chemical · input
Melamine (C₃H₆N₆) produced from urea by trimerization. Primary industrial uses: (1) melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins for high-pressure laminates (HPL) used in countertops, furniture, wall panels — traded brand name Formica; (2) melamine polysulfonate (MSF) concrete superplasticizers enabling high-strength, low water-cement ratio concrete for infrastructure; (3) nitrogen-based flame retardants for textiles, foams, and polymers. World top producers: Borealis (Austria), OCI Nitrogen (Netherlands), SABIC AN (Saudi Arabia), Nissan Chemical (Japan).
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Source countries
6
Companies
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Goods affected
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Claims on record
Where it comes from
Share of global supply, by country.
| Country | Share of supply |
|---|---|
| CNChina | 56% |
| NLNetherlands | 14% |
| PLPoland | 9% |
| ATAustria | 8% |
| USUnited States | 7% |
| SASaudi Arabia | 5% |
| JPJapan | 4% |
Who makes it
6 companies produce melamine (laminates / concrete superplasticizers / flame retardants).
Largest melamine producer outside China; 150,000 t/yr at Chemelot site (Geleen, Netherlands). Two production lines: 120,000 + 30,000 t/yr. Part of OCI Global (NYSE: OCI), a nitrogen fertilizer and industrial chemicals group. Also produces ammonium nitrate, CAN fertilizers, AdBlue.
Poland's largest and Europe's second-largest nitrogen chemical producer. Melamine produced at subsidiary Grupa Azoty Pulawy (96,000 t/yr -- claimed third-largest globally). State-controlled; listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange. Also produces fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea, caprolactam), plastics precursors.
Formerly Borealis Melamine (Agrolinz Melamine International). Borealis sold its entire nitrogen/melamine business to Agrofert (Czech agrochemical conglomerate) in July 2023; rebranded as LAT Nitrogen. Plant in Linz, Austria (~85,000-90,000 t/yr capacity). Agrofert is the largest Czech private company, controlled by former Czech PM Andrej Babis.
The only melamine manufacturer in the United States; 75,000 t/yr at Waggaman, Louisiana (800-acre Cornerstone Energy Park, west of New Orleans). Also produces acrylonitrile and sulfuric acid. Filed AD/CVD petitions in Feb 2024 against melamine imports from Germany, India, Japan, Netherlands, Qatar, and Trinidad & Tobago. Gulf Coast location creates hurricane exposure risk.
Saudi Arabian ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer producer; subsidiary of SABIC (Saudi Aramco majority owner). Plants at Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia. Produces ammonia using Saudi natural gas feedstock at highly competitive cost. Major exporter to Asia-Pacific. Building 6th facility: 1.2M MT/year low-carbon 'blue' ammonia + 1.1M MT/year urea. Saudi Arabia and Qatar together are primary Middle East ammonia producers (~4-5% of global capacity combined).
Japanese chemical company; melamine factory in Toyama, Japan operational since 1964. Also produces agrochemicals, electronic materials (semiconductor CMP slurries), functional materials. Melamine is a legacy business as capacity exceeds demand globally; rationalization possible. Ticker: TYO:4021.
