Chicago, Aug. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Japan casting polyurethane market was valued at US$ 134.74 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 248.24 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.08% during the forecast period 2025–2033.
The Japan casting polyurethane market exhibits robust underlying strength, driven by sustained capital investment and core industrial output. Corporate confidence is high, with manufacturers planning a significant 21.6% increase in domestic capital spending for fiscal year 2024, ensuring future demand for PU in new equipment and facilities. This positive outlook is anchored by the real economy; although Japan's overall vehicle production for 2024 saw a decrease to 7.83 million units, a recovery to the 4.9 million-unit sales level is anticipated for 2025, which will stabilize a key consumption channel for polyurethane components. Furthermore, the construction sector provides a solid demand floor, with orders received by 50 major constructors reaching 18 trillion JPY in 2024, of which 13.2 trillion JPY came from the private sector, guaranteeing continued, large-scale use of PU-based sealants, insulation, and coatings.
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The Japan casting polyurethane market is currently navigating a period of profound transformation, characterized by a complex interplay of robust high-technology demand, significant raw material cost pressures, and a strategic pivot towards sustainability. For stakeholders, understanding the granular data points and underlying trends from 2024 and 2025 is not just beneficial—it is critical for capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead.
This analysis presents a meticulously researched, data-centric view of the market, revealing a landscape ripe with potential and poised for sophisticated, value-driven growth. The prevailing narrative is one of resilience and innovation, positioning the Japan market for a promising future.
Key Findings in Japan Casting Polyurethane Market
| Market Forecast (2033) | US$ 248.24 million |
| CAGR | 7.08% |
| By Product Type | Rolls (29.71%) |
| By Prepolymer Type | Polyester Based Prepolymer (40.18%) |
| By Manufacturing Process | Casting (Liquid Polyurethane) (48.18%) |
| By Design | Elastomeric (35.52%) |
| By Application | Industry Casting (29.11%) |
| By Distribution Channel | Distributors/Wholesalers (53.53%) |
| By Industry | Automotive (26.86%) |
| Top Drivers |
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| Top Trends |
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| Top Challenges |
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Analyzing Critical Raw Material Price Fluctuations and Their Direct Impact on Profitability
The profitability and stability of the Japan casting polyurethane market are inextricably linked to global raw material supply chains. Recent price movements in 2024 and early 2025 underscore a volatile environment that demands strategic procurement and cost management. In a significant move, Tosoh Corporation initiated a price revision for all its diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) products, increasing prices by over 45 JPY/kg from June 17, 2024, citing escalating logistics and energy costs. This trend was echoed by Mitsui Chemicals, which announced a price hike of +15 JPY/kg or more for its Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI), MDI, and polyol products, effective May 1, 2025.
The market felt these pressures directly, with the price for polyurethane (PU) resin in Japan reaching US$ 4,577 /MT in the second quarter of 2024. Although it later settled at US$ 4,325/MT in September 2024, the pricing environment remains elevated. Looking at regional influencers, Chinese prices in December 2024 stood at US$ 2,060/MT for crude MDI, US$ 2,100/MT for pure MDI, and US$ 1,004/MT for PPG. By February 2025, crude MDI in China rose to US$2,100/MT, and pure MDI returned to US$ 2,100/MT, while PPG saw a decrease to US$ 935/MT. Further afield, the North American market, a key global indicator, saw PU resin prices climb by approximately 6% in the first quarter of 2025, signaling persistent global cost pressures.
Decoding Recent Production and Shipment Data for a Clearer Market Supply Picture
Production and inventory figures from the Japan Urethane Industry Association provide a clear, near-real-time insight into the operational cadence of the Japan casting polyurethane market. In April 2025, polyurethane resin output was recorded at 13,556 tons. This figure saw a marginal decrease to 13,523 tons in early June 2025. More revealing, however, are the inventory and shipment numbers. Inventories, which stood at 3,848 tons in April, declined to 3,783 tons by early June. In the same period, shipments rose to 13,100 tons. This combination of slightly lower production, decreasing inventory, and rising shipments points to a robust demand environment where consumption, driven significantly by exports, is outpacing immediate production, ensuring market vitality.
How the Semiconductor Boom Is Fueling Unprecedented Demand for Advanced Polyurethane Materials
Japan’s position as a global leader in the semiconductor industry is a primary engine for the Japan casting polyurethane market. Casting polyurethanes are indispensable for high-purity applications like component encapsulation, insulation, and precision molding. The industry's growth trajectory is staggering; sales of Japanese-made semiconductor manufacturing equipment are forecast to surge by 20% in fiscal year 2024 to reach 4.44 trillion JPY. This momentum is expected to continue with a further 5% increase in fiscal year 2025, bringing total sales to 4.66 trillion JPY.
This growth extends to adjacent sectors, with sales of Japanese Flat Panel Display (FPD) manufacturing equipment projected to grow by 30% to 335.1 billion JPY in FY2024 and another 3% to 345.1 billion JPY in FY2025. While the global semiconductor materials market contracted by 8.2% to $66.7 billion in 2023, the subsequent rebound, alongside a global Epoxy Molding Compounds (EMC) market size of 141,500 tons in 2024, confirms a resurgence that will directly benefit polyurethane suppliers.
Additive Manufacturing Represents a New, High-Growth Frontier for Casting Polyurethane Applications
The rise of 3D printing and advanced manufacturing is unlocking entirely new revenue streams for the Japan casting polyurethane market. Polyurethane's unique properties—durability, flexibility, and abrasion resistance—make it an ideal material for functional prototypes and end-use parts. The financial data validates this opportunity. The Japanese market for 3D printing materials alone was valued at US$ 189 million in 2024 and is forecast to explode to US$ 804 million by 2033. The broader Japanese 3D printing market, including hardware and services, stood at 1.7 billion US$ in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 8.2 billion by 2033. Tangible investment, such as Mizuho Bank's US$ 3.5 million investment in 3DEO in 2024 and 30,000 units of industrial 3D printers shipped globally in 2023, signal strong institutional confidence and a rapidly scaling sector.
The Construction and Energy Sectors Provide a Foundation of Stable, Long-Term Demand
While high-tech sectors provide explosive growth, the construction and energy industries offer a bedrock of stable, long-term demand for casting polyurethane. In construction, polyurethane-based foams and sealants are critical for insulation and energy efficiency. The Japan insulation market is forecast to grow steadily from 3.11 billion US$ in 2024 to 5.51 billion US$ by 2032. This indicates a consistent, multi-year demand pipeline. Furthermore, Japan's commitment to renewable energy, evidenced by the feed-in tariff (FIT) for onshore wind power being set at 14 JPY per kWh for fiscal year 2024, creates demand for durable polyurethane components used in wind turbine blades, nacelles, and other infrastructure, diversifying the end-user base for the Japan casting polyurethane market.
High-Value Automotive and Medical Applications Are Propelling Sophisticated Polyurethane Grade Demand
The automotive and medical sectors represent two of the most demanding and highest-value segments for the Japan casting polyurethane market. In the automotive industry, casting polyurethanes are essential for manufacturing components that require superior durability and vibration-dampening properties, such as bushings, seals, gaskets, and interior parts. The ongoing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and more lightweight, fuel-efficient designs further amplifies the need for these high-performance materials. Similarly, the medical field relies on biocompatible casting polyurethanes for a range of applications, including device housings, surgical models, and patient-comfort products. Growth in these highly regulated, innovation-driven sectors guarantees a sustained appetite for premium-grade polyurethane solutions.
The Pivotal Shift Towards Sustainable, Bio-Based Polyurethanes Is Creating New Opportunities
A powerful undercurrent shaping the future of the Japan casting polyurethane market is the global push for sustainability. The development and adoption of bio-based polyurethanes, derived from renewable resources, are transitioning from a niche interest to a strategic imperative. The global market for bio-based PU, valued at US$ 524.2 million in 2024, is projected to reach US$ 597.8 million in 2025. In terms of volume, the market is estimated at 11.82 kilotons for 2025, with a forecast to more than double to 23.49 kilotons by 2030. Japanese chemical companies, known for their R&D prowess, are well-positioned to lead this shift, aligning with corporate ESG goals and meeting the demands of an increasingly eco-conscious global supply chain.
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Export Strength and High-Tech Demand Define the Promising Future Market Trajectory
The comprehensive outlook for the Japan casting polyurethane market is exceptionally promising, largely defined by its strength in export markets and its indispensable role in high-technology manufacturing. The market's resilience is evident in how elevated prices for rigid foam polyurethane were maintained in June 2025, propped up by strong export interest that effectively compensated for softer domestic construction demand. This export dependency is intertwined with complex supply chain dynamics, highlighted by the fact that imports from China accounted for 91% of Japan's total TDI imports in November 2024 and 96% in January 2025.
Ultimately, Japan's dominance in critical upstream industries—holding approximately 80% of the global market share for photoresists and 57% for silicon wafers—cements its status as a high-tech materials superpower. This foundation ensures that the Japan casting polyurethane market will not just endure but thrive, driven by relentless innovation and a globally competitive edge.
Top Companies in the Japan Casting Polyurethane Market
- DIC Corporation
- Toagosei Co., Ltd.
- Asahi Kasei Group
- Sekisui Chemical Group
- Ube Corporation
- Freeman Japan
- Other Prominent Players
Market Segmentation Overview
By Product Type
- Rolls
- Formwork
- Pads
- Sheets
- Others
By Prepolymer Type
- Polyester Base Prepolymer
- Polyether Base Prepolymer
- Polycaprolactone Base Prepolymer
- Others
By Resin Grade
- Standard Grade
- High-Performance Grade
- Specialty Grade
- Others
By Manufacturing Process
- Reaction Injection Molding (RIM)
- Casting (Liquid Polyurethane)
- Extrusion
- Compression Molding
- Others
By Design
- Rigid
- Flexible
- Foamed
- Elastomeric
- Others
By Application
- Industrial Castings
- Wheels & Tires
- Belt & Hoses
- Medical Devices
- Footwear Components
- Concrete Blocks
- Others
By Distribution Channel
- Direct Sales
- Online Sales
- Distributors/Wholesalers
By Industry
- Automotive
- Mechanical
- Electronics & Instruments
- Aerospace & Defense
- Footwear & Sports
- Healthcare
- Others
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