Crosslinking Agent Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Amide, Amine, Amino, Carbodiimide, Isocyanate, Other Types), By Applications (Automotive Coatings, Decorative Coatings, Industrial Coating, Packaging Coatings, Other Applications) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2025-2033

Crosslinking Agent Market Size

The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for crosslinking agent was valued at USD 14.58 Billion in 2024. It is projected to reach from USD 15.30 Billion by 2025 to USD 22.61 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period (2023-2033). 

Crosslinking is the process of developing chemical linkages between molecular chains to create a three-dimensional network of interconnected molecules. Crosslinking occurs during the vulcanization of rubber with elemental sulfur, which transforms unprocessed rubber from a brittle plastic to a highly robust elastomer. Demand for various coatings and a greater focus on high-performance crosslinking agents are the main drivers driving the market analysis. On the other hand, the existence of self-crosslinking agents may impede market expansion.

Crosslinking Agent Market Drivers

Growing demand for a variety of coatings

In the coatings business, crosslinking agents are used to increase the coatings' aesthetic, mechanical toughness, and chemical resistance. This enhance coating color and corrosion resistance. The need for crosslinking agents has increased due to the increased use of industrial coatings in various industries, including automotive, electronics, marine, oil and gas, mining, power generation, and many other industrial applications. For instance, the need for coatings has expanded as a result of the rising oil and gas industry, which has increased pipeline installation globally.

Coatings with high friction and wear resistance are essential for aircraft systems. Aerial vehicle manufacture has increased. For instance, in anticipation of a strong aviation resurgence, Airbus said in June 2021 that it would boost the manufacturing of its A320 aircraft fleet by up to 60% by 2023. As a result of the growing opportunities from multiple end users, it is anticipated that the need for coatings will significantly increase. Environmentally friendly powder coatings are also being developed by manufacturers and are increasingly utilized to cover metals for items made of structural steel and roadway components. The over-sprayed portion of these environmentally friendly powder coatings can be recycled, ensuring the recovery of around 92% of the coatings.

Market Restraining Factor

Presence of self-crosslinking agents

Government regulations have made it more critical than ever to limit the output of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in coatings due to environmental and health concerns. Because of this, businesses that care about sustainability usually use waterborne systems to lessen their carbon footprint. It is now easier than ever to combine the performance of a solvent-borne system with the low-emissions characteristics of aqueous coatings thanks to recent developments in self-crosslinking technology. In North America and Europe, stain resistance has been a critical impetus for self-crosslinking systems. The exceptional chemical resistance of self-crosslinking, however, is its primary benefit. Combining the environmental impact of aqueous solutions with self-crosslinking acrylics, the future of coatings is poised to take the next crucial step.

Market Opportunity

Growing popularity of high-performance cross-linking agents

While the majority of paints and coatings produce physical films once solvent or water vapor evaporates, others require interaction between polymer resins to create the necessary applied film qualities. Heat and the use of a catalyst or curing/crosslinking agent can speed up these reactions. Crosslinking agents greatly influence the characteristics of the applied coatings since they are absorbed into the final polymer network. Researchers, therefore, concentrated on creating more environmentally friendly crosslinking chemistries that offer optimal coating performance. Evonik Industries AG created a variety of urethane-alkoxysilane binders and crosslinkers with high scratch resistance levels for use in automobile and wood coatings.

Regional Analysis

Asia-pacific: dominates the global market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.80% during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific area's largest economy, China, contributes substantially to the region's expansion. Manufacturing, electrical & electronics, mining, textiles, autos, medical and pharmaceutical, building and construction, and other industries are significant contributors to the nation's economic growth. Mobile phones and computer accessories were the main exports of the nation in 2021, followed by automatic data processing equipment and components, textiles, apparel and clothing accessories, and integrated circuits. By 2025, the Chinese government predicts a 20% market share for electric vehicles. The need for automotive coating is expected to grow due to the country's rising vehicle manufacturing, which is anticipated to impact the crosslinking agent market.

Europe: growing region in the market with 5.05% cagr

Europe is expected to go up at a CAGR of 5.05%, generating USD 2460.70 million during the forecast period. Europe's largest construction market is in Germany. The country's construction industry has been expanding slowly due to increased residential construction operations. Europe's largest construction market is in Germany. The market for specialized coatings is anticipated to grow in the following years due to the upscaling of the construction sector. The surfaces of stationary structures, such as buildings, bridges, and highways, or portions of stationary installations, such as facades, pavements, and pre-fabricated materials, are typically covered with decorative coatings.

North America is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. One of the packaging markets in North America with the quickest growth is the United States. Large packaging firms, including Amcor Ltd., Mondi PLC, and others, are present, and their presence has sparked investments in R&D projects around the nation. The US auto sector has made a substantial contribution to the regional and international vehicle markets. Major automakers with operations in the nation produce and export vehicles to various markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Although construction activities were ongoing during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the construction sector experienced a decline of 6.7% quarter over quarter and a 1% year-over-year contraction in the first quarter of 2020, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE. Most of Brazil's 27 states, including Rio de Janeiro, So Paulo, and Minas Gerais—its three largest economies—kept their development projects going. Saudi Arabia has strong government control over all critical economic activity and an oil-based economy. Investments in several fields, including healthcare and education, have expanded due to the introduction of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Plan (NTP) that goes along with it.

Segmental Analysis

By type

The isocyanate segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% and is the highest contributor to the market during the forecast period. According to market value, the chemistry section of the crosslinking agent market is dominated by isocyanate crosslinking agents. Isocyanates are utilized in various coating applications, including high-performance, ornamental, appliance, and automotive coatings, and the fabrication of plastic for two- and four-wheelers, bumpers, and OEM air drying. The demand for isocyanate crosslinking agents is also driven by other uses, including coating for cans and coils, heat-resistant coating, powder, wood, and floors. The expansion of this market is anticipated to be constrained by the high price and non-recyclable characteristics of crosslinking agents like isocyanate.

Amides (primary amides) are the derivatives of organic acids, R1-COOH, in which the group NH2 is substituted for the single bond OH-group from the carboxyl. While ester connections give polyester flexibility, amide linkages give stiffness similar to polyamide. Amides based on crosslinking agents are utilized to harden or cure coatings effectively. The formulations provide exceptional toughness, flexibility, adherence to a wide range of surfaces, and great resistance to chemical agents. Additionally, the compositions exhibit excellent resistance to elements in the atmosphere, including heat, water, mineral oils, alkaline solutions, and organic solvents. In the construction business, amide crosslinking agents are frequently used in coatings for high-end finishing on roofs, decks, bridges, floors, and other surfaces.

Amino resins act as crosslinking agents for hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide functional polymers such as acrylics, polyesters, epoxies, and alkyds. Dimethylol urea and hexamethylol-melamine, the original methylated species, can be converted into liquid amino coating resins by reacting them with either n-butanol or methanol to create an amino resin that is more soluble and compatible with the coating resins. A coating film with a very high degree of crosslinking is produced by the ether exchange reaction between the amino resins and the reactive sites of the coated polymers as a result of the improved compatibility. The amino crosslinking agents, popular in industrial and ornamental coatings, play a significant role. Amino is also frequently utilized in industries like automotive, metal, plastic, and anti-corrosive coatings. Additionally, it supports uses including powder coatings, decorative, and industrial wood.

The most well-liked and flexible approach for labeling or crosslinking to carboxylic acids is provided by carbodiimide compounds. These are the EDC and DCC carbodiimides' chemical structures. DCC is N', N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, MW 206.32, and EDC (EDAC) is 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride, MW 191.70. The water-soluble EDC for aqueous crosslinking and the water-insoluble DCC for non-aqueous organic synthesis processes are the most widely utilized and easily accessible carbodiimides. The carbodiimide crosslinkers have a prolonged pot life, good crosslinking performance, and are simple to use. Some manufacturers and distributors of carbodiimide crosslinkers are Stahl Polymers and Nisshinbo-chem Japan.

By application

The decorative coatings segmentis the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period. Buildings that are residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial have decorative coatings applied to both their interior and external surfaces. The need for various crosslinking agents in decorative coatings is rising as the building sector expands globally. The strong demand for new construction projects and renovations of various commercial and residential structures in numerous countries drives the market for decorative coating. The rise of the middle-class housing market has been made possible by the growing middle-class population and their rising disposable income. This has increased the demand for global crosslinking agents in decorative coatings used in residential buildings. The most significant construction industry in the world is growing in the Asia-Pacific area at a healthy rate as a result of urbanization, rising middle-class incomes, and population growth.

In order to preserve the original aesthetics and provide steady functionality, automotive coatings can be seen as essential in preventing various damages, such as scuffing, scratching, and chipping. Additionally, the coatings improve the resilience and longevity of automobiles and shield them from adverse environmental factors like UV radiation, acid rain, high temperatures, and foreign particles. Automotive coatings protect vehicles against environmental hazards such as acid rain, heat and cold shocks, stone chips, UV radiation, car washing, blowing sand, sunshine, and material corrosion. The market under study is also anticipated to benefit from the expanding demand for automotive refinish as a result of escalating trends in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Concrete floors, metal building exteriors, concrete blocks, steel structures, and other ad hoc equipment are all coated with industrial coatings. Numerous applications, including automotive, metal, plastic, and anti-corrosive coatings, use amino crosslinking agents. They also cater to uses like powder coatings and industrial wood. The amino crosslinking agents used in industrial coatings improve chemical resistance, aesthetic appeal, and mechanical durability. Additionally, crosslinking agents in industrial coatings improve color and corrosion resistance. The crosslinking agents in the industrial coating improve color and corrosion resistance. In terms of value and volume, the industrial coating market is projected to hold a significant share and is expected to proliferate over the forecast period. This results from the rising demand for water-based and eco-friendly coatings across various industrial applications.

Recent Developments

• December 2022- BASF and StePac announced chemically recycled flexible packaging to preserve fresh produce.