Global PU Sole (Footwear Polyurethane) Market Size Study & Forecast, by Application (Casuals, Boots, Slippers & Sandals, Sports), by Raw Material, and Regional Forecasts 2025-2035

Description

The Global PU Sole (Footwear Polyurethane) Market is valued at approximately USD 5.61 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand at a promising CAGR of 7.80% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. Footwear made with polyurethane (PU) soles has gained considerable traction across fashion-forward and performance-driven segments due to its lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and cushioned properties. As consumers become increasingly conscious of comfort, durability, and style, PU soles have become a go-to material in manufacturing footwear ranging from casual wear to specialized athletic shoes. This evolution is further fueled by manufacturers' willingness to invest in polyurethane innovations that allow better moldability, eco-friendly compositions, and higher mechanical strength-thereby addressing both aesthetic and functional requirements of modern footwear consumers.

A substantial driver propelling the PU sole market forward is the booming demand from the global footwear industry, particularly within urbanizing economies. Consumers in both developed and emerging markets are leaning toward premium yet versatile footwear, resulting in high-volume production cycles across sportswear, casual shoes, and safety boots. Furthermore, PU's compatibility with advanced raw materials such as MDI, TDI, and polyols enhances customization and design flexibility-thus strengthening its position in the value chain. In addition, sustainability is steadily becoming a key decision-making criterion; polyurethane's recyclability and potential for bio-based alternatives are opening new avenues for green manufacturing in the footwear ecosystem.

Geographically, Asia Pacific is projected to dominate the PU sole market owing to a confluence of low-cost labor, expansive manufacturing infrastructure, and soaring domestic demand-particularly in China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The region's sprawling export networks and rising brand penetration make it an attractive hub for PU-based shoe production. North America is expected to retain steady growth, supported by high consumer preference for athletic and luxury footwear segments, as well as rising integration of sustainable materials into fashion lines. Meanwhile, Europe is increasingly pivoting toward environmentally responsible and vegan footwear materials, thus accelerating demand for PU alternatives to traditional leather. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also showcasing incremental gains due to increasing urbanization, population growth, and government-supported industrialization programs targeting textile and leather sectors.

Major market player included in this report are:

BASF SE
Huntsman Corporation
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
Croda International Plc.
Halliburton Company
Trican Well Service Ltd.
Aubin Group
Schlumberger Limited
M&D Industries Of Louisiana, Inc.
Baker Hughes Company
Impact Fluid Solutions
Dow Inc.
Clariant AG
Arkema S.A.

Global PU Sole (Footwear Polyurethane) Market Report Scope:

Historical Data - 2023, 2024
Base Year for Estimation - 2024
Forecast period - 2025-2035
Report Coverage - Revenue forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth factors, and Trends
Regional Scope - North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa
Customization Scope - Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts' working hours) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope*

The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values for the coming years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within the countries involved in the study. The report also provides detailed information about crucial aspects, such as driving factors and challenges, which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, it incorporates potential opportunities in micro-markets for stakeholders to invest, along with a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape and product offerings of key players.

The detailed segments and sub-segments of the market are explained below:

By Application:

Casuals
Boots
Slippers & Sandals
Sports
Formals

By Raw Material:

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI)
Toluene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (TDI)
Polyols

By Region:

North America
U.S.
Canada
Europe
UK
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Middle East & Africa
UAE
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key Takeaways:

Market Estimates & Forecast for 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
Annualized revenues and regional level analysis for each market segment.
Detailed analysis of geographical landscape with Country level analysis of major regions.
Competitive landscape with information on major players in the market.
Analysis of key business strategies and recommendations on future market approach.
Analysis of competitive structure of the market.
Demand side and supply side analysis of the market.

Chapter 1. Global PU Sole (Footwear Polyurethane) Market Report Scope & Methodology

1.1. Research Objective
1.2. Research Methodology
- 1.2.1. Forecast Model
- 1.2.2. Desk Research
- 1.2.3. Top Down and Bottom-Up Approach
1.3. Research Attributes
1.4. Scope of the Study
- 1.4.1. Market Definition
- 1.4.2. Market Segmentation
1.5. Research Assumption
- 1.5.1. Inclusion & Exclusion
- 1.5.2. Limitations
- 1.5.3. Years Considered for the Study

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. CEO/CXO Standpoint
2.2. Strategic Insights
2.3. ESG Analysis
2.4. Key Findings

Chapter 3. Global PU Sole (Footwear Polyurethane) Market Forces Analysis

3.1. Market Forces Shaping the Global PU Sole Market (2024-2035)
3.2. Drivers
- 3.2.1. Increasing Demand for Lightweight, Durable, and Comfortable Footwear
- 3.2.2. Rapid Urbanization and Footwear Demand in Emerging Markets
3.3. Restraints
- 3.3.1. Environmental Concerns Over Petrochemical-Based Raw Materials
- 3.3.2. Fluctuating Costs of MDI, TDI, and Polyols
3.4. Opportunities
- 3.4.1. Rising Adoption of Bio-Based and Recyclable Polyurethane Alternatives
- 3.4.2. Technological Advancements in Sole Design and Production Efficiency

Chapter 4. Global PU Sole Industry Analysis

4.1. Porter's 5 Forces Model
- 4.1.1. Bargaining Power of Buyer
- 4.1.2. Bargaining Power of Supplier
- 4.1.3. Threat of New Entrants
- 4.1.4. Threat of Substitutes
- 4.1.5. Competitive Rivalry
4.2. Porter's 5 Force Forecast Model (2024-2035)
4.3. PESTEL Analysis
- 4.3.1. Political
- 4.3.2. Economical
- 4.3.3. Social
- 4.3.4. Technological
- 4.3.5. Environmental
- 4.3.6. Legal
4.4. Top Investment Opportunities
4.5. Top Winning Strategies (2025)
4.6. Market Share Analysis (2024-2025)
4.7. Global Pricing Analysis and Trends 2025
4.8. Analyst Recommendation & Conclusion

Chapter 5. Global PU Sole Market Size & Forecasts by Application 2025-2035

5.1. Market Overview
5.2. Global PU Sole Market Performance - Potential Analysis (2025)
5.3. Casuals
- 5.3.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 5.3.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
5.4. Boots
- 5.4.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 5.4.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
5.5. Slippers & Sandals
- 5.5.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 5.5.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
5.6. Sports
- 5.6.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 5.6.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
5.7. Formals
- 5.7.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 5.7.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035

Chapter 6. Global PU Sole Market Size & Forecasts by Raw Material 2025-2035

6.1. Market Overview
6.2. Global PU Sole Market Performance - Potential Analysis (2025)
6.3. Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI)
- 6.3.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 6.3.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
6.4. Toluene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (TDI)
- 6.4.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 6.4.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035
6.5. Polyols
- 6.5.1. Top Countries Breakdown Estimates & Forecasts, 2024-2035
- 6.5.2. Market Size Analysis, by Region, 2025-2035

Chapter 7. Global PU Sole Market Size & Forecasts by Region 2025-2035

7.1. PU Sole Market, Regional Market Snapshot
7.2. Top Leading & Emerging Countries
7.3. North America PU Sole Market
- 7.3.1. U.S. PU Sole Market
  - 7.3.1.1. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
  - 7.3.1.2. Raw Material Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
- 7.3.2. Canada PU Sole Market
  - 7.3.2.1. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
  - 7.3.2.2. Raw Material Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
7.4. Europe PU Sole Market
- 7.4.1. UK PU Sole Market
  - 7.4.1.1. Application Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
  - 7.4.1.2. Raw Material Breakdown Size & Forecasts, 2025-2035
- 7.4.2. Germany PU Sole Market
- 7.4.3. France PU Sole Market
- 7.4.4. Spain PU Sole Market
- 7.4.5. Italy PU Sole Market
- 7.4.6. Rest of Europe PU Sole Market
7.5. Asia Pacific PU Sole Market
- 7.5.1. China PU Sole Market
- 7.5.2. India PU Sole Market
- 7.5.3. Japan PU Sole Market
- 7.5.4. Australia PU Sole Market
- 7.5.5. South Korea PU Sole Market
- 7.5.6. Rest of Asia Pacific PU Sole Market
7.6. Latin America PU Sole Market
- 7.6.1. Brazil PU Sole Market
- 7.6.2. Mexico PU Sole Market
7.7. Middle East & Africa PU Sole Market
- 7.7.1. UAE PU Sole Market
- 7.7.2. Saudi Arabia PU Sole Market
- 7.7.3. South Africa PU Sole Market
- 7.7.4. Rest of Middle East & Africa PU Sole Market

Chapter 8. Competitive Intelligence

8.1. Top Market Strategies
8.2. BASF SE
- 8.2.1. Company Overview
- 8.2.2. Key Executives
- 8.2.3. Company Snapshot
- 8.2.4. Financial Performance (Subject to Data Availability)
- 8.2.5. Product/Services Port
- 8.2.6. Recent Development
- 8.2.7. Market Strategies
- 8.2.8. SWOT Analysis
8.3. Huntsman Corporation
8.4. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
8.5. Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
8.6. Croda International Plc.
8.7. Halliburton Company
8.8. Trican Well Service Ltd.
8.9. Aubin Group
8.10. Schlumberger Limited
8.11. M&D Industries Of Louisiana, Inc.
8.12. Baker Hughes Company
8.13. Impact Fluid Solutions
8.14. Dow Inc.
8.15. Clariant AG
8.16. Arkema S.A.