May 30, 2025 -AsiaMB Reports: Global MDI Market Faces Sustained Price Surge
The color masterbatch industry is bracing for significant cost impacts as Wanhua Chemical announces new price adjustments for its MDI products across Southeast Asia. Effective June 1, both polymeric and pure MDI prices will increase by $100/ton, marking the company’s second regional price hike this year.
Market analysts observe a consistent upward trajectory in MDI pricing. Current quotations in East China’s domestic market show pure MDI at ¥18,000/ton and polymeric MDI at ¥16,100/ton – substantial increases from beginning-of-year levels that reflect shifting supply-demand dynamics.
This pricing movement forms part of a broader global trend. BASF previously implemented $300/ton increases for its Lupranate® MDI products in ASEAN and South Asia, while Huntsman raised European and Middle Eastern prices by €125/ton. Industry experts attribute these synchronized adjustments to multiple factors including rising raw material costs, energy price volatility, and regional supply chain rebalancing.
The MDI market outlook remains complex. As a crucial polyurethane feedstock used in construction, automotive, and appliance manufacturing, these price movements will inevitably affect downstream industries. Market observers suggest the current pricing environment may persist in the near term, with future trends dependent on production capacity adjustments and ongoing demand recovery patterns.
Industry participants are advised to monitor capacity announcements from major producers and inventory levels across the supply chain. These factors will likely determine whether the current pricing represents a temporary adjustment or a longer-term market recalibration.