Polymer Dispersion Market size is forecast to reach $11.5 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 8.29% during 2020-2025. Polymer dispersion provides properties such as enhanced processability, performance, and appearance to products. The properties of these dispersions are similar to those of emulsions. Growing public interest towards environment-friendly polymer products will further enhance the overall market demand for Polymer Dispersion during the forecast period.
Key Takeaways
- North America dominates the Polymer Dispersion market owing to increasing demand from applications such as Decorative coating, Adhesives & sealants, and others.
- Increasing implementation of various stringent environmental regulations on reduction of high volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions is driving the market demand of Polymer dispersion.
- Increasing application scope in paint industry is the key factor estimated to support growth of the global market in the forecast period.
- COVID 19 will create small hurdles for the Polymer Dispersion market
Resins - Segment Analysis
Acrylic dispersion holds the largest share in the Polymer Dispersion market. Acrylic dispersions, consisting of particles with a controlled morphology and a self-crosslinking mechanism, are the current state-of-the art binders for VOC-compliant industrial coatings for wood, metal and plastics. The process of emulsion polymerization is used in producing these acrylic dispersions. Emulsion free-radical polymerization is an environmentally friendly method for the production of a wide range of polymeric dispersion. In the emulsion polymerization process, monomer is polymerized in an aqueous medium containing surfactant micelles. Surfactant plays a dual role in the process; it not only provides the locus of polymerization but also stabilizes the polymer particles.
Application – Segment Analysis
Decorative & Protective coatings holds the largest market share in the Polymer Dispersion market. The dispersions are also used as surface coatings. Unlike solution coatings, dispersion coatings have viscosities that are independent of polymer MW. The viscosities of dispersions are advantageously lower than those of solutions with practical polymer levels.[4] This allows for easier application of the coating. Barrier polymer dispersion coating is understood to mean the coating technique where latex (that is, an aqueous dispersion of fine polymer particles) is applied to the surface of paper or board as such to form a solid, non-porous film after drying. The target of dispersion coating is to achieve a barrier layer against water, water vapour, grease, oil, gas, and others by environmentally ‘friendly’ coating.
End Use - Segment Analysis
Paints & Coatings sector has been the primary market for Polymer Dispersion owing to the increasing the emergence of advanced polymerization techniques and increase in the production of water-based polymer dispersions drive the paints & coatings application segment. Coatings produced by using water-based polymer dispersions are widely employed in Europe, due to their low VOC content. Solvents are also used in the production of paints. These can be organic liquids or water, which is the base of waterborne paints. Such paints are also called dispersion paints, in which solids are dispersed in water. This means that the dispersed phase (pigments, fillers, film-forming polymer) is suspended in water in the form of single particles that are separated from each other by solvent molecules. The stabilization of this system is ensured by surfactants.
Geography - Segment Analysis
North America dominated the Polymer Dispersion market with a share of more than xx%, followed by APAC and Europe. The demand for polymer dispersions in North America is driven by the rising demand for adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings in the non-residential sector, and increasing residential renovation activities in the region. Whereas rising demand for sustainable products for use in interior applications, such as low-odor and high-durability products, is boosting the demand for polymer dispersions with low VOC emissions in North America. Presently, the demand for polymer dispersions with low VOC emissions is high. Hence, water-based polyurethane and acrylic dispersions are being widely adopted by end-use industries in the region. Additionally, latex and vinyl acetate emulsion polymers are being largely consumed in the automotive sector in the region.
Drivers – Polymer Dispersion Market
- Growing demand due to the wide applications in different end use industries
Polymer dispersion have various application in different end use industries such as Paint & Coatings, automotive, packaging, Consumer goods, among others. And few of the applications are Decorative & Protective Coatings in woods, metals and roof & walls of houses. Where others in adhesives sealants. So, due to use of polymer dispersion in wide variety of applications in different end use industries, the polymer dispersion market is witnessing an increase in market demand.
- Implementation of Stringent Environment Regulations
Increasing implementation of various stringent environmental regulations on reduction of high volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions is driving the market demand of Polymer dispersion. Automobiles are major sources of VOCs that are emitted not only from their tailpipes while running but also as evaporative emissions by gasoline vehicles. Most VOCs, including alkenes (except ethylene), aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated VOCs, and acetonitrile, can be ionized by reaction. Whereas polymer dispersion helps in lowering down the VOC emission, which will drive the market demand for polymer dispersion.
Challenges – Polymer Dispersion Market
- Impact of Covid 19 on Polymer Dispersion market
The rapid spread of coronavirus has had a major impact on global markets as, major economies of the world are completely lockdown due to this pandemic. Because of this major lockdown, suddenly all the consumer market has started to show zero interest towards purchasing any goods. One of the major difficulties, market is facing are the shutdown of all kinds of global transportation (i.e by aeroplanes). Global crisis for all sectors including shipping, which was hit by slowing demand in goods’ production and exports had slowdown the market for Polymer Dispersion.
Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Polymer Dispersion market. In 2019, the market of Polymer Dispersion has been consolidated by the top five players accounting for xx% of the share. Major players in the Polymer Dispersion Market are BASF SE, Covestro AG, Eastman Chemical Company, Huntsman International LLC, Lanxess, among others.
Acquisitions/Technology Launches
In April 2017, Lanxess acquired Chemtura Corporation, a leading supplier of Polymer Dispersion. The acquisition considerably expanded the company’s additives portfolio.
