Electroactive Polymers Market Report 2026

The electroactive polymers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.45 billion in 2025 to $5.89 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in polymer science, increasing use of smart materials in electronics, growth of automotive electronics applications, rising demand for lightweight conductive materials, availability of conductive polymer formulations.

The electroactive polymers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in wearable electronics, rising adoption of soft robotics, expansion of energy-efficient electronic systems, growing demand for advanced sensing technologies, increasing integration of smart polymers in industrial applications. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of electroactive polymers in sensors, rising adoption in actuators and soft robotics, growing demand for energy storage applications, expansion of esd and emi shielding solutions, enhanced focus on smart material performance.

The increasing number of IoT-linked devices is expected to boost the growth of the electroactive polymers market going forward. An Internet of Things (IoT)-linked device is a physical object or system embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity features that enable it to collect and exchange data over the internet. Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are materials capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical movement, or vice versa, making them ideal for various IoT applications. For instance, in October 2025, according to IoT Analytics, a Germany-based provider of market insights, the number of connected IoT devices is projected to grow by 14% in 2025, reaching 39 billion by 2030. Therefore, the increasing number of IoT-linked devices is driving the growth of the electroactive polymers market.

Major companies in the electroactive polymers market are focusing on technological advancements such as stretchable sensing systems to enhance performance, durability, and integration in next-generation smart applications. Stretchable sensing systems allow highly sensitive detection of mechanical, thermal, and electrical stimuli while maintaining elasticity and form adaptability, making them suitable for wearable technology, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces. For instance, in September 2025, WACKER, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched serial production of flexible sensor electronics at K 2025. This initiative aims to accelerate mass adoption of stretchable, skin-compatible sensor solutions through large-scale manufacturing supported by conductive silicones and advanced polymer formulations, enabling integration into sportswear, medical monitoring systems, and industrial smart protection equipment.

In March 2024, Momentive, a US-based specialty silicone and advanced materials manufacturer, formed a collaboration with Datwyler and BSC Computer to accelerate the industrial market launch of Dielectric Elastomer Actuator (DEA) solutions. The collaboration aims to advance high-performance actuator technologies that deliver superior electromechanical conversion, flexibility, and energy efficiency for applications in robotics, haptics, and smart systems, strengthening commercial adoption across industrial sectors. Datwyler is a Switzerland-based provider of high-precision elastomer components, while BSC Computer, based in Germany, specializes in simulation and control technologies for smart materials and actuation systems.

Major companies operating in the electroactive polymers market are Arkema S.A., BASF SE, Solvay S.A., Dow Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Covestro AG, SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation), LG Chem Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., LANXESS AG, Wacker Chemie AG, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Toray Industries, Inc., Huntsman Corporation, DSM-Firmenich AG, Kuraray Co., Ltd., RTP Company.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the electroactive polymer market in 2025. The regions covered in the electroactive polymers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the electroactive polymers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The electroactive polymer market consists of sales of electronic electroactive polymer, ionic electroactive polymer, conductive polymer actuators, and carbon nanotube actuators. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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