U.S. Polymethyl Methacrylate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Form (Extruded Sheet, Cast Acrylic Sheet, Pellets, Beads), By Grade, By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Market Segmentation

• U.S. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Form Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Extruded Sheet
  • Cast Acrylic Sheet
  • Pellets
  • Beads
  • Others
• U.S. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Grade Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • General Purpose Grade
  • Optical Grade
• U.S. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Signs & Displays
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Lighting Fixtures
  • Electronics
  • Marine
  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture
  • Consumer Goods
  • Others

U.S. Polymethyl Methacrylate Market Dynamics

Driver: Recovery of key end-use industries in the U.S.

On account of high-temperature resistance, better abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction, and chemical inertness, PMMA is used for lighting applications (exterior and interior), glazing, body parts (spoilers, pillar trims, roof elements, and mirror housings), and interior applications (decorative trims). materials such as glass and metals are used to traditionally build these automotive parts. It takes a lot of energy to manufacture glass used in windows that is heavy and brittle. PMMA on the other hand is lighter and can be made with less amount of energy spent in the process of manufacturing. Weight reduction helps to achieve more fuel efficiency and less carbon footprint. The U.S. government has passed legislation that involves requirements for automakers to increase fuel efficiency up to 54.5 miles per gallon (23.17 km per liter) by 2025. The U.S. automotive sales were at their lowest in 2009 with an estimated 10.6 million units. This was mainly due to the economic recession that prevailed in 2007. Recovering macroeconomic factors such as GDP growth, increased credit rating & purchasing power, and population growth were responsible for the domestic automotive industry’s recovery in the later period. Automotive sales rose at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2009 to 2014. Rapid economic growth in emerging markets accompanied by increased automotive demand in North America has enabled the development of the automotive export market in the United States. Automotive exports were estimated at 3.39 million units in 2012. Increased demand for automobiles, improved vehicle design capabilities, the growing importance of weight reduction from the buyer’s perspective, and emission control are the major factors responsible for increasing PMMA consumption in automobiles. Construction applications of PMMA include door & window profiles, canopies, facades, acoustic insulation, patio roofs, worktops, and balustrades. Traditionally, glass was used in these applications, since these structural components require transparency and optical clarity. However, plastics have gained significance in the same due to their inexpensive prices and impact resistance characteristics. Commonly used glass substitutes in construction include PVC, PC, and PMMA. PVC and PC are rapidly being substituted by PMMA due to the carcinogenicity identified in the former plastics. PMMA also exhibits better optical clarity and is commercially available at lesser prices as compared to the former. The U.S. has a hefty requirement for surface transportation, inland waterways, and energy transmission infrastructure development. According to the American Society for Civil Engineers, the country needs USD 3.6 trillion of investment to develop infrastructure. In a survey conducted by Harvard University - Centre for Housing Statistics in 2010, it was found that only 20% of the 41 million households in the U.S. were less than 15 years old, driving the need for enhanced residential infrastructure. These trends tied with the growing sustainable construction sector in the country are expected to drive construction growth, providing growth opportunities for PMMA market development. 

Restraint: Volatile feedstock prices 

Instability in prices of raw materials has been one of the key concerns for PMMA producers. Price trends for methyl methacrylate (MMA), the monomer required for the production of PMMA, have been volatile due to increasing costs of acetone, methanol, and ammonia, and supply constraints. Due to inconsistent supply from crude oil manufacturers prices of these materials have been unstable. Feedstock prices in 2012 and 2013 were high, adding to the costs of MMA manufacturers. The average price of MMA was USD 1.73 per kg in 2008 which rose to USD 2.47 per kg. The average price of acetone was USD 1.24 per kg in 2008 which dropped to USD 0.96 per kg in 2012. In 2010, prices of MMA precursors experienced rise of almost 40%. This was reinforced by production cuts and increased MMA demand. These factors were attributable to a deficiency in the supply of raw materials for the production of PMMA. On the supply side, expansions related to capacity in MMA productions have led to a price dip from USD 2.73 per kg in 2011 to USD 2.47 per kg in 2012. To counter increasing MMA prices, which cut through producer’s profitability, companies have improved their focus on environment-friendly processes and manufacturing cost optimization. However, this factor is favorable only for companies with capital for R&D, while small-scale PMMA producers still face profitability challenges due to uncertain feedstock prices. 

Opportunity: Increasing developments in end-user industries 

Increasing demand patterns related to products such as electronic devices, facades, PV solar panels, signs & displays, decorative interiors, LED televisions, consumer goods have developed unprecedented opportunities for the PMMA market in the region of the United States. PMMA pellets are one of the significant raw materials used by various end-user industries including automotive where its used in the interior components, tail-light panels, and instrument clusters. Characteristics such as abrasion resistance, anti-fog, glare reduction, and solar reflection have contributed to rising applications of PMMA beads in automotive, construction, and other industries. Also, never-ending growth related to construction has presented lucrative opportunities for the market in the region. 

What Does This Report Include?

This section will provide insights into the contents included in this U.S. polymethyl methacrylate market report and help gain clarity on the structure of the report to assist readers in navigating smoothly.

U.S. polymethyl methacrylate market qualitative analysis

• Industry overview

• Industry trends

• Market drivers and restraints

• Market size

• Growth prospects

• Porter’s analysis

• PESTEL analysis

• Key market opportunities prioritized

• Competitive landscape

  • Company overview

  • Financial performance

  • Product benchmarking

  • Latest strategic developments

U.S. polymethyl methacrylate market quantitative analysis

• Market size, estimates, and forecast from 2018 to 2030

• Market estimates and forecast for product segments up to 2030

• Regional market size and forecast for product segments up to 2030

• Market estimates and forecast for application segments up to 2030

• Regional market size and forecast for application segments up to 2030

• Company financial performance