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Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI, is produced by the phosgenation of aniline-formaldehyde condensate, serving as the essential building block for rigid polyurethane foam. The largest demand pull comes from building insulation panels, followed by appliance foam and refrigeration insulation, and automotive and footwear applications. Aniline and benzene feedstock costs, construction insulation sector demand, and regional production capacity all feed into the price.
Global MDI prices tracked close to the USD 2.04 to USD 2.24 per KG range projected for 2026, as aniline firming and insulation demand supported a recovery. US prices averaged USD 2.05 per KG in Q1 2026, up 6.8 percent from Q4 2025, as firmer aniline and benzene feedstock costs elevated production expenses while spring construction season insulation and appliance foam procurement supported buying. China's large MDI capacity kept it the most affordable source, while Germany remained the highest-cost reporting region.
MDI prices held a firm tone through August 2026, tracking close to the Q1 2026 levels across all tracked regions, as firmer aniline and benzene feedstock costs and steady construction insulation and appliance foam demand continued to support the market.
The balance of supply and demand for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate through the rest of 2026 leans cautiously firm. Aniline feedstock costs firmed from benzene tightness and Middle East disruptions. Construction sector insulation demand is recovering with improved building activity in North America and India.
The main upside risk is a sustained aniline and benzene cost surge alongside a broad construction sector recovery. The main downside risk is continued Chinese MDI capacity additions and weak European construction activity that limits global price recovery.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/KG) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 2.04 - 2.24 | Aniline firming and insulation demand support recovery |
| United States | 2.00 - 2.20 | Steady insulation and appliance foam demand holds the market |
| China | 1.72 - 1.92 | Large MDI capacity keeps it the most affordable source |
| Germany | 2.36 - 2.56 | High feedstock and energy costs keep it the most expensive |
| India | 2.14 - 2.34 | Growing construction insulation demand holds a firm middle |
US methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 2.05/KG in Q1 2026, up 6.8% from USD 1.92/KG in Q4 2025. Firmer aniline and benzene feedstock costs elevated production expenses. Spring construction season insulation and appliance foam procurement supported buying through the quarter.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q1 2026 in the United States?
Firmer aniline feedstock costs from benzene tightness elevated MDI production expenses. Spring construction season insulation panel procurement lifted buying from foam fabricators and appliance manufacturers. Middle East disruptions added freight premiums to benzene import costs, reinforcing the quarterly gain.
Chinese methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 1.78/KG in Q1 2026, up 3.5% from USD 1.72/KG in Q4 2025, the lowest among the tracked markets. Post-Lunar New Year construction and appliance sector restocking lifted procurement. Firmer aniline costs provided a cost floor despite large domestic MDI production capacity.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q1 2026 in China?
Post-holiday construction insulation and appliance foam sector restocking lifted procurement from the domestic market. Firmer aniline feedstock costs raised the production cost floor. Large domestic MDI capacity kept China the most competitive source despite the quarterly recovery.
German methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 2.42/KG in Q1 2026, up 6.1% from USD 2.28/KG in Q4 2025, the highest among the tracked markets. Higher aniline and energy costs elevated European MDI production expenses. Recovering construction insulation and cold-chain sector demand supported buying through the quarter.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q1 2026 in Germany?
Higher aniline feedstock and energy costs elevated European MDI production expenses substantially. Recovering construction insulation panel demand lifted procurement from building product manufacturers. Limited European MDI capacity reinforced the regional price premium over Asian and North American sources.
Indian methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 2.20/KG in Q1 2026, up 3.8% from USD 2.12/KG in Q4 2025. Growing construction insulation and refrigeration sector demand supported buying. Firmer import-linked aniline and benzene costs raised the production and landed cost floor through the quarter.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q1 2026 in India?
Growing construction insulation and cold-chain refrigeration sector demand lifted procurement from foam fabricators. Firmer import-linked aniline and benzene costs raised the production floor. Middle East freight premiums elevated the landed cost of imported MDI and feedstock grades.
US methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 1.92/KG in Q4 2025, declining on the quarter. Year-end construction and appliance sector slowdowns reduced procurement urgency. Softer aniline and benzene feedstock costs eased the production floor near USD 1.92/KG.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q4 2025 in the United States?
Year-end construction and appliance sector slowdowns reduced foam fabricator procurement. Softer aniline and benzene feedstock costs eased the MDI production floor. Adequate domestic and import supply maintained comfortable availability near USD 1.92/KG.
Chinese methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 1.72/KG in Q4 2025, declining from the Q3 level. Weak year-end construction and furniture demand reduced buyer urgency. Large domestic MDI capacity and competitive producer pricing held the market near USD 1.72/KG.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q4 2025 in China?
Weak year-end construction insulation and furniture foam demand reduced procurement urgency. Large domestic MDI capacity maintained ample supply and competitive pricing. Softer aniline feedstock costs eased the production floor near USD 1.72/KG.
German methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 2.28/KG in Q4 2025, declining from the Q3 level. Reduced winter construction and cold-chain activity weighed on insulation demand. Softer aniline costs partially eased the production floor near USD 2.28/KG into year-end.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q4 2025 in Germany?
Reduced winter construction and cold-chain activity weighed on insulation panel demand. Softer aniline feedstock costs partially eased the production floor. Adequate import availability from Asian producers maintained supply balance near USD 2.28/KG.
Indian methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices averaged USD 2.12/KG in Q4 2025, rising slightly on the quarter. Growing refrigeration and construction insulation demand supported buying. Firmer import-linked aniline costs maintained the production floor near USD 2.12/KG into year-end.
Why did the price of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate change in Q4 2025 in India?
Growing refrigeration and construction insulation sector demand maintained consistent procurement. Firmer import-linked aniline feedstock costs maintained the production floor. The market firmed slightly to USD 2.12/KG, the only region to gain in Q4.
Global methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices followed a volatile arc through the window, with a Q2 decline, a Q3 construction season uptick, a Q4 softening, and a sharp Q1 2026 recovery. The average fell from USD 2.008/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.978/KG in Q2, rose to USD 2.028/KG in Q3, eased to USD 2.018/KG in Q4, before surging to USD 2.113/KG in Q1 2026, a net gain of about 5.2% over the window. Construction demand cycles and aniline feedstock dynamics drove the volatile pattern.
| Quarter | Price (USD/KG) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q1 2026 | 2.113 | +4.7% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 2.018 | -0.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Q3 2025 | 2.028 | +2.5% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2025 | 1.978 | -1.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Q1 2025 | 2.008 | - | - Stable |
| Q2 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices showed a volatile pattern through 2025, with alternating quarterly moves. The global average opened at USD 2.008/KG in Q1 and closed near USD 2.018/KG in Q4, a modest full-year gain of about 0.5%. Construction sector demand cycles, aniline feedstock fluctuations, and regional divergence between firming Indian and US markets and softer European and Chinese conditions shaped the year.
US prices fell from about USD 1.98/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.92/KG by Q4, a decline of 3.0%. Year-end construction and appliance softness and lower aniline costs maintained downward pressure through H2. The market recovered sharply in Q1 2026.
Chinese prices firmed from roughly USD 1.65/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.72/KG by Q4, a gain of 4.2%. Growing domestic construction insulation and appliance foam demand drove consistent procurement. China maintained the lowest price level throughout.
German prices fell from about USD 2.35/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.28/KG by Q4, a decline of 3.0%. Soft European construction and furniture sector demand and lower aniline costs weighed on the market. Germany maintained the highest price level throughout the year.
Indian prices firmed from roughly USD 2.05/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.12/KG by Q4, a gain of 3.4%. Growing construction insulation and cold-chain refrigeration demand and firmer import-linked feedstock costs drove the consistent climb through the year.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate Price Intelligence
Expert Market Research tracks methylene diphenyl diisocyanate prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region. The team traces causation through aniline and benzene feedstock economics, construction and appliance foam sector demand cycles, and regional MDI plant operating rates. Contact Expert Market Research today for MDI pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.
*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Rigid polyurethane foam insulation for construction panels, appliances, and cold-chain containers takes the largest share. Flexible foam for furniture and bedding, automotive seating, adhesives, coatings, and elastomers also consume significant volumes globally.
The Q1 2026 average was USD 2.05/KG in the United States, USD 1.78/KG in China, USD 2.42/KG in Germany, and USD 2.20/KG in India. Germany remains the highest-priced market.
The global average was broadly flat, easing from USD 2.008/KG in Q1 2025 to about USD 2.018/KG in Q4, a full-year gain of around 0.5%. A volatile Q2 decline and Q3 recovery pattern reflected construction demand and aniline feedstock cycles.
Construction sector demand cycles created alternating quarterly moves throughout the year. Aniline feedstock cost fluctuations from benzene market dynamics added further volatility, while regional divergence between firming Asian markets and soft European conditions amplified the global pattern.
The global average is expected in the USD 2.04 to 2.24/KG range for the rest of 2026, with firming as aniline feedstock costs stay elevated and construction sector insulation demand recovers in North America and India.
Germany sits highest on feedstock and energy costs, India and the United States hold a firm middle on growing insulation demand, and China prices lowest on large domestic MDI capacity.
This report is updated monthly. For real-time pricing intelligence, contact the Expert Market Research team directly.
Prices respond mainly to aniline and benzene feedstock costs, construction and appliance foam sector demand cycles, and regional MDI plant operating rates. Construction activity cycles and Middle East benzene supply events can cause sharp quarterly price moves.
Asia Pacific leads with China holding the largest MDI capacity, followed by Europe and North America. Because output is tied to aniline and benzene, any feedstock or refinery change ripples across MDI markets within one to two quarters.
Buyers can use quarterly trends and forecasts to time foam and insulation contracts around construction season cycles, build cover when aniline signals tightening, and monitor benzene price trends as the key feedstock signal for MDI direction.
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