Polymer Chameleons Market Analysis By Product, By Application (Smart Drug Delivery System & Implants, Bioseparation, Textile Engineering, And Automotive & Transportation), By Region, Competitive Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global polymer chameleons market size was estimated at USD 275.0 million in 2015. The use of advanced technologies for manufacturing high-quality products is expected to impact future market growth positively. New materials are formulated which response to environmental changes in the biological system by altering its physical and chemical properties. These engineered polymers are used as a functional tool for wide range of applications for metabolic control mechanisms and drug delivery implants.

Polymer chameleons or “smart” polymers are stimuli-responsive and environmentally sensitive materials that undergo fast alterations in their microstructure activated by changes in the surroundings. External stimuli include pH, heat, ultrasound, magnetic and electric fields, ionic strength, light, and chemical species. These modifications are reversible, and the material structure can return to its original state on trigger removal.

U.S. polymer chameleons market revenue, by product, 2014-2025, (USD Million)

Polymer chameleons have promising applications in the medical sector as conveyance technique of actuators systems, therapeutic agents, sensors, cell culture support systems, tissue engineering, or bio-separation devices frameworks. Recently, new application areas including pharmaceuticals, implants, medicinal diagnostics, and treatments sectors have been invented.

They have unique characteristics like compatibility and adaptability which supports valuable tools in medical treatment including the immune system. Also, polymer chameleon producers are formulating unique resources that assist in drug delivery systems, biosensor designing, wound treatment, and other metabolically regulated systems. Due to the vast potential of diverse applications, the market will experience significant growth in the coming years.

Regulations related to synthetic resins and monomers play a significant role in the development of the market. In Europe, these chemicals are controlled by regulatory bodies such as REACH & CLP. EPA has designed standards under TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) to regulate toxic substances emitted by chemicals & polymers impacting the environment and human health.

Product insights

The market has been segmented into thermos-responsive, photo-responsive, shape memory, electroactive & magnetically-responsive, pH responsive, enzyme-responsive, self-healing and others.

Shape memory polymers market is projected to witness the highest growth in the coming years. SMPs are altered products whose chemical and physical properties have been modified to provide active shape “memory” characteristic. They can display a radical change by using thermal or other such stimuli to convert into an elastic state from a rigid polymer. It recovers its “memory” shape if left uncontrolled.

Application Insights

The application segment includes smart drug delivery system & implants, bioseparation, textile engineering, automotive & transportation and others. Increased usage of engineered polymers for drug delivery offers more advantages due to pulsating or modulated drug release pattern to mimic the biological demand. These drug releasing devices operates automatically, without the need for additional sensors, transducers, switches or pumps. Rising biomedical applications are anticipated to augment the market growth during the study period.

Polymer chameleons market share by application, 2015

Polymer chameleons are finding diverse applications in automobile manufacturing as replacements for petroleum-based plastics. They are already used in vehicle interiors and undercarriages and even under the hood. They are now being produced at commercial scale and have numerous applications in the automotive industry. Increasing focus on green technologies and sustainability, these materials are used in automotive industry is expected to increase over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest market and accounted for over 15% of the global demand in 2015. Asia Pacific companies are involved in developing innovative product portfolio, especially R&D facilities in therapeutic and medical sectors. Increasing manufacturing units in the region coupled with implementation of advanced technologies and expertise is expected to boost the polymer chameleon smart products over the next seven years.

Europe has also witnessed significant market growth for these chameleon materials due to the presence of multinational players in the region. The adoption of stringent regulation about utilization of chemicals and monomers to manufacture industrial applications product such as smart drug delivery system & implants, or automotive & transportation, etc. has been responsible for the product penetration. Moreover, favorable regulations and amendments by EU and EPRO (the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organizations) are expected to drive the regional growth over the forecast period.

Competitive Insights

Key players operating in the global market include Akzo Nobel N.V., Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Autonomic Materials, DOW Chemical Company, etc. The industry is concentrated with the top few players and is characterized by, continuous developments, increasing geographical reach, and diversified product portfolio.

Acquisition and new product development is a key business strategy adopted by the major global companies to increase their and value chain integration and geographical presence. Most of the key market players such as Akzo Nobel N.V. and Evonik Industries AG have also concentrated increasing production capacity in high growth potential markets.

In September 2016, Evonik Industries collaborated with Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) to produce PLEXIGLAS acrylic glass in Guangdong (China). AAT is a systems provider for large aquarium.

Report Scope

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis on the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global polymer chameleons market on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Thermo-Responsive polymers

  • Photo-Responsive polymers.

  • Shape Memory polymers

  • Electroactive & Magnetically-Responsive polymers

  • pH-Responsive polymers

  • Enzyme-Responsive polymers

  • Self-healing polymers

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Smart Drug Delivery System & Implants

  • Bioseparation

  • Textile engineering

  • Automotive & transportation

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • Netherlands

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • Australia & New Zealand

    • India

  • Middle East and Africa

  • Central & South America