Long-Chain Polyamide Market

Market Overview

The global long-chain polyamide market size was valued at USD 2,289.52 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 3,700.64 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.48% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Highlights

• PA12 dominates the type segment
• Industrial dominates the end-user industry segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest contributor to the market

One of the crucial polymers that bridge the gap between conventional polyamides and polyethylene is thought to be long-chain polyamides. These special compositions and qualities fill the gap between them and regular polyethylenes by producing monofilaments, which are then used in various applications. They are appropriate for use in producing hood components for industries and the automobile industry thanks to their essential characteristics, which include chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and the capacity to endure higher temperatures. 

Monofilaments made from long-chain polyamides are typically used in various applications requiring high chemical resistance and excellent dimensional stability. Fuel lines, cooler hoses, corrugated tubes, transmission oil, oil and gas transportation, sensors and solenoids, handheld electronics, and hydraulic applications are effective uses for long-chain polyamides. Long-chain polyamides exhibit excellent thermal, chemical, and hydrolysis resistance. 

Market Dynamics

Global Long-Chain Polyamide Market Drivers

Growing Demand in the Auto Industry

Numerous automotive parts are made largely of polyamides, including air intake manifolds, rocker covers, radiator end tanks, fuel rails, and electrical connectors. They have exceptional oil resistance, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and toughness, among other qualities. Heavy metals and other materials have been replaced with appropriate lightweight materials like PVC, polyamides, and elastomers as the emphasis on vehicle weight reduction to increase performance and efficiency has grown. 

Additionally, the strict regulations of regulatory bodies, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, European Law, and Bharat Stage Emission Standards, to protect the environment and reduce CO2 emissions also support the demand for lightweight materials. The average modern car contains more than 100 kg of plastic parts. Weight reduction, production improvements (easier assembling, integration of parts and systems), and increased design flexibility are a few of the main factors influencing the high demand.

Rising Demand in Various Industries, Electronics, and Sports Applications

Long-chain polyamides are used in various industrial products, such as hoses, tubes, rollers, and conveyor systems. PA 12 is utilized in many small-diameter medical tubings applications, such as interventional cardiology and neurology catheters, since it conforms with USP Class VI, is sterilization resistant, lightweight, has a wide range of flexibility, is chemically resistant, and is simple to produce. PA 11 is frequently used in manufacturing applications such as a barrier layer for water, air, and spray-painting hoses. Another factor driving the growth of the global market and increasing demand for polyamide components is the global expansion of the manufacturing sector. Potential in Asia-emerging Pacific economies, such as India, will likely drive up demand for cast elastomers over the forecast period.

Global Long-Chain Polyamide Market Restraints

Availability of Replacements

Polyamides are the most prominent family of engineering plastics with the broadest range of uses thanks to their exceptional balance of characteristics. They have excellent mechanical properties even at high temperatures, are resistant to wear and abrasion, have low gas permeability, excellent chemical resistance, dimensional stability, toughness, high strength, high impact resistance, and good flow. Nylon 6 (PA 6), Nylon 6,6 (PA 6,6), Nylon 6,9 (PA 6,9), and Nylon 4,6 are some of the nylon grades that are available on the market (PA 4,6). 

Furthermore, automotive exterior components like door and tailgate handle exterior mirrors, front-end grilles, fuel caps and lids, wheel covers, and trim all use PA 6. This is because PA 6 can be used to make various machine parts due to its high melting point and excellent abrasion resistance. PA 6 is widely used in airbag containers since it has parts integration and is lighter than metal containers. Containers made of PA 6 are strong enough to withstand high temperatures without breaking, and they do not splinter at low temperatures. PA 6, 9 also absorbs remarkably little moisture and the melting point is much lower. PA 4, 6 has a high degree of chemical and crystallization resistance. In addition, due to its excellent balance of strength, ductility, and high heat resistance, it is well-liked in the automotive and electronic industries. An outstanding candidate for applications requiring metal replacement is PA 4,6.

Global Long-Chain Polyamide Market Opportunities

Growing Use of Polyamide in Mooring Ropes for Floating Wind Turbines

Polyester ropes, preferred for offshore oil and gas platform station keeping, may occasionally be too stiff for wind turbine moorings, so polyamide may be a good substitute. According to some recent findings, altering rope construction and improving fiber coatings can significantly increase lifetime. Compared to a steel chain, polyamides can be modified to have excellent fatigue lifetimes. In addition, due to their low cost and high breaking strain, polyamide is a fantastic material choice for marine applications. According to recent studies, twisted nylon ropes are excellent for wave energy converter moorings. Additionally, synthetic fiber ropes are used in the marine renewable energy (MRE) sector to lower peak mooring line loads. Polyamide ropes are the best since they do not produce significant cyclic stresses and are less stiff than polyester ropes.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global long-chain polyamide market is segmented into North America, Asia-Pacific Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global long-chain polyamide market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.14% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific topped the list of regions in 2022 with more than 53% of the worldwide market. The strong performance of end-user industries like automotive, electrical and electronics, aerospace, and consumer goods and packaging is a significant factor in the region's growth. Several factors influence the demand for regional polymers, including quickening industrialization, population growth, and rising per capita disposable income in nations like China and India. In addition, a favorable business climate and the relocation of crucial automotive manufacturing facilities from the West to Asia-Pacific are accelerating market expansion.

North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.28% during the forecast period. The oil and gas industry's rapid expansion and the automotive sector's revival are expected to drive regional market growth over the forecast period. The region's established electrical and electronics industries are expected to benefit from the demand for long-chain polyamide. The country's brisk industrial expansion is accelerating the growth of the Canadian gas industry. Additionally, industry participants will have lucrative opportunities due to the rising spending on the aerospace and defense sectors over the forecast period.

In Europe, Long-chain polyamide is increasingly used in the automotive industry to reduce vehicle weight due to changing regulatory requirements. Due to fuel efficiency and emission standards, automotive manufacturers now emphasize incorporating long-chain polyamides into various applications, including powertrain, electrical components, chassis, trim components, and other vehicle areas. The demand for long-chain polyamides is expected to rise significantly due to changing consumer preferences toward biobased polymers and rising consumer awareness over the forecast period.

Brazil and Mexico are expected to overtake other Latin American nations as the top country-level markets due to the growing automotive industry. Brazil's expanding consumer goods, electrical, and electronics industries are anticipated to further support market expansion. Due to the affordable labor and raw material costs in Latin America and the lucrative business opportunities, major automotive companies have established manufacturing facilities there.

The Middle East and Africa long-chain polyamides market is primarily driven by the region's expanding automotive and aerospace sectors, rising oil and gas production, and rising construction spending. Applications for oil and gas that require extreme toughness frequently use long-chain polyamides. In the upcoming years, long-chain polyamide has a lot of room to grow because the Middle East and Africa are significant players in the oil and chemical industries. The development of the region's consumer goods industry is also anticipated to contribute to market expansion.

Segmental Analysis

The global long-chain polyamide market is segmented by type and end-use industry.

Based on type, the global long-chain polyamide market is bifurcated into PA10, PA11, PA610, and PA612.

The PA12 segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.71% during the forecast period. Polyamide 12 (PA12) is derived from laurolactam or -aminolauric acid containing 12 carbon atoms. When compared to other polyamides, it performs better in terms of its excellent impact strength (even at very low temperatures), lower melting point, reduced moisture absorption, superior abrasion resistance, excellent chemical resistance, resistance to cracking under stress, higher elongation, lightweight nature, and noise and vibration dampening qualities. Though it has a lower modulus, polyamide 12 has better creep resistance than nylon 6/6. In addition, the growing demand for polyamide 12 in the automotive industry fuels the segment's expansion. The segment is anticipated to benefit from lucrative growth opportunities from the shift toward using bio-based products.

Castor beans are the primary source of PA 11, a polyamide bioplastic that cannot biodegrade. Due to its superior qualities, including flexibility, impact and chemical resistance, long-lasting toughness and durability, low moisture pickup, and excellent dimensional stability, demand for PA 11 is expected to rise. Automotive (extrusion, molding), wire and cable, electrical and electronics, pneumatics, aerospace, and oil and gas (exploration, production, and distribution) are just a few end-user industries using PA 11. The outlook for polyamide 11 is anticipated to remain positive due to a shift toward bio-based sources and growing consumer awareness.

Based on the end-user industry, the global long-chain polyamide market is bifurcated into automotive, electrical and electronics, and industrial.

The industrial segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.310% during the forecast period. Due to their exceptional abrasion resistance, strength, and toughness, as well as their low water absorption properties, long-chain polyamides are used in various industrial applications. The industrial segment is broken down by application into filaments, houses and tube connectors, conveyor systems, pulleys, rollers, and pulley systems. In addition, the demand for long-chain polyamides in the industrial sector is primarily driven by rapid industrialization, economic expansion, and rising consumer awareness of the benefits of using bio-based products.

The automotive market is further broken down by application into brake tubes, fluid lines, cluster tubes, electrical systems, and other tubes. They are used in functional components for automotive thermal management and other demanding applications because of their toughness and strength when exposed to extreme heat, chemicals, fluids, and dry conditions. A significant increase in automotive production and sales in Asia-Pacific emerging economies, including China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, is expected to be a significant factor in the market’s growth for long-chain polyamide in the automotive sector. In addition, the demand for long-chain polyamide in the automotive industry is also anticipated to rise during the forecast period due to increasing laws and initiatives to lower the overall weight of vehicles and enhance fuel efficiency.

Recent Developments

• November 2022- Evonik introduced a new deaerator for UV-treated wood coatings.
• December 2022- Ascend and Foster Corp introduced a new medical-grade nylon.