Demand Analysis of Downstream Application Areas in China’s Formaldehyde Industry

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The downstream consumption areas of formaldehyde in our country mainly include urea-formaldehyde resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyacetal resin, BDO, MDI, pentaerythritol, and urotropin, among others. The consumption structure of formaldehyde in our country is as shown in the figure: urea-formaldehyde adhesives used in wood processing and similar applications represent the largest market for formaldehyde, accounting for about 55% of its total consumption. It is used in the production of phenol-formaldehyde resins in about 3%, in the production of melamine-formaldehyde resins in 5%, in the production of polyacetal resins in 9%, in the production of BDO in 11%, in the production of MDI in 3%, in the production of pentaerythritol in 3%, and in the production of urotropin in 3%. The remaining 8% is used in the production of polyformaldehyde, polyoxymethylenes, other polyols, and pesticides. Formaldehyde can also be used as a water-reducing agent in concrete admixtures; it is a material primarily used to improve the properties of concrete, such as reducing the amount of water required per unit volume of concrete, ensuring compliance with specified consistency requirements, and enhancing the workability of concrete.