Melamine Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Sales Channel (Direct, Indirect), By End Use (Laminates, Adhesive Resin, Coating Resin, Molding Compounds, Plastic, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 6.12 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.85%
Fastest Growing Segment	Direct
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 8.13 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Melamine Market is projected to grow from USD 6.12 Billion in 2025 to USD 8.13 Billion by 2031 at a 4.85% CAGR. Melamine is an organic base chemical synthesized from urea and primarily reacted with formaldehyde to produce thermosetting resins. These resins are integral to the manufacturing of laminates, wood adhesives, and durable surface coatings, with demand fundamentally supported by the expansion of the global construction and automotive sectors. The market is sustained by the essential properties of the material, including heat resistance and durability, which ensure its continued application in housing and furniture manufacturing.

A significant challenge impeding broader market stability is the volatility of feedstock costs and the issue of regional overcapacity. Fluctuations in energy prices directly impact urea production, thereby squeezing profit margins for manufacturers while supply imbalances complicate pricing strategies. According to the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association, in 2024, domestic melamine production capacity in China reached 2.31 million tons, with output at 1.642 million tons. This discrepancy between capacity and production underscores the difficulties producers face in balancing supply with fluctuating global demand.

Key Market Drivers

The Rapid Expansion of the Global Construction and Infrastructure Industry serves as a primary catalyst for market growth, driven by the critical need for sulfonated melamine formaldehyde (SMF) in high-performance concrete and durable surface materials. SMF acts as a vital superplasticizer, enhancing the workability and compressive strength of concrete used in large-scale infrastructure projects, while melamine-based high-pressure laminates are increasingly utilized in residential and commercial interiors for their superior resistance to heat and chemicals. This sectoral momentum is evidenced by investment activity; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, February 2025, in the 'Monthly Construction Spending, December 2024' report, the value of construction in 2024 was $2,154.4 billion, a 6.5 percent increase over 2023. Such expenditure directly correlates with sustained orders for melamine resins, essential for finishing materials.

Concurrently, the Increasing Consumption of Wood Adhesives in Engineered Wood Products is propelling market volume, as manufacturers rely on Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde (MUF) resins to impart moisture resistance to particleboards and plywood. These solutions are indispensable for furniture and flooring industries requiring materials that withstand environmental stress. The resilience of this application segment is highlighted by production trends; according to the European Panel Federation, July 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024-2025', European wood-based panels production output increased by 2.7% in 2024 to 58.1 million cubic meters. Reflecting this positive trajectory, according to OCI Global, March 2025, in the 'H2 2024 Results Report', melamine sales volumes in the second half of 2024 increased by 41% year-on-year.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Melamine Market is currently facing a substantial hurdle due to regional overcapacity, which is directly hampering market value and stability. This structural imbalance occurs when the installed production capability in major manufacturing hubs significantly outpaces actual global demand from end-use sectors like construction and automotive. The immediate consequence of this surplus is a saturation of the global supply chain, which compels producers to lower prices to offload excess inventory. Such aggressive pricing strategies erode profit margins across the industry, making it increasingly difficult for manufacturers in import-reliant regions to compete or justify further capital investment in their own facilities.

This challenge is further intensified by the continuous expansion of production infrastructure despite the existing glut. The persistent gap between potential output and market absorption creates a volatile environment where operating rates fluctuate unpredictably. According to the 'China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association', in '2025', domestic melamine production capacity reached 2.42 million tons between January and August. This increase in capacity, without a proportional rise in consumption, underscores the severity of the supply-demand disparity. As long as this overcapacity persists, the market will struggle to establish the pricing equilibrium necessary for consistent revenue growth.

Key Market Trends

Production facilities are increasingly integrating closed-loop water systems and energy-efficient waste heat recovery protocols to meet "green manufacturing" standards, moving beyond simple compliance to active circular economic models. This shift is characterized by the adoption of advanced process technologies that eliminate liquid waste and reduce chemical consumption, ensuring that new capacity additions align with stringent environmental sustainability goals. A prominent example of this industrial pivot is the deployment of zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems in modern synthesis plants. According to Casale, September 2025, in the 'Casale wins melamine contract' announcement, the company secured a contract to supply technology for a new 60,000 tons per year melamine plant in China that utilizes its uLEM-N process to entirely eliminate caustic soda usage and achieve zero liquid discharge.

There is a specific surge in the utilization of lightweight, fire-resistant melamine foam for thermal and acoustic insulation in electric vehicles (EVs), driven by the need for noise reduction and battery temperature management. As the automotive industry accelerates its transition to electrification, manufacturers are prioritizing materials that offer superior sound absorption without adding significant weight, a critical factor for maximizing battery range. This application-specific demand is fundamentally reshaping the global consumption profile of the chemical. According to Eurotecnica, March 2025, in the 'Melamine market sees sustained growth' report, global melamine demand is increasing by approximately 5% per year, a trajectory largely supported by its indispensable role in producing high-performance foams and flame-retardant solutions for evolving industrial sectors.

Segmental Insights

The Direct distribution segment is currently recognized as the fastest growing category within the Global Melamine Market, driven by a strategic shift among large-scale manufacturers toward streamlined procurement. Producers of laminates and wood adhesives increasingly prioritize purchasing directly from melamine suppliers to secure bulk volumes at lower costs, effectively eliminating intermediary markups. This approach also allows buyers to maintain stricter oversight on raw material quality and traceability, ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards. Consequently, the operational efficiency and economic benefits associated with direct sourcing are fueling the rapid expansion of this segment.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global melamine market due to substantial demand from the construction and automotive industries, particularly in China and India. The region experiences high consumption of melamine for producing laminates, wood adhesives, and molding compounds required for infrastructure development. Rapid urbanization and the expansion of the residential housing sector further accelerate the need for these durable chemical solutions. Consequently, extensive local manufacturing capabilities allow the region to supply large-scale furniture and flooring markets, effectively sustaining its market superiority.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, a global technology provider, part of a major energy conglomerate, signed a contract to license its fifth-generation melamine process to a chemical company in Inner Mongolia. This agreement marked the deployment of the licensor's high-efficiency technology for a new facility with a planned capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year. Concurrently, the firm celebrated the successful handover of a separate plant to another Chinese client, which had surpassed energy efficiency targets. These simultaneous developments reinforced the licensor's leadership in the region and demonstrated the continued expansion of melamine production capacity to meet market demand.
• In August 2025, a Swiss technology licensor announced a strategic partnership with a Chinese chemical group to develop a new melamine production plant. The project, featuring a capacity of 60,000 tons per year, was designed to integrate the licensor's advanced low-energy technology into the client's existing urea facilities. This collaboration introduced a sustainable manufacturing process that eliminates the usage of caustic soda and ensures zero liquid discharge. The agreement highlighted the industry's shift toward environmentally efficient technologies that optimize operational performance while reducing the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing in the competitive Asian market.
• In May 2024, a leading Malaysian integrated chemicals provider confirmed the upcoming commercial commencement of its new melamine production facility in Gurun, Kedah. During a quarterly performance review, the management highlighted that the plant was a primary focus in the company's strategy to expand its specialty derivatives portfolio. With a design capacity of 60,000 tonnes per annum, this facility was established to be the sole melamine production unit in Southeast Asia. The project aimed to capitalize on growing regional demand and enhance value chain integration by utilizing urea feedstock directly from the company’s existing nearby fertilizer operations.
• In February 2024, a global producer of nitrogen and methanol products announced the first commercial sale of its lower-carbon melamine. The company commenced the supply of this bio-melamine, manufactured using certified renewable feedstocks, to a Spanish producer of wood products and adhesives. This collaboration marked a significant step in decarbonizing the industry, as the product offers a reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional options. The delivery demonstrated the viability of sustainable chemical solutions and supported the partner's efforts to create eco-friendly resins for the construction sector, aligning with broader goals to reduce emissions in the value chain.

Key Market Players

• Shandong United Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Luxi Chemical Group Co. Ltd
• Shandong Suntech Chemical Co. Ltd
• Henan Junhua Development Co. Ltd
• Sichuan Jinxiang Chemical Industry Group Ltd
• Hongze Yinzhu Chemcial Technology Co. Ltd
• MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
• P.T. Pupuk Sriwidjaja
• Samsung Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
• Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited

By Sales Channel	By End Use	By Region
Direct Indirect	Laminates Adhesive Resin Coating Resin Molding Compounds Plastic Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Melamine Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Melamine Market, By Sales Channel:

• Direct
• Indirect

• Melamine Market, By End Use:

• Laminates
• Adhesive Resin
• Coating Resin
• Molding Compounds
• Plastic
• Others

• Melamine Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE