The global low-profile additives market size was estimated at USD 655.3 million in 2022 and is expected to progress with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% during the period from 2023 to 2030. The growing automotive and construction industry is potentially driving the demand for low-profile additives (LPA) for imparting toughness properties to plastic resins. Low-profile additives are thermoplastic polymers that are used to enhance composite materials. Its main purpose is to improve composites' surface finish by giving them a smoother and more textured structure than would otherwise be possible during production. Avoiding surface damage is favorable, which works well, and it successfully improves the surface's attractiveness. In order to prevent contraction during the polymerization step and maintain the durability of the composite, this low-profile combination is typically used.
Moreover, surging demand for sheet molding compounds/bulk molding compounds pultruded plastics, and resin transfer molding products in automobiles, construction, and infrastructural activities are likely to boost the demand. The primary source of demand for low-profile additives is the widespread usage of plastic composites used to replace metal in various end-use industries.
For instance, plastic composites being lightweight and highly durable, they are used as an alternative to aluminum and steel components, increasing their share in the overall structure of an airplane. Reduction in overall aircraft weight directly affects performance and efficiency. In addition, with reduction of 1 kilogram (kg) weight is estimated to nullify lifetime operating costs associated with fuel, for a commercial aircraft.
The U.S. dominated the low-profile additives market in North America in 2022. Demand for sheet-molded parts is witnessing an increase due to their application in outer shells of passenger vehicles and advantageous properties, such as lightweight and ease of production. Moreover, the significant presence of low-profile additives manufacturers and raw material suppliers in the country is expected to significantly drive product demand over the forecast period.
The U.S. has a robust automotive sector vital to its economy. The trade relations of the U.S. with other North American countries such as Mexico and Canada have supported automobile exports from the U.S. Polymer composites have long been promoted in the automotive industry as a weight-saving alternative to heavy metal components while retaining other beneficial characteristics like mechanical strength. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) awarded a Cooperative Agreement DEEE0009204 to General Motors Company for the development of plastic composites for electric vehicle battery enclosures. The growing penetration of electric vehicles in the U.S. and the initiatives introduced by the U.S. government agencies to promote the development of plastic composites for automobiles can positively impact the low-profile additives market in the U.S.
The Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) segment dominated the market and accounted for over 38.0% of the overall revenue share. Its utilization in various compounding procedures is expected to rise due to advantageous characteristics such as an increased surface gloss and nearly no shrinkage. The polymer surface shrinking results in a rough topography and low glossiness. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has experienced tremendous growth during the forecast period. The market is anticipated to be driven by rising demand from the automotive sector, where high-quality surface finishes are necessary. In addition, it is projected that over the projection period, the rising construction industry in emerging economies will drive demand for LPAs.
Polystyrene (PS) is generally used for hard and brittle applications. The segment is likely to witness high demand over the forecast period due to the low cost of the product. Growing demand from the construction industry and sheet molding compounds (SMC) and bulk molding compounds (BMC) applications are expected to drive this segment. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has good processing ability and mechanical properties, which, in turn, is likely to increase its application in compounding processes. Rising demand for desired quality and shaped products is expected to drive the demand for HDPE LPA over the forecast period.
The anti-shrinkage segment dominated the market and accounted for over 84.0% share in terms of revenue in 2022. The composites industry most frequently uses unsaturated polyester (UP) resins. Alkyd oligomer and styrene monomer copolymerize at low temperatures, resulting in 5–10% volume shrinkage, which may affect the generated components' surface quality and dimensional control.
These shrinkage issues lead to warpage and the inability to precisely recreate the mold, as well as surface quality faults like sink-mark formation and part-surface waviness (mold shrinkage or dimensional control). The low-profile additives help lessen polymerization shrinkage into the resin composition. Mottling is considered as color variation or lightness of paint coatings. Pigmentation is another function exhibited by the low-profile additives which help in pigmentation and counter mottling.
The sheet molding compounds/bulk molding compounds (SMC/BMC) segment dominated the market and accounted for over 52.0% of the share in terms of revenue in 2022. LPA is a necessary ingredient in resin mixture during SMC/BMC processes as it helps in improving surface smoothness and controlling shrinkage resulting from molding the finished part. The use of fiber-reinforced unsaturated polymer resin composites in the form of SMC as well as BMC preforms is expected to register the fastest growth in the Asia Pacific due to rising demand from countries, such as China, Japan, and India. The growth of the automotive industry in the region is likely to have a positive impact on the growth of the SMC/BMC segment as these are increasingly used in automotive body panels, truck components, and semi-structural parts.
Pultrusion is an automated closed-molding method used to create composites made of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). The finished product is a sturdy, lightweight FRP made by pultruding fiberglass rovings until they are soaked with resin and then hardened in a heated steel die. Currently, pultruded products are employed in a variety of sectors including mass transit, electrics, building, and architecture, but FRP composites have changed and are still revolutionizing the aerospace sector which can drive the consumption of low-profile additives.
Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is one of the few low temperatures and pressure molding techniques currently available in the market. It is gaining widespread attention owing to its low cost and convenient operation. The resin transfer molding process is expected to gain traction in the forthcoming years, particularly to eliminate voids and enhance fiber/resin wet-out.
Asia Pacific was the dominant regional segment occupying over 48.0% market share in terms of revenue in 2022, followed by Europe and North America. The region is projected to account for a significant market share during the forecast period on account of increasing demand for SMC and BMC composite solutions. This is attributed to their excellent features, such as high strength and stiffness, lower weight, low emission, superior electrical performance, and high thermal resistance.
The steady growth of the construction industry owing to growing urbanization and an increase in renovation activities are expected to boost the demand for plastics in roofing in the Asia Pacific. China, India, and Japan are the major producers of construction plastics. Increasing governmental support in the form of tax benefits and financial incentives in the Chinese and Indian petrochemicals industry to increase the flow of FDI is also expected to contribute to regional growth.
The automotive industry plays a significant role in the economy of Europe and is also accountable for 25.0% of the continent's overall greenhouse gas emissions. The RECOTRANS project supported by the European Union intends to create cutting-edge methods for producing lightweight materials for the transportation industry as well as fuel-efficient automobiles. These regional initiatives may increase demand for polymer composites and hence increase the use of low-profile additives.
The global low-profile additives market is fragmented and highly competitive with the presence of a number of multinational companies across the major economies. The market players cater to local as well as international markets. The companies lay high emphasis on increasing the area of operation in order to increase the market share and drive the revenues of the company. This provides the company with a different business portfolio that accounts for an increase in sales.
Low-profile additive manufacturing companies are seen developing new products with the aim of strengthening their market position. For instance, in February 2020, INEOS introduced Aropol LP 67400 low-profile additives exhibiting low shrinkage. Some of the prominent players in the global low-profile additives market include:
Wacker Chemie AG
INEOS
Polynt S.p.A.
Vin Industries
BASF SE
ALTANA divisions
Polychem
SWANCOR
Aromax Technology
Interplastic Corporation
Synthomer PLC
AOC
Mechemco
Taak Resin Co.
NOF EUROPE GmbH
LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 705.94 million |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 1.2 billion |
Growth Rate |
CAGR of 8.5% from 2023 to 2030 |
Base year for estimation |
2022 |
Historical data |
2018 - 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 - 2030 |
Quantitative units |
Volume in tons, revenue in USD million, and CAGR (%) from 2023 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Volume forecast, revenue forecast, company profiles, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Product, function, application, region |
Region scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; France; U.K.; Italy; Spain; Netherlands; China; India; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia; Australia; Brazil; Argentina; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; South Africa |
Key companies profiled |
Wacker Chemie AG; INEOS; Polynt S.p.A.; Vin Industries;BASF SE; ALTANA divisions; Polychem; SWANCOR; Aromax Technology; Interplastic Corporation; Synthomer PLC; AOC; Mechemco; Taak Resin Co.; NOF EUROPE GmbH; and LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analyst’s working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional, and segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global low-profile additives market report based on product, function, application, and region:
Product Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)
Polystyrene
High Density Polyethylene
Polyurethane
Function Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Anti-Shrinkage
Pigmentation
Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Sheet Molding Compounds/Bulk Molding Compounds
Pultrusion
Resin Transfer Molding
Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
U.K.
France
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Malaysia
Australia
Central & South America
Brazil
Argentina
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
b. The global low profile additives market size was estimated at USD 655.3 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 705.94 million in 2023.
b. The global low profile additives market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 1,247.90 million by 2030.
b. The Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) segment dominated the low profile additives market with a share of more than 38.0% in 2022. Properties such as improved surface finish and low shrinkage are fueling the product demand in applications such as automotive and construction industry.
b. Some key players operating in the low profile additives market include Wacker Chemie AG, INEOS, ALTANA divisions, Mechemco, BASF SE, ,Polynt S.p.A., Vin Industries, Polychem, SWANCOR, Synthomer PLC, Taak Resin Co., and LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
b. Rising demand for light weight & fuel-efficient vehicles is expected to boost the growth of low profile additives market over the forecast period.
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The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden pause to manufacturing activities across the globe, affecting the demand for plastics and also production & processing of them. The most critically impacted end-use segments of the plastics industry include automotive & transportation, consumer goods, industrial equipment, construction, and electronics. The report will account for Covid19 as a key market contributor.
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