Antistatic Agents Market

Market Overview

The global antistatic agents market size was valued at USD 501.08 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 837.26 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.87% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The expansion of this market can be ascribed to the rising need for antistatic agents from the packaging, electronics, and textiles sectors, which are the primary consumers of plastics and other materials necessitating antistatic properties. Moreover, various advantages associated with using antistatic agents further boost the market growth.

Antistatic agents are substances or compounds that mitigate or eradicate static electricity on material surfaces. Static electricity refers to the disparity in electric charges within a substance or on its exterior, which arises when components make contact and subsequently separate. The presence of this static charge can result in several problems, including the attraction of dust, the adherence of materials, and even the occurrence of risks like electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can cause harm to electronic components.

Antistatic agents modify the surface conductivity of materials, enabling them to disperse or carry away any accumulated static charge. Antistatic agents can be classified into two primary categories: conductive and non-conductive. Antistatic compounds are employed in diverse sectors such as electronics, packaging, textiles, and automotive, where the management of static electricity is vital to avert harm to delicate components or to guarantee the optimal operation of machinery.

Market Dynamics

Global Antistatic Agents Market Drivers:

Rising Demand for Plastic from Various End-User Industries

The increasing need for plastics in many sectors, including food packaging, medical devices, consumer electronics, automotive components, and industrial equipment, is fueling the expansion of the antistatic agents market. Plastics are commonly used for their economical price, lightweight nature, long-lasting properties, and adaptability. However, they also tend to amass static charge, which might impact their effectiveness and overall quality.

Antistatic compounds are crucial in mitigating the detrimental impact of static electricity on plastics and their final products. The global production of plastics in 2021 amounted to an astonishing 390.7 million metric tons. This represents a substantial rise of four percent compared to the previous year. Moreover, the manufacture of plastics has experienced a significant increase since the 1950s. The remarkable adaptability of this category of materials is responsible for the consistent growth in production on an annual basis. Simultaneously, the market value of plastics is also experiencing a continuous increase. Consequently, the increasing production of plastic and its use in different industries leads to a higher need for antistatic agents, stimulating market growth.

Advantages of Antistatic Agents

Increasing regulations and consciousness concerning antistatic agents' environmental and safety implications also drive market expansion. Antistatic agents mitigate the potential hazards of fire, explosion, and harm to electrical devices resulting from static discharge. Additionally, they can enhance the products' cleanliness and visual appeal by inhibiting the buildup of dust and the introduction of impurities.

Furthermore, using antistatic agents might augment plastics' recyclability and biodegradability, hence mitigating plastic waste's ecological repercussions. Also, reducing static electricity can enhance the durability of equipment and machinery. Diminished static charges result in less friction and damage on movable components, resulting in prolonged equipment durability and reduced maintenance expenses. Such advantages are estimated to foster market expansion.

Global Antistatic Agents Market Restraint:

High Cost and Limited Availability of Antistatic Agents 

The market expansion is being hindered by the high cost and limited accessibility of specific antistatic agents, particularly those that are bio-based and non-toxic. Antistatic agents are often used in minimal quantities in the material, but they might augment overall production expenses. Moreover, certain antistatic compounds, such as ethoxylated fatty acid amines, are obtained from petroleum, a non-renewable and volatile resource.

There is a growing need for antistatic agents derived from natural sources that do not include harmful substances, driven by concerns about the environment and human health. However, the availability of these agents is limited, and their cost is greater than that of traditional alternatives. Moreover, certain industries may need more knowledge of the advantages of employing antistatic chemicals, or there can be a deficiency in understanding their practical uses. As a result, these issues impede the expansion of the market.

Global Antistatic Agents Market Opportunities:

Rapid Developments 

The advancement and development of novel antistatic agents, including nanomaterials, ionic liquids, and conductive polymers, are generating new opportunities for market expansion. These antistatic compounds can provide superior performance, stability, compatibility, and efficiency compared to the current ones. They can also surpass some drawbacks and difficulties associated with traditional antistatic agents, including migration, volatility, toxicity, and environmental consequences. Moreover, to improve their products, market leaders in various sectors are obtaining patents for antistatic technologies that they have developed.

For instance, ForeverLawn, the dominant player in the artificial grass sector, recently disclosed that it has received a fresh patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent titled "Synthetic Turf System Made with Antistatic Yarns and Method of Making" was granted in June 2019 with US10323361. ForeverLawn has named the invention XStatic™ antistatic technology available in their Playground Grass Ultra product. "This innovative development offers unparalleled safeguarding against static buildup in surfaces and other areas prone to static accumulation," stated Kevin Kinsley, the brand manager for Playground Grass at ForeverLawn. These advancements are expected to generate opportunities to expand the market.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global antistatic agents market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global antistatic agents market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing the most rapid growth and is also the largest market for antistatic agents. This is primarily driven by the strong demand for antistatic agents in the packaging, electronics, and textiles industries, which require these agents for various materials, including plastics. Asia holds the distinction of being the foremost global manufacturer of plastics. In 2021, China's production amounted to 32 percent of global production. China's monthly plastic production in recent years ranged from six to 12 million metric tons.

Moreover, the region is also experiencing rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population expansion, leading to a rise in the demand for products that employ antistatic agents, including food packaging, medical devices, consumer electronics, and clothes. The United Nations states that urbanization remains a significant and defining megatrend in Asia-Pacific. Asia is home to about 2.2 billion people, accounting for 54% of the global urban population. Asia's urban population is expected to increase by 50% - an additional 1.2 billion individuals - by 2050. Moreover, the region's advantageous factors include a cost-effective production process and abundant availability of raw materials, which entice significant market players to invest and expand their operations.

North America plays a crucial role in the antistatic agents market due to its well-established and diverse end-user industries, including packaging, electronics, automotive, and textile. The projected revenue for the consumer electronics industry in North America is predicted to reach USD 194.0 billion by 2023. The area also exhibits the greatest global smartphone adoption rate, which is anticipated to stimulate the demand for antistatic agents. These agents are extensively employed in the electronics sector to lessen the hazards linked to electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD has the potential to cause harm to delicate electronic components and equipment, resulting in operational issues or total system breakdown. This is expected to stimulate growth in the antistatic agents market in this region. Moreover, the region demonstrates a strong understanding and implementation of antistatic agents, driven mainly by strict safety and environmental legislation and standards.

Furthermore, the companies operating in the region are incorporating antistatic technology into their products, resulting in a subsequent growth of the antistatic agents market in North America. For instance, in June 2023, the US LYCRA Company introduced their cutting-edge Sheer Sensation technology, specifically developed to combat the issue of static accumulation. The latest innovation provides wearers with a remedy for transparent hosiery by integrating a cling-free element into the fabric. This enables the production of regular hosiery without sacrificing the garment's comfort, fit, or performance. The LYCRA Sheer Sensation technology, which contains a distinctive antistatic ingredient, efficiently neutralizes static electricity. This advantage is apparent even when the hosiery is worn with materials and fabrics that are usually prone to static cling. As stated on The LYCRA Company's website, the antistatic property of this fiber is incorporated into the fabric during production, ensuring a garment that is free from static electricity.

Segmental Analysis

The global antistatic agents market is segmented by type, polymer type, and end-user industry.

Based on type, the global antistatic agents market is bifurcated into glycerol monostearate, ethoxylated fatty acid amines, diethanolamides, and others. 

Ethoxylated fatty acid amines are chemical compounds utilized as antistatic agents in diverse industrial applications. These chemicals originate from fatty and carboxylic acids, with long chains frequently in fats and oils. The ethoxylation process entails the incorporation of ethylene oxide molecules into the fatty acid amine, yielding a compound with a hydrophilic ethylene oxide segment that attracts water and a lipophilic fatty acid amine segment that attracts oil.

Ethoxylated fatty acid amines are extensively employed as antistatic agents due to their superior processing stability and performance advantages. It aids in dissipation static charges by establishing a thin, conductive deposit on the surface of materials, thereby functioning as an antistatic agent. The ethoxylated character of these chemicals increases their water solubility and promotes their capacity to disperse across the surface of the substance.

Based on polymer type, the global antistatic agents market is divided into polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride, and others. 

Polyethylene is classified as a polymer, a complex molecule consisting of monomers repeated in a long-chain structure. It is a highly prevalent plastic globally and belongs to the polyolefin group of polymers. Polyethylene is renowned for its multifunctionality, resilience, and affordability, rendering it a widely favored option for diverse applications. Polyethylene can be classified into two primary categories based on its molecular structure: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These categories exhibit distinct characteristics and serve different objectives.

Polyethylene is synthesized via the polymerization of ethylene, which is a hydrocarbon gas. The polymerization process yields a linear structure, where the chain's length directly impacts the characteristics of the resulting polyethylene. With its favorable characteristics, polyethylene has become an essential component of daily existence, finding use in various applications such as packaging materials, containers, agricultural films, toys, and medical devices.

Based on the end-user industry, the global antistatic agents market is segmented into packaging, automotive, electronics, textile, and others. 

The packaging segment owns the highest market share. Antistatic agents are essential in the packaging industry as they prevent the accumulation of static electricity on the surface of packing materials. It is crucial because static electricity can lead to different problems during manufacturing, transporting, and storing packaged goods. They also play a crucial role in the packaging sector by mitigating the accumulation of static charge on plastic surfaces, thereby safeguarding the packed goods' quality, safety, and visual appeal. Moreover, antistatic agents can improve the processability of packing materials during manufacturing. They can decrease the surface tension of substances, facilitating their manipulation, printing, and transformation into different types of packaging.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- Mechnano and Tethon3D collaborated to create a novel, rigid electrostatic discharge (ESD) material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. Its development aimed to tackle the difficulty of creating bespoke nano-uniform ESD components capable of enduring several cycles.
• June 2023- Clariant, a specialty chemical company with a focus on sustainability, completed the divestment of its global Quats business to Global Amines Company Pte. Ltd., a 50/50 joint venture owned by both the company and Wilmar, the world's leading agricultural and oleochemicals company. Quats, which consist of quaternary ammonium compounds, are an extensive class of substances that find application in diverse fields, such as surfactants, preservatives, and antistatic agents.