Fluoropolymers Market

Market Overview

The global fluoropolymers market size was valued at USD 7,750 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 13,659 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

A fluoropolymer is a chemical compound containing bonds of carbon fluoride. It offers properties such as chemical resistance, electrical and mechanical insulation, thermal resistance, stress cracking, etc. For many applications, these properties pave the way for fluoropolymers, from coatings to industrial films. It is also used in domestic, construction, and electrical and electronics. Global market growth is driven primarily by demand from the end-use application sectors. They have great dielectric properties, are biocompatible, and are excellent lubricants. Thus, they are experiencing rising demand in the medical field, particularly in medical surgery.

Market Dynamics

Global Fluoropolymers Market Drivers

Advancements in Medical Applications

Fluoropolymer films are used for many medical and pharmaceutical applications, including cap liners, surgical release liners, plunger laminates, surface laminates, stoppers, fluid containers, implants, orthopedics, and prosthetics. Fluoropolymer films are biocompatible due to their excellent chemical inertia and ability to resist adverse reactions when in contact with the human body. Since these films exhibit no chemical changes or degradation when exposed to medical fluids, they are also used in the development of blister packaging and fluid bags for these substances. With technological advancements and increased demand for highly purified products, the market for fluoropolymer films is expected to grow.

High Demand in the End-User Industries

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is the most prevalent form of fluoropolymer. PTFE provides many advantages over other polymers because of its elastic properties. The main properties of PTFE are high heat resistance, lightweight, high dimensional stability, and excellent chemical resistance. Consumer goods, automotive and aerospace, building and construction, electronics and electrical, and chemical and industrial manufacturing are among the major end-use industries in which PTFE is widely used.

The growth of the automotive industry is also one of the most critical drivers of the PTFE market. In the manufacture of different parts of an engine, PTFE is used to boost the performance and durability of the automotive components. Using PTFE in cars results in lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency. A fire-retardant material that emits low smoke and toxic gases are important in aerospace applications. Numerous aerospace applications need PTFE, which can withstand aggressive operation conditions under an extensive temperature range.

Global Fluoropolymers Market Restraint

Rising Prices of PTFE

PTFE rates have fluctuated in recent years and have experienced an increase. PTFE costs have been steadily rising due to the closure of major manufacturing facilities in China and Europe. China accounts for more than 40% of global PTFE consumption and is also the biggest PTFE producer in the world. The arrival on the global market of a large number of reasonably low-cost Chinese goods has led to increasing prices of PTFE producers in other countries.

Global Fluoropolymers Market Opportunities

Increasing Use of Fluoropolymer Films in the Construction and Energy Sectors

Fluoropolymer films are used in cladding applications, including roofing and facade design in the building industry. Also, these films are used against intense corrosion, temperature, fading, and cracking to protect a wide variety of construction substrates. As an alternative to glass, these films are utilized in greenhouses since they are lighter and more energy-efficient. As fluoropolymer films are transparent, simple to clean, durable, and versatile, they evolve as one of the premium building materials. The fluoropolymer films are gaining prominence in the energy sector in photovoltaic front sheets, wind turbines, natural gas expansion joints, and hydrogen fuel cells. These films increase the manufacturing process's quality, energy production, and the life of the machinery and equipment used in this field. The benefits provided by these films are further expected to increase their use in various energy sector applications.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global fluoropolymers market is segmented into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global fluoropolymer market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The U.S. and Canada emerged as significant contributors in the North American region. This is highly attributed to decent growth reported by various end-user industries such as aerospace, electronics and electrical, and construction. The market for fluoropolymers is operating in the maturity phase; therefore, manufacturers in this region are mainly focusing on new developments to maintain growth stability. Companies have been using strategies such as expansion and product launches to meet the rise in demand for fluoropolymers products in North America.

The growing penetration of low-frequency fluoropolymers such as FEP and PVDF in uses such as the manufacture of semiconductors, coating in construction, and wire and cable insulation applications is expected to lead the market toward product innovation and material growth. The construction, electrical, and electronics industries will offer the highest growth in demand for fluoropolymers. Electrical and electronics will overtake industrial manufacturing as the leading market for fluoropolymers; this change is primarily attributable to the increasingly growing demand for photovoltaic modules to minimize reliance on fossil fuels as an interest in renewable energy sources such as solar swells.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3%, generating USD 1,088 million over the forecast period. The major countries covered in the Europe region include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. Germany, with its significant chemical and automotive industries, and Italy, with its domestic appliance and compounding industries, are the two countries in Western Europe that consume the most PTFE. Western Europe's greatest demand came from chemical process technology, mechanical and plant engineering, electrical/electronics, and automotive industries. The requirement for lightweight and miniaturized automotive parts among consumers following the Euro 6 emission standards fuels the demand for fluorochemicals in the region.

China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Australia are the vital country-level markets covered in the Asia-Pacific region. Fluoropolymers are specialty polymers that are rising strongly in the industry. Most of the growth is due to strong demand from the transport and automotive, electrical and computer manufacturing, chemicals, and industrial sectors. China is at the forefront regarding the utilization of PTFE and PVDF. Architectural coatings and new applications such as photovoltaic modules, lithium-ion batteries, water filtration systems, and special films for architectural and automotive glazing are the main drivers for further market growth. Therefore, the market for PVDF is projected to increase significantly over the next five years. Due to growing end-use sectors like construction, electronics, healthcare, automotive, and chemical processing, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and fluoroelastomer demand is rising in the Asia-Pacific fluoropolymers market.

Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, and Argentina are the major contributors to the regional growth of LAMEA. Factors such as the development of the construction and automotive industries, an increase in oil and gas production, and investment in the chemical industries drive the demand for fluoropolymers in the LAMEA region. Also, the growing investment in the oil and gas industry in Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly improve the demand for fluoropolymers. In addition, due to emerging industrialization in the African region, global players are entering the market to cater to ongoing product demand and exploit the opportunity in this region. Apart from this, the increase in penetration of fluoropolymers in various applications, majorly in the electrical and electronics industry, is expected to provide significant opportunities for suppliers and manufacturers to expand their operations in this region.

Segmental Analysis

The global fluoropolymers market is segmented by product type, application, and end-user.

Based on product type, the global market is segmented into PTFE, FEP, PVDF, Fluoroelastomer, PVF, PFA, ETFE, and others.

The PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) segment owns the highest market share and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. PTFE is the most prevalent form of fluoropolymer, which accounts for around half of fluoropolymer consumption globally. The product finds numerous applications in various industries, including transport, automotive, and chemical processing, such as chemical inertia, superior electrical insulation, heat and weather resistance, and low friction coefficient due to its properties.

Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) is a hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer and is a fluoropolymer that can be melted. As fluorinated ethylene propylene is very similar in composition to PTFE, it has the beneficial properties of low friction and non-reactivity characteristics of PTFE. The rise in demand for pickup trucks and small passenger cars has powered the growth of the market for fluorinated ethylene propylene in the past few years. Due to its huge advantages, fluorinated ethylene will continue to draw enormous demand from many industries.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic that belongs to a category of fluorine polymers. PVDF provides excellent chemical resistance, high thermal stability, good adhesion, weather resistance, and high corrosion resistance. PVDF is used to manufacture rods, boards, tubing, monofilament and drawn fibers, films, membranes, and cast sections

Based on application, the global market is segmented into film, tube, sheet, pipe, membrane, sealant, roofing, additives, and others.

The pipe segment is the highest contributor to the market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period. Pipes made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are used by almost every business that handles highly volatile and corrosive solvents and acids for their manufacturing needs. PTFE pipes are threaded into the reducers, bends, valves, steel rods, tees, spacers, and other fittings mounted in the pipeline. It is an excellent barrier between steel and chemicals because of the product's immobility to virtually all solvents and chemicals.

Fluoropolymer film is commonly used in high temperatures and extreme chemical environments to fulfill the performance requirements needed. Fluoro polymer films show different properties such as chemical stability, superior optical properties, dielectric properties, resistance to U.V. and temperature, moisture absorption, and low friction coefficient. The increasing demand for cooking and bakeware drives the demand for fluoropolymer films.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a massively used membrane material due to its superior properties, such as high mechanical properties, thermal and chemical stability resistance, and high hydrophobicity compared to other commercially available polymers. PTFE membrane is made of solid chemical compatibility of fluoride for all fluoropolymer filtration. So, it can meet all kinds of critical filtration requirements in the most aggressive environment.

Based on the end-user industry, the global market is categorized into transportation equipment, electrical and electronics, construction, industrial equipment, and others.

The industrial equipment segment owns the highest market share and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% over the forecast period. Fluoropolymers are widely used in industrial processing industries for various applications such as pumps, impellers, tanks, heat exchanger coatings, reaction vessels, autoclaves, flue duct expansion joints, containers, and semiconductor components.

Fluoropolymers are vital to the efficiency of critical components in the automotive and aerospace industries, including heat, cold, fire, smoke, violent fluids and fuels, moisture, vibration, and compression resistance. They prolong the useful life of different parts, avoid corrosion, prevent leakage, enhance safety, and allow communication. In vehicles, fluoropolymers lead to enhanced durability, increased engine performance, weight reduction and pollution control, fuel efficiency, CO2 reduction, and reduced leakage and fugitive emissions.

Fluoropolymers are majorly preferred in the semiconductor industry as they maintain purity levels in producing microchips and other electronics. Generally, fluoropolymers enable fire safety, reliability, and performance of cables, notably data transmission cables enabling a wide range of ICT and a huge range of other applications. FluoroTechnology products are crucial for the construction and building industries, providing materials like architectural membranes and coatings, caulks, and wire and cable with high durability, U.V. resistance, and anti-corrosion properties. Architectural membranes such as fabrics covered with fluoropolymers are used to construct large roofs, commonly recognizable above stadiums.

Recent Developments

• September 2022 - Arkema completed the acquisition of Polimeros Especiales. This Mexican business makes high-performance waterborne resins for various markets, including pressure-sensitive adhesives, textiles, architectural and decorative paints, and construction.
• February 2022 - Daikin Industries announced that it is developing a Fluoropolymer PFA for powder bed fusion.