New Report on Sub-Saharan African Polyurethane Market

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Dec 13 2010

Research and Markets has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Sub-Saharan African Market for Polyurethane" to their offering.

This service covers the sub-Saharan African polyurethane market, examining drivers, restraints and challenges affecting growth. The market growth for the total as well as individual segments is forecasted, with a base year of 2009 and forecasts running to 2016. The market is further divided according to product types, including an analysis of methyl- and toluene-diisocyanate input materials, as well as end-user industries for each country. A complete technology and breakdown is provided for the South African market examining all foam and non-foam technologies. Detailed profiles have been supplied of the key market participants, including a market share analysis. A supply chain structure for each country segment is also analysed.

Research Overview This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Sub-Saharan African Market for Polyurethane provides the analysis into industry challenges, market drivers and restraints, as well as market forecasts and strategic recommendations. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: TDI and MDI based polyurethane. Among the application areas studied, include bedding and furniture, automotive, refrigerators and freezers, footwear, construction, and coatings, adhesives and sealants.

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Market Overview

Wider Application Use to Boost Revenue Potential of Polyurethane Manufacturers

Wider use of polyurethane for various applications is anticipated as sub-Saharan Africa emerges from the global economic recession. Increased buying power boosts the demand for polyurethane foams in bedding and furniture applications. In addition, polyurethanes use as a wood and rubber substitute underpins its rising demand in the mining, interior decoration and insulation sectors in Africa. Therefore, the type of application sector to enter depends on how saturated that sector is, and how easy it is to manufacture the specific product.

The polyurethane market in Sub-Saharan Africa is fast growing as the use of polyurethane for insulation in refrigerator and construction applications increases, notes the Research Analyst Dilshaad Booley. Enhanced consumer buying power as a result of stabilising economies promotes demand for these polyurethane containing products. The use of polyurethane to replace rubber and also as a wood substitute in interior decorating applications is another driver of the sub-Saharan African polyurethane market, which could experience growth exceeding that of the international polyurethane market.

Low-cost Imports Pose Intense Challenge

A decline in the construction and automotive sectors resulted in decreased demand for products containing polyurethane. The global economic recession deterred many local customers from purchasing furniture, bedding and footwear products due to reduced buying power. At the same time, the sharp rise in raw material price during the slowdown affected the price of polyurethane and the applications in which it was used. Consequently, the demand for polyurethane products reduced as fewer people could afford them. Hence, this created an opportunity for low-cost imports to enter the market.

Finished products containing polyurethane are being imported more frequently into sub-Saharan Africa. These products are cheaper than those locally manufactured, resulting in the loss of business for the manufacturers. This is, especially evident in the footwear sector, where China exports footwear containing polyurethane to sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa imports all of its raw materials for polyurethane, leading to local polyurethane manufacturers purchasing these raw materials at higher prices due to fluctuating exchange rates and various import duties, explains Booley. Therefore, the final product containing polyurethane will be more expensive than if it were to be imported from China. Nevertheless, projections for polyurethane manufacturers are upbeat. Currently, the number of applications for polyurethane in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. This offers growth opportunities for polyurethane manufacturers to expand their applications in buildings and refrigeration sectors. The growing manufacturing sector promises to make use of polyurethane products, ranging from construction to refrigeration, transport and automotive enhancements.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

By Application: