Architectural Aerosols in China: Market Growth, Applications, and Future Trends
Introduction to Architectural Aerosols in China
In the architectural industry, building materials include traditional materials such as iron, steel, cement, wood and stone, together with the chemical materials such as architectural aerosols which arise at the end of the twentieth century. In China, a major part of architectural aerosol is polyurethane materials with the minor part of other chemical materials which maintain, clean and decorate building. The architectural aerosols install chemical materials of special functions and the pressure of the propellants to make the chemical materials spray with specific conditions to satisfy the requirements of products for architectural engineering. At present, the most widely used product is One Component Polyurethane Foam (the abbreviated OCF)

Architectural aerosols, particularly One-Component Polyurethane Foam (OCF), have revolutionized China’s construction sector. These products combine aerosol technology with polyurethane chemistry to deliver efficient solutions for sealing, insulation, bonding, and soundproofing. With rapid urbanization and government policies promoting energy efficiency, China has emerged as the world’s largest OCF producer and consumer, achieving an annual consumption of 350 million cans (170,000 tons) by 2014.

OCF Technology Development and Market History
Standardization Drives Domestication
In 2004 JC936-2004 the development of industry standards marked the standardization of OCF technology. By 2008, China achieved localized production of the whole industry chain of OCF, and domestic production of raw materials (such as polyether’s, isocyanates) and auxiliary materials. In 2008-2014, the OCF market grew at an average annual rate of 25%, with infrastructure demand in the Midwest being the main driver.
International Brand Layout
Belgium SOUDAL (2008 Jiangsu Taicang Construction Plant) and Poland SELENA (2010 Jiangsu Nantong Construction Plant) and other international enterprises entered the Chinese market, intensifying competition in the industry.
Characteristics of architectural aerosols
Key Characteristics of OCF
OCF stands out for its versatility and user-friendly design:
- Convenience: DIY-friendly, requiring no specialized tools.
- Rapid Curing: Achieves 80 kPa adhesive strength in 30 minutes.
- Multi-Functional: Moisture-cured, flame-retardant (B1/B2/B3 grades), and waterproof.
- Broad Compatibility: Bonds with concrete, wood, metal, and more.
Aerosol polyurethane foam is an indispensable material in architectural industry with the function of bonding, sealing filling and sound insulation. Its new application has been constantly expanding. The aerosol glue of polyurethane arose in two years, which could replace the traditional concrete construction such as cement mortar. This kind of product has the advantage of fast drying, environment cleaning and convenient usage. High binding strength can be achieved in only 30 minutes, which is about 2 to 3 times that of mortar. The construction time has been saved 5 times compared with the traditional construction ways, and the workload 7 times.

Market Drivers and Applications
1. Energy Efficiency Policies
China’s push for green buildings mandates high-performance insulation. OCF reduces energy loss by sealing gaps in windows and walls, supporting compliance with national standards like the Thermal Insulation Building Materials Catalog.
2. Environmental Regulations
OCF replaces cement mortar, eliminating dust pollution and reducing construction time by 5–7x. Products like low-VOC and low-shrinkage OCF align with stricter environmental guidelines.
3. Rural Development Initiatives
The New Rural Construction Policy targets over 6.5 million villages, creating demand for affordable, easy-to-use building materials.
4. Expanding Applications
Beyond construction, OCF is used in:
Advertising models (repairing sand tables).
Transportation (vehicle leak-proofing).
Landscaping (lightweight floral installations).
Donyan Polyurethane Foam B2
Polyurethane Foam pu foam B2
- Excellent insulation capacities
- B2 fire rating
- High yield up to 52 L
- Strong surface after cured
- Environmentally friendly
Classification System
By formulation type :1K standard (single tank prepolymer), 2K bicomponent (divided isocyanate and polyol).
By Purpose: Filling type: for wall holes, door and window gaps.
Bonding type: insulation plate fixed, tile bonding.
Sound insulation type: pipe insulation, air conditioning noise reduction.
By way of use: gun (professional construction) and tube (DIY).
Donyan Polyurethane Foam A2
Polyurethane Foam pu foam A2
- High Hardness
- Easy & Convenient
Application classification and market share of OCF
Classification | Specifications | Market Share |
Packing volume | 750ml | 75% |
500ml | 20% | |
300ml | 5% | |
Fire resistance | B3 | 90% |
B2 | 10% | |
Usage mode | Pistol | 65% |
Adaptor | 35% | |
Application market | Specialized market | 95% |
DIY market | 5% | |
Function | Filling | 80% |
sticking | 20% |
Future Trends in Architectural Aerosols
- Sustainability: Development of OCF with low ODP/GWP propellants (e.g., HFO-1234ze).
- Fire Safety: Rising demand for B1-class fire-retardant foams as building codes tighten.
- Automation: Increased adoption of robotic spraying systems to enhance precision.
- DIY Market Growth: Expansion into retail channels, mirroring trends in Europe and the U.S.
Architectural aerosols, especially the OCF products, have a rapid development in recent 10 year in China. With the industry standard of JC936-2004 implemented in 2004, the application of OCF has been promoted greatly in architectural engineering. The OCF industry has higher marketization degrees and enough competition in the domestic market. Currently, there are about 9-10 large-scale production enterprises. OCF industry has been continuing to progress with constant improvement of production, production efficiency, quality control system, product quality and the development of new products.

China’s architectural aerosol industry, led by OCF, is poised for sustained growth. With advancements in eco-friendly formulations and strategic alignment with national policies, manufacturers like Shanghai Dongyuan are setting global benchmarks. For professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, OCF offers a cost-effective, efficient solution for modern construction challenges.