Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Medical Grade & Prosthetics, Fibers), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global ultra high molecular weight polyethylene market size was valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing demand from various applications, such as batteries, medical-grade & prosthetics, additives, fibers, filtration, and membranes, is significantly driving the market growth. In addition, increasing product demand from defense applications due to its superior physical properties, such as resistance to chemicals, moisture, corrosion, & dirt, as compared to other polymers is anticipated to significantly drive the market over the forecast period. Furthermore, it is lightweight & self-lubricating and has a low friction coefficient, high impact strength, tremendous energy absorption capacity, & a wide service temperature range.

The usage of the product results in lower weight, diminished noise & vibrations, reduced production costs, and negligible maintenance. It is also used for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and vehicle armor owing to its high impact strength. Several governments worldwide have taken initiatives to provide better protective gear to their military and law enforcement personnel, thereby boosting the product demand.

The demand for joint replacement surgeries for knees and hips has increased over the last five years. A shift in trend, wherein people aged between 45 and 60 years are increasingly opting for joint replacement surgeries, has been observed in the recent past. Technological advancements have resulted in better prosthetics, longer lifespan, and more comfort for patients. The increasing geriatric population in several countries, such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan, is expected to drive the demand for medical-grade ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) over the forecast period.

However, the high costs of the product over other polymers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and engineering thermoplastics, are expected to hamper the overall market growth in the coming years. Also, the recent outbreak of Covid-19 across the globe is negatively impacting the product demand as a result of stalled industrial output and restrictions in supply and transport.

Product Insights

The medical-grade & prosthetics product segment led the market and accounted for more than 30% of the global revenue in 2020. UHMWPE has been one of the most preferred materials to use in the production of medical implants. It has been relied upon because of its high resistance to wear and abrasion coupled with its excellent durable properties. It is a material with long chains with extremely pliable and good impact strength. Moreover, these materials have less weight as compared to metal materials. These properties have increased the product demand in medical applications in the past few years and the trend is projected to continue over the forecast period.

Moreover, UHMWPE's use in joint replacement surgeries on account of its versatility and effectiveness is further projected to fuel the product demand over the forecast period. The rising aging population, lack of fitness, and changing lifestyle are majorly contributing to the increasing number of joint replacement surgeries across the globe, which, in turn, is projected to create demand for UHMWPE over the forecast period.

UHMWPE sheets are extensively used to solve wear, friction, and material flow challenges in various application industries. This material sheet is distinguished owing to its outstanding sliding properties, high impact strength, extreme wear resistance, and high chemical resistance. UHMWPE sheets are widely used in various application industries, such as packaging, food & beverage, general conveyor technology, and chemicals.

Application Insights

The medical-grade & prosthetics application segment led the market and accounted for more than 30% of the global revenue in 2020. The growing geriatric population, especially in North America and Europe, is presumed to play a critical role in shaping the medical-grade & prosthetics market over the forecast period. Technological advancements related to UHMWPE usage as prosthetics are crucial factors that are expected to impact the global market positively.

UHMWPE is a durable polymer that is ideally used as a stable porous medium for general and fluid-based environments. Higher product prices make it affordable, mostly in developed regions, such as North America and Europe. Reliability and favorable regulations are expected to benefit the product demand in the filtration industry. The product has gained popularity in lead-acid battery separators in the past few years.

Its higher molecular weight compared to the conventional HDPE, PVC, glass fiber, and cellulose separators are expected to drive its global demand over the forecast period. UHMWPE is used as additives in the engineering plastics and rubber industry. They are used to enhance lubricity and are also used in certain coatings. Also, properties, such as good impact strength, wear & abrasion resistance, and low friction compared to conventional polymers, are further projected to propel the product demand in additives application.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for over 40% share of global revenue in 2020. The U.S. led the market in North America in 2020 and is projected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. UHMWPE in protective armor application is witnessing significant growth in the region. Increasing military & defense budget in the U.S. The rising threat of terrorist activities is expected to drive the product demand in North America.

The government military programs, such as the Soldier Protection System, which comprise a series of lighter weight ballistic plates, more lightweight combat helmets, bulletproof vests, and other protective armor to aid soldier mobility, are expected to create a massive opportunity for UHMWPE over the forecast period. In addition, growth in reported cases of joint surgeries, such as that of hips and knees, will support the market in the U.S.

Furthermore, increasing production and preference for seafood are positively influencing the growth of the country’s fishing industry, which, in turn, is creating demand for aquaculture nets, thereby propelling the product demand in fibers application. However, growing cases of Covid-19 in the U.S. are anticipated to affect the market growth to some extent.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The global market is fragmented in nature with the presence of various key players. Major players, in particular, compete on the basis of production capacity expansions, product portfolio developments, and methods to implement new technologies in product manufacturing. The raw materials used in the manufacturing along with their affiliated costs play a significant role in determining the price of the final product. As a result, the prices of raw materials, such as ethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, are expected to play a vital role in the market over the forecast period.

Many established and emerging players are engaged in the capacity expansion of their manufacturing facilities, to consolidate their fixed costs by catering to increased demand from end-use applications. For instance, on 23rd October 2020, Celanese Corporation, one of the leading companies in the market, announced to add a new production line of its GUR ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) at its Bishop, Texas manufacturing facility. This new production line is expected to add approximately 15 kilotons per annum to GUR product capacity and the production is slated to begin by 2022. Some prominent players in the global ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) market include:

• Celanese Corp.

• LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.

• Koninklijke DSM N.V.

• China Petrochemical Corporation

• Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Group

• LianLe Chemical Corporation

• Crown Plastics, Inc.

• Braskem

• Asahi Kasei Corporation

• Dotmar Engineering Plastics

• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

• Garland Manufacturing Company

• TSE Industries, Inc.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global ultra high molecular weight polyethylene market report on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Medical-grade & Prosthetics

  • Fibers

  • Sheets

  • Rods

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Medical-grade & Prosthetics

  • Filtration

  • Batteries

  • Fibers

  • Additives

  • Membranes

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia