Global Overview of Sustainability in the PU Market 2026​: 2nd Edition

This study delivers an in-depth assessment of the global polyurethane (PU) industry’s shift toward sustainability. It examines the current landscape of conventional PU products and outlines the emerging technologies, materials and strategies.​

Demand for sustainable isocyanates and polyols is projected to grow significantly up to 2035. Among the various innovations, the mass balance approach is expected to become the leading technology for reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials in both polyol and isocyanate production. While chemical recycling currently plays a negligible role in the overall market, it is anticipated to grow rapidly over the forecast period, contributing to a more circular PU value chain.

The data covered in the study is split as follows:

Precursors​

• List of current key precursors for the production of polyols and ​

        isocyanates, including consumption in tonnes (2025)

Isocyanates​

• Market size and growth rates of eco-friendly isocyanates (2021-2035) ​segmented into the following technologies and split by ​region (EMEA, APAC, the Americas):​

  • Mass Balance​

  • Sugar-Lignin Based​

  • NIPUs

  • Others​

Polyols​

• Market size and growth rates of eco-friendly polyols (2021-2035) segmented into the following technologies and split by region (EMEA, APAC, the Americas):​

  • Polyester (PET)​

  • Polyester (NOPs)​

  • Polyether (Chemical Recycling)​

  • Polyether (Mass Balance)

Final Products, Waste and Recycling​

• Comparison of overall PU production with waste generated, by region (2021-2035)​

• Split of fossil-based products vs. eco-friendly production (>20% eco-friendly content), by region (2021-2035)​

• Waste generation split by rigid foam and flexible foam, by region (2021-2035)​

• PU waste (end-of life, 2021-2035), split by:​

  • Landfill​

  • Incineration​

  • Recycling​

• Further recycling segmentation by region (2021-2035) for:​

  • Physical/Mechanical/Re-use​

  • Chemical (various methods)

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Research for this study was carried out in late 2025 and early 2026. Data are provided from 2021 to 2035, with the base year 2025.

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Global Overview of Sustainability in the Polyurethane Market 2026

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