDI production capacity reached 4.77 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.2%.

 

China is the primary source of MDI imports for the US. According to Chinese customs data, China exported 233,000 tons of polymeric MDI to the US from January to October in 2024. 

 

Competitive advantages of Chinese MDI production

 

Adsale Plastics Network observes that Chinese chemical companies, represented by Wanhua Chemical, have gained competitive advantages in MDI capacity, technology, and cost through continuous independent and innovative R&D in recent years. 

 

In terms of production capacity, Wanhua Chemical currently has an annual capacity of 3.5 million tons, accounting for approximately 32%-35% of the global MDI production capacity, making it the world's largest MDI producer. 

 

By 2027, Wanhua Chemical's MDI annual capacity is expected to increase to 5.3 million tons, with its global share exceeding 42%. 


Wanhua_2_480.jpg

Wanhua Chemical’s latest MDI technology offers environmental and energy-saving advantages.

 

Traditional giants like BASF and Covestro have seen stagnant capacity growth in recent years due to the European energy crisis and cost pressures, with some facilities even shutting down. BASF has recently expanded its MDI capacity in Chongqing and Shanghai, China, with its global annual capacity expected to reach 2.23 million tons.

 

Additionally, in terms of technological innovation, Wanhua Chemical and other Chinese chemical companies continue to make breakthroughs and advancements.

 

Highly concentrated production capacity

 

Due to the highly complicated production technology and significant technical barriers, the global production capacity of MDI is highly concentrated. 

 

According to statistics from Orisage Consulting, the global MDI production capacity in 2024 reached 10.95 million tons, increasing by 5.8% year-on-year. Eight companies, including Wanhua Chemical, BASF, and Dow Chemical, account for over 90% of the global MDI production capacity: 

 

∎ Wanhua Chemical: 3.5 million tons 

∎ BASF: 2.02 million tons 

∎ Covestro: 1.77 million tons 

∎ Huntsman: 1.37 million tons 

∎ Dow Chemical: 1.11 million tons 

∎ Mitsui Chemicals: 610,000 tons 

∎ Dongcao Chemical: 470,000 tons  

∎ Iran Karoon: 40,000 tons 


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(Focus) Why US tariffs target Chinese MDI?

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