Global Amino Resins Market - Strategic Insights and Forecasts (2026-2031)

Amino resins market size

The global amino resins market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.5%, reaching USD 25.9 billion in 2031 from USD 19.8 billion in 2026.

Amino resins are formed by adding formaldehyde to amino compounds such as melamine, benzoguanamine, or urea, followed by a condensation reaction and etherification with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol. They serve as curing agents for thermosetting coatings. There are two kinds of amino resins: urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF). Neo amino resins are made from butylated melamine formaldehyde.

They are soluble in alcohols, esters, ketones, glycol ethers, and aromatic hydrocarbons but have limited aliphatic hydrocarbon solubility and are insoluble in water. NEO Amino resins are compatible with all short-oil alkydes. Oil-free polyesters, medium and high molecular weight epoxy resins, epoxy esters, thermosetting acrylics, and PVB resins.

What are the global amino resins market drivers?

• Amino resins are multifunctional polymers. When utilized alone in coatings, the resultant film may have low adhesion, excessive hardness, and become brittle. Amino resins may react with polymers having hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, making them useful as cross-linking agents for a variety of coating base resins, such as alkyd resins, acrylic resins, saturated polyester resins, and epoxy resins.
  
  Coatings cross-linked using amino resins as curing agents provide high gloss, colour retention, hardness, chemical resistance, water resistance, and weatherability. As a result, amino resin coatings are widely used in sectors like automotive, construction machinery, steel furniture, home appliances, and pre-coated metal.

• In the last two decades, some changes have been introduced in synthesizing amino resins, making synthesis more efficient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly. A reduction of impurities and fine control over the reaction process have made it possible to produce resins with enhanced performance. It also involves nanotechnology since amino-based resins in the nano-structured form are endowed with better properties such as high strength and heat resistance.

The second emerging product is the bio-based amino resins, which are derived from renewable feedstock, including plant-based materials, to reduce the utilization of fossil hydrocarbon. These bio-based resins are becoming more favourable because they present sustainability without compromising resin quality or performance. These advancements in amino resin synthesis improve the characteristics and uses of these versatile materials and create new opportunities for industrial research and development.

Segment analysis of the global amino resins market:

• By application, the moulding industry is anticipated to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the amino resins market.

Moulding was the first successful use for amino resins. Moulding compounds are more sophisticated than adhesives and laminating resins. A simple amino-resin moulding compound may be created by mixing melamine with 37% formalin in the ratio of 2 mol formaldehyde/1 mol melamine at a neutral or slightly alkaline pH and a temperature of 60°C.

To manufacture the moulding ingredients, cellulose, and melamine resin are mixed in a ball mill with a catalyst, stabilizer, colourants, and lubricants. The ingredients must be processed for many hours to produce equal dispersion and the required ornamental shape in the mould. A resin containing 1.3 to 1.5 mol of formaldehyde and 1.0 mol of urea is an appropriate mixture for moulding. A resin containing 1.3 to 1.5 mol of formaldehyde and 1.0 mol of urea is an appropriate mixture for moulding. Urea-resin moulding composites are increasingly often utilized in wire and electrical surfaces.

• The coating industry is also anticipated to hold a significant market share.

Cured amino resins are very brittle, making them unsuitable as surface coatings for metal or wood substrates. However, a wide variety of acceptable qualities may be attained when combined with various film formers (alkyds, polyesters, acrylics, and epoxies). These mixed coating materials cure quickly at elevated temperatures, making them ideal for industrial applications. All amino resins are typically alkylated to some level to ensure compatibility with other film formers employed in the coating formulation. Amino resins used in the coatings business differ not only in the kind of amine (melamine, urea, benzoguanamine, and glycoluril) but also in the molar content of formaldehyde and the type and concentration of alkylation alcohol.

Geographical outlook of the global amino resins market:

• Asia Pacific’s amino resins market is anticipated to grow significantly.

The market for amino resins in the Asia Pacific is projected to grow rapidly over the coming years owing to the growing industrialization and increased use in construction, furniture, and automotive industries.

Amino resins, such as urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde, are commonly used as adhesives and binders in wood-based goods such as particleboards, laminates, and coatings, all of which are required for construction and furniture manufacture. The consciousness of the construction market, especially in China and India, together with more populace urbanization and higher disposable income, is driving the demand for these resins for new homes and commercial buildings. Moreover, increasing use in the automotive industry in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in vehicle coatings and surface treatment, is also contributing to the market growth.

For instance, China has taken the largest market globally for automobiles by car sale and is expected to take local production of automobiles to 35 million units in 2025. Sources from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology suggested that automobile sales exceeded 26 million units for 2021, including 21.48 million units of passenger automobiles, with a 7.1% increase from 2020. Meanwhile, the sale of commercial vehicles stood at 4.79 million units in 2021, down by 6.6% against 2020. Nonetheless, demand for building materials and other consumer goods increases with the growth of cities, leading to even higher industry growth.

Key developments in the global amino resins market:

• In September 2023, DuPont launched the DuPont™ AmberLite™ P2X110 Ion Exchange Resin, its first product for producing green hydrogen. This newly available ion exchange resin is tailored to the specific chemistry of electrolyzer loops to aid in the synthesis of hydrogen from water.

• In April 2023, BASF SE and SWISS KRONO Group (Lucerne, Switzerland) extended their long-term collaboration with more sustainable solutions and processes. Both partners are collaborating to reduce the carbon footprint of the wood-based panel sector by developing innovative products and calculating the product carbon footprint (PCF).

Amino resins market scope: 

The global amino resins market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Type

  • Urea Formaldehyde

  • Melamine Formaldehyde

  • Melamine Urea Formaldehyde

• By Application

  • Coatings

  • Adhesives

  • Paper Treatment

  • Textiles

  • Molding Compounds

• By Geography

  • North America

    • United States

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

    • Rest of South America

  • Europe

    • United Kingdom

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Rest of Europe

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • United Arab Emirates

    • Rest of the Middle East and Africa

  • Asia-Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Taiwan

    • Thailand

    • Indonesia

    • Rest of Asia-Pacific