Shortage of PIR insulation

Hardware Association Ireland recently requested an update on the shortage of PIR insulation from three leading providers in Ireland. Quinn Building Products responded to this request as follows:

“The current situation pertaining to the supply of Quinn Therm has been caused by a shortage of MDI, a critical chemical raw material used in the manufacture of PIR Insulation.

Throughout April we experienced an interruption to the supply of MDI and whilst we could continue with some production and supply product this had a negative impact on our ability to build and maintain stock levels to the desired level.

In late April our major supplier, Covestro, announced a ‘Force Majeure’ which essentially suspended all deliveries of MDI to our plant.  We did receive some MDI in May albeit below normal levels but far below our requirements. The situation for June is something similar and there is no indication at this stage that these shortages will be short-lived and indeed it is estimated that they will continue to be a feature into late this year or into 2018.

There are a very limited number of suppliers of MDI worldwide and the demand relative to supply has also seen us experience unprecedented increases in the cost of this product since November of 2016.  This has resulted in several price increases having to be implemented in the market for PIR since then.”

There was no response from the other two suppliers. HAI will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when available.