Melamine Market Overview, 2025-30

The global melamine market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand from various industries such as construction, furniture, automotive, and packaging. Innovation is reshaping the market as manufacturers develop eco-friendly and low-formaldehyde melamine resins to comply with stringent environmental regulations, particularly in Europe and North America. Research is also focusing on melamine’s role in carbon capture and energy storage, with advancements in microencapsulation techniques and functional coatings. These developments are opening new application avenues in green buildings, renewable energy systems, and smart materials. However, the market faces challenges related to health and environmental safety.

For instance, the Codex Alimentarius and national agencies in the EU and US enforce maximum residue limits to ensure safety in food products. In addition, melamine production is energy-intensive and relies heavily on formaldehyde, leading to regulatory scrutiny on emissions and production waste. In July 2021 Borealis, has announced the commercialization of its nitrogen business in a deal for potentially 500-600 million euros, or approximately USD591-USD709 mln. The company is collaborating with Barclays on selling its Nitro division, which includes its technical nitrogen, melamine, and fertilizer activities and may draw interest from companies including Fertiberia, Agrofert, Acron, Eurochem, and OCI, according to the sources. To address these concerns, governments are introducing tighter norms on VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and pushing industries toward cleaner production practices. These regulations are encouraging producers to invest in sustainable technologies and raw material alternatives. Despite the regulatory hurdles, the melamine market is expected to remain resilient, supported by innovations, urban development, and consumer demand for long-lasting, low-maintenance surfaces.

According to the research report, "Global Melamine Market Overview, 2030,", the Global Melamine market was valued at more than USD 8.36 Billion in 2024, with the CAGR of 6.43% from 2025-2030. Melamine is widely used in high-pressure laminates for decorative surfaces in homes, offices, and commercial spaces due to its heat resistance, scratch-proof nature, and aesthetic appeal. Sustainability and environmental regulation, which has prompted innovation in low-emission and eco-friendly melamine resins. With increasing awareness of indoor air quality and stricter formaldehyde emission norms such as the U.S.

EPA TSCA Title VI and the EU’s E1/E0 standards manufacturers are investing in modified melamine formulations that reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. For example, BASF and other key players have developed low-formaldehyde and formaldehyde-free resins to align with global green building standards. In March 2024, Ashland Global Holdings Inc. And Momentive Performance Materials Inc. Merged, creating a leading global specialty materials company. The merged entity, named Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc., will have a strong presence in the market, as both companies were major producers (Momentive press release, 2024). The rise in engineered wood products like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard, which heavily rely on melamine-formaldehyde resins for bonding. As solid wood becomes costlier and less available due to deforestation concerns, engineered wood is being increasingly used in residential and commercial furniture manufacturing. The increasing utilization of melamine as a strong and lightweight material in the automotive industry and rising demand from the packaging sector will drive market growth. Melamine is commonly used to produce food packaging materials such as plates, bowls, and cups due to its excellent resilience and heat and chemical tolerance.

Market Drivers

• Growing Demand for Laminates and Wood-Based Panels: Melamine is widely used in the production of decorative laminates and wood-based panels due to its high thermal resistance, hardness, and durability. With rising demand for aesthetically appealing, durable, and cost-effective furniture and interior decor in both residential and commercial construction sectors, the consumption of melamine is increasing steadily. Rapid urbanization, especially in emerging economies like India, China, and Southeast Asia, is further fueling construction activities, thereby augmenting the demand for melamine-based products.
• Expanding Automotive and Electronics Industries: The automotive and electronics industries use melamine in coatings, flame retardants, and molding compounds. Melamine resins provide excellent hardness, scratch resistance, and thermal stability, making them ideal for automotive interiors, electrical appliances, and electronic components. As vehicle production and consumer electronics usage continue to rise globally driven by technological advancements and rising disposable incomes the demand for melamine-based materials is growing in tandem.

Market Challenges

• Environmental and Health Concerns: Melamine has been associated with potential environmental and health hazards, especially when used in food-contact applications like tableware or in packaging. Incidents of contamination in the past, such as the melamine-tainted milk scandal in China, have raised safety concerns and led to stricter regulatory scrutiny. This has impacted market perception and increased compliance costs for manufacturers, posing a significant challenge to industry growth.
• Volatility in Raw Material Prices: The production of melamine is highly dependent on urea, a petrochemical derivative. Fluctuations in crude oil prices and supply chain disruptions can significantly affect urea availability and cost, leading to instability in melamine pricing. This volatility poses challenges for manufacturers in maintaining profit margins and planning long-term investments, especially in competitive markets.

Market Trends

• Shift Toward Sustainable and Bio-Based Alternatives: Growing global emphasis on sustainability is encouraging manufacturers to explore bio-based or environmentally friendly melamine substitutes. Companies are investing in R&D to reduce formaldehyde emissions from melamine-formaldehyde resins and to develop greener formulations. This trend is driven by both consumer awareness and tightening environmental regulations in regions like the EU and North America.
• Strategic Capacity Expansion and Regional Diversification: To meet growing regional demand and reduce reliance on imports, several producers are investing in capacity expansions, particularly in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Countries like China, which is both the largest producer and consumer, are seeing increased domestic investment, while others such as India, Iran, and Russia are ramping up production to cater to both local and export markets. This trend is reshaping global supply chains and increasing competition.

The Melamine Foams segment is the fastest-growing in the global melamine industry due to its expanding use in soundproofing, thermal insulation, and cleaning applications across construction, transportation, and consumer sectors.

Melamine foams are witnessing rapid growth in the global melamine industry primarily because of their unique structural and functional properties, which make them highly versatile across multiple end-use sectors. These foams are known for their excellent flame resistance, thermal stability, sound absorption, and lightweight nature qualities that are becoming increasingly crucial in modern infrastructure, automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries. In the construction sector, melamine foams are being increasingly adopted for acoustic insulation in residential and commercial buildings, driven by the global trend toward energy-efficient and soundproof structures.

As urbanization intensifies and noise pollution becomes a greater concern, demand for noise-dampening materials such as melamine foams has surged. Additionally, these foams are highly effective as thermal insulators, contributing to green building standards and sustainable construction practices, especially in Europe and North America where environmental regulations are stringent. Moreover, the transportation industry particularly automotive and railway sectors has emerged as a significant consumer of melamine foams due to their ability to reduce cabin noise and resist high temperatures, thereby improving passenger comfort and vehicle safety. In electric vehicles (EVs), melamine foams help insulate battery components and manage heat, further expanding their relevance in future mobility solutions. Another key driver is the increasing popularity of melamine foam-based cleaning products such as magic erasers, which have gained traction in households and commercial spaces due to their superior stain-removal capability without the use of harsh chemicals. The rise in consumer awareness regarding non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions has further accelerated demand in this area.

The Laminates application segment holds the largest share in the global melamine industry due to its widespread use in furniture, flooring, and interior décor, driven by melamine's durability, aesthetic versatility, and cost-effectiveness.

Melamine-formaldehyde resins, when used in the production of laminates, create high-pressure laminates (HPL) and low-pressure laminates (LPL), which are extensively used in the manufacturing of furniture, cabinetry, countertops, wall panels, and flooring. The rapid growth of the global construction and real estate industries especially in developing regions such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East has significantly increased demand for affordable and stylish interior solutions, positioning melamine-based laminates as the preferred material.

These laminates offer an excellent balance of aesthetics and performance, allowing manufacturers and consumers to replicate the appearance of expensive natural materials such as wood, stone, and marble at a fraction of the cost. The furniture industry, in particular, is a major driver of this demand. With rising urbanization, shrinking living spaces, and a growing middle-class population, especially in countries like China and India, there is a soaring need for modular and ready-to-assemble furniture, which heavily relies on melamine-based laminated boards. Additionally, the hospitality and commercial real estate sectors are increasingly using melamine laminates for decorative and functional purposes, owing to their low maintenance and long-lasting qualities. In Western markets such as Europe and North America, strict regulations on fire resistance, hygiene, and sustainability have further reinforced the use of melamine laminates in public and institutional buildings, including hospitals, schools, and offices.

The construction end-user segment is the fastest-growing in the global melamine industry due to rising global infrastructure development and the increasing use of melamine-based materials in durable, fire-retardant, and cost-effective construction components.

The construction industry is emerging as the fastest-growing end-user segment in the global melamine industry, primarily because of melamine’s critical role in producing high-performance building materials that align with the sector's evolving needs. Melamine is widely used in manufacturing laminates, panels, adhesives, and insulation foams materials that are essential in modern construction for both residential and commercial buildings. Its ability to enhance surface durability, resist moisture, and improve fire-retardancy makes melamine-based products particularly attractive in the context of increasing building safety standards and sustainability goals.

As urbanization accelerates across developing economies in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, governments and private investors are heavily investing in infrastructure projects, including housing, commercial complexes, transportation hubs, hospitals, and educational institutions. This growing demand for new construction is directly driving the need for melamine-derived components such as decorative laminates, melamine-faced chipboards, and melamine resins used in concrete additives. Additionally, the global emphasis on constructing eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings is contributing to melamine’s rising use in the sector. For example, melamine foam is gaining traction as an insulating material due to its lightweight nature and excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties. In high-rise structures and public buildings, the use of flame-retardant materials is not only recommended but often mandated, which has further boosted the consumption of melamine-based products.

The direct sales channel is the fastest-growing in the global melamine industry due to increasing manufacturer preference for cost-efficient, relationship-driven transactions that ensure better control over distribution, pricing, and customer feedback.

The direct sales channel is rapidly becoming the fastest-growing segment in the global melamine industry as manufacturers and suppliers increasingly prioritize direct engagement with end-users to optimize operational efficiency, reduce intermediary costs, and build long-term business relationships. Unlike traditional third-party distribution networks, direct sales enable producers to have greater control over pricing structures, inventory management, and brand positioning, which is crucial in a competitive and price-sensitive market like melamine.

This shift is particularly significant in the B2B landscape, where bulk buyers such as laminate manufacturers, construction firms, and furniture producers prefer direct deals with melamine suppliers to ensure consistency in quality, timely delivery, and tailored solutions. Direct communication fosters a stronger understanding of client-specific needs and opens opportunities for customized product offerings, including variations in resin formulations or panel dimensions. With growing infrastructure development and industrialization across regions like Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, companies are increasingly bypassing multi-layered distribution systems in favor of more transparent, scalable, and personalized direct sales models. This approach also enhances customer loyalty and allows suppliers to respond faster to market changes and feedback, improving innovation and service delivery. Moreover, advancements in digital technologies have significantly streamlined the direct sales process. E-commerce platforms, CRM tools, and digital procurement systems now enable melamine producers to reach clients directly with reduced overhead, even across geographically dispersed markets.

Asia Pacific is growing in the global cold pressed oil industry due to rising health consciousness, expanding middle-class population, and increasing demand for natural and chemical-free products.

Asia Pacific’s rapid growth in the global cold pressed oil industry is primarily fueled by a confluence of socioeconomic and cultural factors, notably the region’s increasing health awareness, growing disposable incomes, and a deep-rooted preference for natural remedies. In recent years, consumers across countries such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Australia have shown a significant shift toward healthier eating habits, spurred by rising incidences of lifestyle-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular ailments.

This shift has encouraged the demand for minimally processed, nutrient-rich oils such as cold pressed coconut, sesame, groundnut, and flaxseed oils, which are seen as superior alternatives to refined counterparts. Moreover, Asia Pacific houses a large and expanding middle-class demographic that is not only more informed about the health risks associated with chemical-laden products but is also willing to invest in premium, organic, and clean-label food items. The trend extends beyond the kitchen, as cold pressed oils are increasingly used in personal care, cosmetics, and Ayurvedic treatments, particularly in India and Southeast Asia where traditional practices still play a vital role in daily routines. Additionally, the burgeoning e-commerce sector has made these oils more accessible to consumers across urban and semi-urban areas, helping local and regional brands flourish by catering to diverse preferences and health needs. Government initiatives promoting organic farming, clean-label food production, and wellness awareness campaigns have further accelerated the industry’s momentum. Asia Pacific also benefits from a strong base of raw material availability such as coconuts, sesame seeds, mustard, and groundnuts enabling local producers to manufacture oils cost-effectively while maintaining quality.

• In February 2025, BASF launched Basotect EcoBalanced, the first melamine foam with a 50% lower carbon footprint. Made with renewable waste-based materials and green electricity, it supports sustainable sound absorption for transportation and construction industries.
• In September 2022, Eurotecnica secured two significant contracts to construct high-pressure melamine plants. The contracts entail the implementation of plants with capacities of 60,000 tons and 80,000 tons per year, respectively.
• In August 2022, PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) launched the Melamine plant project in the vicinity of PETRONAS Chemicals Fertilizer Kedah Sdn Bhd (PC FK). This project will help strengthen the area as a chemical-producing zone in the Asia-Pacific region.
• In February 2022, EuroChem offered to acquire Borealis AG's nitrogen, fertilizer, and melamine business. However, in March 2022, Borealis AG denied the offer. While the company rejected the offer, it remains open to exploring opportunities for its nitrogen business.
• In August 2021, Nissan Chemical Corporation decided to terminate melamine production. The company plans to concentrate on managing resources on high value-added products and high market share products with the expansion of sales and reduction of costs, thereby increasing the profitability of the chemical business.