Global footwear consumption could increase by 7.6pc on the year in 2025, according to a survey by footwear industry association World Footwear, potentially supporting demand for polyurethane (PU) this year.
The increase in global footwear consumption could boost demand for key components in the production of PU for the footwear industry, including monomeric MDI (MMDI), aliphatic polyester polyols and polymeric polyester polyols.
Consumption will grow by 14.9pc in Africa, by 7.5pc in Asia, by 3.9pc in North America and by 2pc in Europe, according to the survey, but could decline by 0.5pc in South America and by 3.9pc in Oceania.
The geographic divergence "highlights the shifting centre of gravity in the global footwear industry toward emerging markets [...] while established markets face greater challenges," World Footwear said.
World Footwear also said that supply chain pressures and higher input costs continue to squeeze profit margins. Survey respondents said that the cost of raw materials was the top concern for the industry.