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Growth Opportunities for Polymeric Materials

  • Report

  • 104 Pages
  • June 2020
  • Region: Global
  • Frost & Sullivan
  • ID: 5118832

Technology and Industry Trends Driving R&D and Adoption of Sustainable and High Performance Polymers

Macro trends such as decarbonization, digitization, Industry 5.0, and energy efficiency are influencing the R&D of materials and transforming the demand for materials with high biodegradability rate, higher toughness, mechanical properties, and impact resistance. In addition to this, various other polymeric materials such as stimuli-responsive polymers, hydrogels, and porous polymers are gaining traction due to the rise of soft robotics, energy-efficient buildings, and flexible electronics.

Smart drop-ins derived from various plant-based feedstocks and residues including polyol esters, diesters, and epoxidized vegetable oils derived from linseed oil, castor oil, soybean oil, and so on are of potential interest among manufacturers as they can provide similar properties as that of fossil-derived polymers. The evolution of additive and advanced manufacturing including 3D printing in recent years has also pushed manufacturers to utilize high-performance thermoplastics such as polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polycaprolactone (PCL) in various end-user industries including automotive, aerospace, and electrical and electronics.

This research focuses on identifying the technology push and market pull approaches and trends that impact the development of adoption of polymers, esp. thermoplastic polymers. The research also highlights illustrative innovations and developments focused on polymers as a result of these trends.

The research focuses on the below-mentioned approaches and trends and corresponding developments in polymers that are aligned to the below mentioned:


  • Decarbonization
  • Waste Reuse & Recycle
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Material Sourcing
  • Digitization
  • Industry 5.0

Table of Contents

1.0 Executive Summary
1.1 Research Scope
1.2 Research Methodology
1.3. Summary of Key Findings - Technology Trends
1.4. Summary of Key Findings - Industry Trends
2.0 Technology Trends Impacting Growth and Adoption of Polymeric Materials
2.0.1. Technological Trends Based on Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency Enable Stakeholders to Reduce Negative Environmental Impact
2.1 Decarbonization
2.1.1. Decarbonization Strategies Aid in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and also Encourage Low Carbon Economy
2.1.2. Bio-based Thermoplastic Polyurethane Exhibits Lesser Global Warming Potential as Compared to Petroleum-based Polymers
2.1.3. Bio-polyvinyl Chloride Contributes to 90% Reduction in Emissions over Traditional Polyvinyl Chloride Polymers
2.1.4. PVC Reinforced with Renewable Bio-based Plasticizers Emit Lower Amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds into the Atmosphere
2.1.5. Bio-polyamide with Sebacic Acid Facilitates Reduction of Carbon Footprint by 30% as compared to Traditional Polyamide Materials
2.1.6. PEF Derived from Renewable Raw Materials has the Potential to Replace PET Polymer and also Emits Lower Greenhouse Gases
2.1.7. Life Cycle Assessment of PHA-based Biodegradable Polymers Reveals that they Are Carbon Negative and Readily Biodegrade under a Conducive Environment
2.1.8. Bio-composite Foamed Plastics Derived from Lignocellulosic Biomass Contribute to Reducing Carbon Footprint in the Transportation Industry
2.1.9. Polyether Carbonate Polyols Replacing Polyurethane Foams can Save up to 70 Times More Energy over their Entire Product Lifecycle
2.1.10. Key Challenges Associated with Polymers Facilitating Decarbonization
2.1.11. Key Challenges Associated with Smart Drop-in Polymers
2.2 Waste Reuse and Recycle
2.2.1. Upcycling Plastics and Waste Reuse Offer Lucrative Opportunities to Automotive Manufacturers
2.2.2. PET Recycling by Enzymatic Degradation Reduces the Accumulation of PET Polymers in Landfills
2.3.3. Recycling of Waste Carpet Materials to Ultra-Pure Polypropylene Reduces the Burden of Producing More Virgin Polypropylene
2.3.4. Recycling of Household Waste Accelerates Closed Loop Processing of Solid Waste and also Diverts the Waste from Landfills
2.3.5. Transformation of Agricultural Residues into Bio-based Rubber Reduces the Dependency on Fossil Fuel Resources
2.3.6. Recycling of Scrap Rubber into Polymers by Devulcanization Technology Closes the Loop in End-of-life Tires in the Automotive Industry
2.3.7. Key Challenges Associated with Polymers Facilitating Waste Reuse and Recycling
2.3 Energy Efficiency
2.3.1. Nanomaterials, Nanofibers, and Aerogels are Gaining Focus for Improving Energy Efficiency
2.3.2. Carbon Nanotubes Are Lighter than Glass by 50% and Are Gaining Momentum in the Automotive and Aerospace Industries
2.3.3. Cellulose Nanofibers Are 5 Times Stronger and 80% Lighter than Steel
2.3.4. Hybrid Polymer Aerogels Facilitate Superior Thermal Insulation and Sound Proofing
2.3.5. Key Challenges Associated with Polymers Facilitating Energy Efficiency
2.4 Material Sourcing
2.4.1. Eco-friendly Design and Material Efficiency Strategies Based on Use of Sustainable Raw Materials Reduce Organic Pollutants in Environment
2.4.2. Thermoplastic Starch Derived from Agricultural Waste Residues Does Not Interfere with the Food Supply Chain
2.4.3. Polypropiolactone is Derived from Multiple Biomass Waste Residues Through Cost-effective Fermentation Processes
2.4.4. Bamboo Tar-based Polyurethane Coatings Optimize HVAC Utilities and therefore Reduces Energy Consumption
2.4.5. Plastic Optical Fibers Enhance Optic Communications and are Relatively Cost-effective Compared to Glass-based Optical Fibers
2.4.6. Key Challenges Associated with Polymers Facilitating Material Sourcing
2.5 Digitization
2.5.1. Digitization Enhances Industrial Productivity and Reduces OPEX
2.5.2. Polyetheretherketone Polymers are Resistant to Chemicals, Wear, and Temperature Change
2.5.3. PEBA Polymers Possess Enhanced Mechanical Stability and Impact Resistance Thereby Enabling High Data Processing
2.6 Industry 5.0
2.6.1. Industry 5.0 Accelerates Automation in an Industrial Corridor and Increases Operational Efficiency
2.6.2. Liquid Crystalline Polymers Have High Dimensional Stability and Find Extensive Use in Home Network Appliances
2.6.3. Optimization of Fiber Conversion Technology Improves Physical Properties of Carbon Fibers
2.6.4. Key Challenges Associated with Polymers Facilitating Digitization and Industrial 5.0
3.0 Technology Push Approaches Impacting Future of Polymers
3.1. Smart Drop-ins with High Biodegradability Substituting Fossil Fuel-based Polymers
3.2. Polymer Building Blocks Derived Through Waste Carbon Dioxide Streams
3.3. Porous Polymers with High Flexibility and Multifunctionalities are Gaining Traction in Electrical and Electronics Industries
4.0 Industry Trends Impacting Polymer Development and Adoption
4.0.1. Lightweighting, Miniaturization, and Modularity are Noteworthy Industry Trends Influencing Material Adoption
4.1 Mobility- Market Pull Approaches
4.1.1. Polymer Composites, Nanocomposites, Biocomposites are Emerging Materials for Lightweighting
4.1.2. PAEK-based Composites Reduce Weight of Components Used in Aerospace and Automation by as much as 80%
4.1.3. Polymer Nanocomposites Offer Greater Surface Area in Polymer Matrices Thereby Reducing Weight in Vehicles
4.1.4. Bamboo Reinforced Composites are Extensively Used in Manufacturing Automotive Interiors
4.1.5. Artificial Photosynthesis Yields Hydrogen Used in Fuel Cell Vehicles to Cut Down Emissions from the Automotive Industry
4.1.6. Emerging BDD Polymers are Extensively Used as Organic Photovoltaics that can Enhance the Efficiency of Power Conversion
4.1.7. Thermoplastic Fluoropolymers are Used to Manufacture Semipermeable Membranes that can be Used in Polymer Membrane Electrolysis
4.1.8. Protective Coatings for Automotive Body Surfaces and Electronic Systems
4.1.9. Parylene Coating Offers Excellent Physical Stability and Resistance to Surface Abrasion
4.1.10. Shape Memory Polymers Enable Self-healing Properties Thereby Preventing Physical Damage
4.1.11. Use of Lightweight Materials in Manufacturing Drones Enhances Their Performance Efficiency
4.1.12. Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyamide Possesses Excellent Dimensional Stability Thereby Increasing Longevity of the Drones
4.1.13. Use of PEKK Polymers in Drone Manufacturing Enables Cost Reduction by 30%
4.2. Net-zero Buildings - Market Pull Approaches
4.2.1. Recycled Materials Coupled with Protective Coatings Are Likely to Reduce Energy Used for Heating and Cooling
4.2.2. Recycled Plastic Bricks Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 41% When Compared to Concrete
4.2.3. Porous Polymers for Coating Applications Regulate Indoor Lighting and Temperature in a Building Thereby Optimizing Energy Consumption
4.2.4. Recycled Plastics Foams for Insulation Have 34% Lower Carbon Footprint When Compared to Conventional PET Foams
4.3. Electrical and Electronics - Market Pull Approaches
4.3.1. Polymer Aerogels, High-Performance Thermoplastics, and Engineering Films for Electrical and Electronic Devices
4.3.2. Polyimide Aerogels Offer Excellent Insulation Properties and Are Ideal for Electrical and Electronics Equipment
4.3.3. Polyphthalamides Offer High Impact Strength and Dimensional Stability for Use in the Electrical and Electronics Industry
4.3.4. OEMs Prefer PPS Films to Manufacture Electronic Devices Due to Their Operability in a Wide Range of Temperatures
4.3.5. High-Performance Thermoplastics, Nanocomposites, and Hydrogels for Robots
4.3.6. Conductive Polymers with Nanomaterials Act as Artificial Skin for Robots
4.3.7. Photo-crosslinked PEGDA Polymers as Hydrogels for Building Soft Robots
4.3.8. Reinforced Polyarylamide can be Used in the Manufacture of Surgical Robots
4.4. Furniture - Market Pull Approaches
4.4.1. Use of Natural Fibers Enables Consumption of Less Energy to Manufacture Furniture Components
4.4.2. Sugarcane- and Spruce-based Biocomposites Facilitate Reduction of Carbon Footprint by 80% in the Furniture Industry
4.4.3. Bast Fiber Composites are 90% Lighter as Compared to Conventional Medium Density Fiberboards Used in the Furniture Industry
5.0. Growth Opportunities
5.1. Growth Opportunities for Polymers due to Technology Push Approaches
5.2. Recycled PET and Bio-based PVC can Reduce Carbon Emissions and Landfill Waste
5.3. Porous Polymers Have Excellent Optical Swtichability Properties, Which Provide Higher Temperature Control in the Building and Construction Industry
6.0 Industry Contacts
6.1 Key Contacts
6.2 Key Contacts
6.3 Legal Disclaimer