High-Temperature Thermoplastics market size is forecast to reach US$28.3 billion by 2026, after growing at a CAGR of 8.9% during 2021-2026.
High-Temperature Thermoplastics market size is forecast to reach US$28.3 billion by 2026, after growing at a CAGR of 8.9% during 2021-2026. High temperature thermoplastic materials are a specialized and rapidly growing segment of the plastics market. These are used in specialized applications that require a combination of extraordinary properties. The High temperature thermoplastics, also known as high performance thermoplastics, have melting points between 650 and 725°F which is up to 100% more than standard engineering thermoplastics. There are various types of high temperature thermoplastics such as polyimides (PI), fluoropolymers, aromatic polyketones, high-performance polyamides (HPPA), polybenzimidazoles (PBI), polyphenylene sulfides and sulfone polymers to name a few. These thermoplastics have higher heat deflection temperatures, glass transition temperatures, and continuous use temperature. Because of these extraordinary properties, high-temperature thermoplastics can be used for a diverse set of industries such as electrical, medical devices, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and many other specialized applications. The flourishing medical industry is the key driver for the high temperature thermoplastics during the forecast period.
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 virus has spread worldwide without acknowledging borders. It has impacted all industries, all sectors and all aspects of life with devastating economic and financial losses. The core industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy industry are highly impacted. The automotive industry suffered major setbacks. Many automotive plants had to be shut due to lockdowns and social distancing policy. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) the total production of vehicles declined by 16% in 2020. 77.62 million vehicles were produced in 2020 whereas 91.79 million vehicles were produced in 2019. Supply chain disruptions, raw material delays, delays in availability of models, deferred launches and shrinkage in consumer demand have also added to the woes. Hence, this has impacted the high temperature thermoplastics market in 2020.
Report Coverage
The report: “High Temperature Thermoplastics Market – Forecast (2021-2026)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the High Temperature Thermoplastics Market.
By Resin: Fluoropolymers ( Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), and Others), Sulfone Polymers (Polysulfone (PS), Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyphenylsulfone (PPS), and Others), Polyimides (Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyamideimide (PAI), and Polyesterimide (PEI)), Aromatic Ketone Polymers (Polyetherketone (PEK), Polyetherketone Ketone (PEKK), and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)), High Performance Polyamides HPPA (Polyphthalamide and Polyacrylamide), Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polybenzimidazole (PBI), Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), and Others.
By Form: Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline.
By Temperature: High Temperature Thermoplastics, and Extreme Temperature Thermoplastics.
By End-Use Industry: Aerospace (Commercial, Military, and Others), Automotive (Passenger Vehicles (PV), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV)), Electrical and Electronics (Semiconductors, Display, Electronic Components, Wires & Cables and Others), Medical (Surgical Equipment, Medical Devices, Drug Delivery, Diagnostics and Others), Building and Construction (Residential, and Commercial), Oil and Gas, Heavy Machinery Manufacturing (Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Construction Equipment, Chemical Processing Equipment, Wastewater Treatment Equipment and Others), Chemical, Energy (Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Nuclear Energy, and Others), Consumer Goods, Defense and Others.
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa).
Key Takeaways
- Asia-Pacific dominates the High Temperature Thermoplastics market, owing to the growing electrical & electronics industries in the region. According to Invest India, the domestic electronics market in India to attain US$400 billion by 2025.
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is the most widely used high temperature thermoplastic and manufactured in large scale, owing to its unique combination of mechanical properties, resistance to chemicals, wear, fatigue and creep as well as exceptionally high temperature resistance, up to 260°C. High performance polyamides (HPPA) are used to make durable, functional components for automotive thermal management and other demanding applications because they maintain excellent strength and toughness during exposure to hot, aggressive automotive fluids and to hot air.
- There has been an increase in usage of high temperature thermoplastics in the medical industry as they can withstand sterilization by steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide, etc. According to a recent study by research and development company Battelle, Material failure is a major or possible cause for 30% to 40% of medical device recalls by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This is one of the major reasons why high temperature thermoplastics are preferred in the medical industry
- The major opportunity for this market is high research spending and growing awareness in society.
The fluoropolymers segment held the largest share in the high temperature thermoplastics market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period due to their suitability in several application areas. Fluoropolymers include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene and others. Fluoropolymers are used in applications requiring chemical resistance, thermal stability, cryogenic properties, low coefficient of friction, low surface energy, low dielectric constant, high volume and surface resistivity, and flame resistance. They are used as liners (process surface) because of their resistance to chemical attacks. They provide durable, low maintenance, and economical alternatives to exotic metals for use at high temperatures without introducing impurities. A substantial rebound in nonresidential building activity, especially in the office and commercial sector, will spur demand for fluorinated ethylene propylene, which is widely used in wire and cable applications. In houseware, fluoropolymers are applied as nonstick coatings on cookware, bakeware, and appliance surfaces. Medical products such as surgical patches and cardiovascular grafts rely on the long-term stability of fluoropolymers as well as their low surface energy and chemical resistance. For airports, stadiums, and other structures, glass fibre fabric coated with PTFE is fabricated into roofing and enclosures. PTFE provides excellent resistance to weathering, including exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight, flame resistance for safety, and low surface energy for soil resistance and easy cleaning. Hence, fluoropolymers are anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Segment Analysis – By Form
The semi-crystalline segment held the largest share of more than 60% in the High temperature thermoplastics market in 2020. High temperature thermoplastics can be divided into amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers, just like all polymers. Polysulfone, polyethersulfone (PES) and polyetherimide (PEI) for example are amorphous; polyphenylene sulfide(PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketone (PEK), however are semi-crystalline. They have a sharply defined melting point and glass transition temperature. The main advantage of semi-crystalline polymers is their high resistance against chemical substances. For instance, PEEK possesses a high resistance against aqueous acids, alkalis and organic solvents. PEEK exhibits exceptional tensile properties and excellent creep resistance. Thanks to these properties, PEEK and its composites are widely used in aerospace, automotive, structural, high temperature electrical and biomedical applications. Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a semi-crystalline high temperature thermoplastic, is used to create strong synthetic fibers and textiles that strongly resist both chemicals and heat. These fibers can be found in applications such as coal boilers, electrical insulation, film capacitors, fuel and brake systems, heat shields, and more. Hence, the semi-crystalline segment occupies the largest share in the high temperature thermoplastics market.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Segment Analysis – By Temperature
The extreme high temperature thermoplastics segment held a significant share in the high temperature thermoplastics market in 2020. Heat resistance is one of the defining properties of high temperature thermoplastics. Based on temperature, they can be classified as high temperature thermoplastics (150°C to 240°C) and extreme high temperature thermoplastics (above 240°C). PEEK, PI, and PBI are considered extremely high temperature thermoplastics. Polyimide can withstand heating up to 300°C repeatedly without affecting its thermal or mechanical properties. Hence, it finds applications in jet engines, machinery and automotive parts. Therefore, the extremely high temperature thermoplastics are expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Segment Analysis – By End-Use Industry
The aerospace segment held the largest share in the high temperature thermoplastics market in 2020 and is growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2021 to 2026. High temperature thermoplastics generally exhibit superior impact toughness, fire/smoke/toxicity performance. High temperature thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI) and PEEK show many favourable characteristics for application in aerospace components. Although expensive, this can be offset by reduced handling, processing and maintenance costs. For high temperature applications, PEEK, PPS and PEI offer excellent thermal stability. This is a critical property in military aero engines and supersonic jets where aerofriction heating can generate temperatures beyond 180°C. Polyimides perform exceptionally in extreme aerospace and defense operating temperatures in excess of 260–371°C. Hence, they are used to replace traditional titanium and other metals in jet engines, ducts, and stators, rocket engine nozzles and thrusters, heat shields, and missile leading edges, offering increased design flexibility and significant weight savings. Therefore, the recovering aerospace industry is projected to fuel the growth of the global high temperature thermoplastics market over the forecast period.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Segment Analysis – By Geography
The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share in the High Temperature Thermoplastics market in 2020 up to 39%, owing to the growing electronics and medical industries in the region. High temperature thermoplastics such as aromatic polyimides, fluoropolymers, liquid crystalline polymers, polyketones, and sulfone polymers are widely used in electric and electronic, and medical applications that involve high temperature and extreme environments. They are widely used in medical device applications due to combinations of good mechanical and chemical properties, ability to tolerate various sterilization protocols, and biocompatibility. The need for higher temperature and higher performance materials has led to the use of aromatic polysulfones, polyimides, aromatic polyketones, and polysulfides in demanding components and applications like medical trays, surgical and dental instruments, medical electronic components, drug delivery components, and machined parts. Fluoropolymers have been used in packaging, tubing, insulating materials, endoscopic, endocardial and endotracheal devices, catheter liners, and surgical instruments. The growing geriatric population, the incidence rate of diseases, and the increasing need to curb healthcare expenditure as an economically viable initiative are some high-impact rendering drivers of the medical industry in this region. The electric and electronics industry is the world's third-largest plastics end-user segment. This industry consumes approximately 27 billion pounds of total plastics usage globally. The rapid advances in the electric & electronic industry are spurring numerous advancements in thermoplastics that can match the growing complexities of electronic devices. Compounds made of high-temperature thermoplastics such as liquid crystal polymer and sulfone polymers used in molded interconnect devices and low-k dielectric polymers in semiconductor fabrication are also set to witness strong growth. China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India are the largest consumer of high temperature thermoplastics in the region. For instance, according to the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Cambodia-South Korea trade amounted to $884.88 million in 2020. Cambodia imported goods over $567 million from South Korea including electronics. Significant economic development in this region is leading to a higher demand for high temperature thermoplastics especially in the medical, automotive, and electrical and electronics industries in the region. Therefore, the growing end-use industries contribute towards the growth of high temperature thermoplastics in this region.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Drivers
Growing applications in the medical industry
Compared to the larger volume engineering thermoplastics, high temperature thermoplastics exhibit superior short and long-term thermal properties, and chemical stability due to their higher melting point and stronger inter and intramolecular bonds. They also possess superior mechanical properties, particularly at elevated temperatures, including higher stiffness, strength, and resistance to creep, wear and fatigue. Most high temperature thermoplastics can withstand long-term operating temperatures of at least 150°C and short-term use temperatures of greater than 250°C. They can also endure multiple cycles and doses of all radiation types and have an outstanding ability to be molded into parts with tight tolerance. High-temperature thermoplastics currently enjoy a rapidly growing segment of the plastics market, including in various medical applications. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is commonly used as a replacement for glass, stainless steel, and other metals in several medical applications such as dialyzers, dental instruments and handles on syringes, endoscopes, etc. Sulfone polymers are commonly used to manufacture parts and membranes of dialyzers, surgical theater luminaries, sterilizing boxes, secretion bottles, reusable syringes, and infusion equipment. Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP) are used to replace metal in medical device applications for microsystem technology and minimally invasive surgery. Hence, the increasing medical applications are set to act as a major driver for the high temperature thermoplastics market during the forecast period.
Recyclable
Globally, poor waste management remains an issue of concern in an environment due to inadequate policies, legislation, and public enlightenment on waste disposal. Plastic wastes end up in landfills, beaches, rivers, and oceans, thereby causing environmental problems. The 3Rs (i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycle) have contributed to the minimization of waste in the environment. Plastic recycling is the best means of minimizing plastic waste. Plastic recycling refers to a process of achieving useful products from waste plastics after reprocessing or re-melting. Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available that provides a solution to environmental and ecological threats posed by reducing oil usage, carbon dioxide emissions, and the quantities of waste requiring disposal. High temperature thermoplastics are easily recyclable because the polymer chain does not degrade when melted down. The weaker interactions between polymer chains break down at much lower temperatures than the chemical bonds between monomers, allowing these thermoplastics to be recycled indefinitely. For instance, PEEK is fully recyclable, either mechanically or as feedstock. Energy from waste can be recovered at incineration plants. As a result, the recyclable nature will subsequently drive the high temperature thermoplastics market growth during the forecast period.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Challenges
Expensive High Temperature Thermoplastics
High temperature thermoplastics are more expensive when compared to engineered plastics. The price per kilogram may be between $5 (PA) and $100 (PEEK). High temperature thermoplastics are thus about 3 to 20 times as expensive as engineering plastics. Even though they have a higher price compared to engineering plastics, they are chosen when their special features compensate for their cost. They are replacing conventional materials used in aerospace and automotive applications such as ceramics and metals mainly due to their lightness, high heat and oxidative resistance, chemical inertness, high dimensional stability, corrosion resistance, and ability to maintain mechanical and physical properties over a wide temperature range. However, being expensive may constrain the high temperature thermoplastics market.
High Temperature Thermoplastics Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the high temperature thermoplastics market. High temperature thermoplastics market top companies include:
Solvay
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
Celanese Corporation
BASF
Arkema S.A.
Royal DSM
Sumitomo Chemicals
DIC Corporation
Nytef Plastics
GSF Plastics Corporation
Dyneon Fluoropolymers
Emsigner
Acquisitions/Technology Launches
- In May 2021, Material & Design Solutions (MDS), a provider of high-performance thermoplastic components that include PEEK, PTFE, PPS, PI, and other thermoplastic polymers, for a variety of critical services applications in sealing applications for use in high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive environments, announced the acquisition of the assets of APS Plastics and Manufacturing.
- In May 2021, Arkema announced plans to acquire Agiplast, a leader in the regeneration of high-performance polymers, in particular specialty polyamides and fluoropolymers. With this acquisition, Arkema will be the first fully integrated high-performance polymer manufacturer offering both bio-based and recycled materials in order to address the challenges of resource scarcity and end-of-life products.
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