Organic Peroxide Market

Market Overview

The global organic peroxide market size was valued at USD 1,190.12 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 1711.58 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Organic compounds with the peroxide functional group (ROOR′) are organic peroxides in organic chemistry. The compounds are hydroperoxides and are covered in that article if R′ is hydrogen. Peroxides' O-O connection is easily broken, releasing RO•-shaped free radicals (the dot represents an unpaired electron). Hence, organic peroxides are beneficial as initiators for some polymerizations, like the unsaturated polyester, acrylic, and vinyl ester resins used in glass-reinforced plastics. MEKP and benzoyl peroxide are widely used to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, the same characteristic also allows organic peroxides to ignite explosively.

The classification of organic peroxides is based on the presence or scarcity of a hydroxyl (-OH) terminus and the presence of alkyl versus acyl substituents. Diphenyl peroxide represents a gap in the organic peroxide classes. According to quantum chemical calculations, it endures a nearly barrier-free reaction comparable to the benzidine rearrangement. Organic peroxides are frequently powerful bleaching agents used as disinfectants, just like their inorganic counterparts. Moreover, it catalyzes the production of packaging materials, detergents, and personal care products.

Highlights

• Benzoyl Peroxide dominates the type segment
• Polymers and rubber dominate the application segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Organic Peroxide Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Polymers from Various End-User Industries

Organic peroxides are employed as an initiator in the synthesis of thermoplastics such as PE, PVC, and EPS, and as a modifier for polymers like polypropylene, a curing agent for thermoset resins, and a cross-linking agent for elastomers. PVC is the most extensively used plastic material for disposable medical equipment, such as flexible tubing and containers. Hence, polymers play an essential role in the healthcare industry. Many companies from developing countries have been increasing their manufacturing capacities to address the anticipated demand for PVC pipes due to government efforts to boost residential and infrastructure construction segments.
Additionally, the growing usage of high-impact polystyrene and general-purpose polystyrene in consumer electronics is also boosting the demand for organic peroxide. There were almost 300 million smartphone users in the US as of 2020 due to the rise in the use of laptops and smartphones for work from home. Hence, all of the factors above are projected to increase the use of polymers, increasing the demand for organic peroxides for

polymerization applications and accelerating market expansion

Rising Demand from the Packaging Sector

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyvinyl acetate are some of the polymers made from organic peroxides. A major portion of LDPE is used in packaging films. Poultry wrapping, dairy goods, snacks and sweets, frozen food bags, and bakery items have all seen an increase in demand for packaging films in recent years. A survey by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, predicted that the worldwide packaging market would expand from USD 36.8 billion in 2016 to USD 42.2 billion by 2021. 
Population growth, growing sustainability concerns, increased purchasing power in developing regions, the rising need for smart packaging, and other factors are primarily responsible. Moreover, the demand for flexible packaging, which uses plastic materials like polypropylene, is also increasing. According to the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) (US), flexible packaging saves ten times the cost of other forms of packaging, allowing for greater product yields by lowering content waste by 50-90 %. Therefore, the market is anticipated to expand over the forecast time frame.

Global Organic Peroxide Market Restraint

Difficulty in Storage, Transport, and Handling of Organic Peroxides

The primary concerns associated with organic peroxides are fire and explosion. Organic peroxides are extremely toxic and corrosive. Organic peroxides are also powerful oxidizers. Combustible materials polluted with most organic peroxides can rapidly catch fire and burn fiercely (i.e., deflagrate). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created a danger categorization system for typical organic peroxide compositions. The NFPA classification system explains these formulas' fire and explosion dangers in their standard transportation and storage containers, as certified by Transport Canada or the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Due to their unique characteristics, organic peroxides cannot be easily placed in any chemical warehouse. Although disposing of peroxides and cleaning equipment such as containers is not difficult, it must be done with precision and care. Thus, all these limitations in the storage, transport, and handling of organic peroxides are likely to limit their consumption., restraining the market growth.

Global Organic Peroxide Market Opportunities

Surging Utilization in Coating Applications

In the production of coating resins and adhesives, organic peroxides are utilized as initiators. The rise in the usage of industrial coatings across numerous sectors like automotive, electronics, marine, oil and gas, construction, mining, power generation, and many other industrial applications has increased the demand for coating resins, hence driving the demand for organic peroxide. For instance, the expanding oil and gas industry has increased pipeline installation globally, increasing the demand for coatings. The EastMed pipeline is a major project meant to transport gas from the offshores of Israel and Cyprus to Greece and Italy. The countries intend to reach a final investment decision by 2022 and have the EUR 6 billion (USD 6.86 billion) pipeline completed by 2025 to help Europe diversify its energy resources. Therefore, the factors above create opportunities for market expansion.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

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

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global organic peroxide market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.69% during the forecast period. China is the leading revenue contributor in this region. China is the world's largest plastics producer, accounting for 30% of global plastic production and is home to over 15,000 plastic producers. In addition, China ranks among the world's major producers and users of rubber. In October 2020, China approved two projects involving sophisticated synthetic rubber. The "Technical License Contract for TBIR and Integrated Rubber" was formally signed by the Petrochemical Research Institute of CNPC and Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co. Ltd. Butadiene and isoprene forms the rubber copolymer known as TBIR. It is a synthetic rubber that is still in the industrialization stage in China. The nation's production of synthetic rubber climbed by 0.99% to 7,513.2 kilograms of metric tons in 2020 from 7,439.6 kilograms of metric tons produced in 2019. According to estimates, as organic peroxides are employed in synthesizing polymers, the country's rising synthetic rubber production will stimulate the market.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.69% over the forecast period. Germany accounts for the most significant market share in this region. The German pulp and paper sector represents one of the largest pulp and paper industries worldwide. Germany is also among the world's leading exporters of paper. The paper industry in the country also witnessed a year-on-year growth of about 3.4%. Moreover, the rise in demand for paper packaging in food products due to health and environmental concerns also provided growth prospects to the paper industry. Germany has a long record of manufacturing high-quality medical devices, focusing on optical technologies, precise dental instruments, and diagnostic imaging. The nation hosts the world's third-largest medical devices market and the largest in the European region. Healthcare is a priority for the country, and the government has focused on R&D and innovation for many years. Thus, the growth in such industries drives the expansion of the organic peroxide market.

North America is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast period. The U.S. dominates the regional market. The U.S. is among the world's largest and most powerful economies. As per the reports by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), Mexico and Canada remained the U.S. plastics industry's largest export markets. The U.S. Government data document shows that the U.S. plastics industry operated 15,688 manufacturing establishments, employed 758,000 people, and made shipments worth USD 334 billion in 2020. This excludes establishments producing captive plastic products or supplying goods and services to the plastics industry. In addition, the plastics industry primarily supports the manufacturing sector and will likely continue to shift toward states with new manufacturing facilities. COVID-19's disruption of the supply chain has caused an increase in interest in reshoring manufacturing. Moreover, the U.S. economy is recovering faster than other countries, making it an attractive market for expansion.

The South American market is further bifurcated into Argentina, Brazil, and the rest of South America. Brazil's textile output increased 36% in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. According to Textile Focus, Brazil maintained the production rate during the year by shifting to protective items, such as masks. Moreover, the sales revenue from the clothing sector in the country increased by over 120% in 2021 compared to the previous year. Brazil's garment manufacturing sector comprised micro businesses as of 2021. In addition, nearly 72% of the clothing production units in the country belonged to the micro category. The growing prominence of small-scale players in textile and apparel manufacturing in the country will likely positively impact the market.

Segmental Analysis

The global pain management market is segmented by type and application.

Based on type, the global organic peroxide market is bifurcated into diacyl peroxides, ketone peroxides, percarbonates, benzoyl peroxide, dialkyl peroxides, hydro-peroxides, peroxy ester, and other types.

The benzoyl peroxide segment dominates the global market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.25% over the forecast period. Benzoyl Peroxide is among the most common and widely used organic peroxides, and it's frequently used in personal care and cosmetics for acne treatment hair and teeth bleaching due to its antibacterial, irritant, keratolytic, comedolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It comprises two benzoyl groups linked together by a peroxide bond. When benzoyl peroxide touches the skin, it decomposes into benzoic acid and oxygen. It is effective as an antibiotic for burns and as a dermatologic drug for the treatment of acne because of this oxygen release. In addition, acne treatment is determined by the severity of the condition, with benzoyl peroxide being the most effective and extensively utilized. Benzoyl peroxide is available in various forms over the counter, such as cream, lotion, gel, liquid wash, and others. They have strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%.

Diacyl peroxides have the fewest breakdown by-products and decompose to beneficial free radicals. Due to their act as electrophiles, oxidants, and radical sources, diacyl peroxides (RCO2)2 are cheaply available and commonly used reagents in organic synthesis. Diacyl peroxides are utilized in a range of applications, including the curing of unsaturated polyester resins and the production of PVC, polystyrene, and polyacrylates. In the polymerization of PVCs, diacyl peroxide is utilized as a free radical initiator. It also catalyzes the polymerization of vinyl monomers. Diacyl peroxide is also utilized as a cross-linking agent for thermoplastics and elastomers and a curing agent for thermoset resins. Their low half-life temperature of diacyl peroxides, i.e., 1-minute t1/2 of 267 °F, makes them unsuitable for most cross-linking applications from a processing standpoint. On the other hand, diacyl peroxide's efficiency can be used in applications that need low processing temperatures.

Based on application, the global organic peroxide market is segmented into polymers and rubber, coatings and adhesives, paper and textiles, cosmetics, healthcare, and others.

The polymers and rubber segment owns the market and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.42% during the forecast period. Organic peroxides are employed as an initiator in the production of plastics, as a curing agent, as a cross-linking agent for elastomers and thermoplastics, and in the synthesis and alteration of polymers. Saturated and unsaturated rubbers are cross-linked using organic peroxides. In addition, the peroxide breaks down along the polymer chain, generating a free radical. The peroxide radical combines with nearby polymer chains to form a carbon-carbon bond. Higher mechanical and physical properties and superior resistance to temperature, oxidation, aging, and stress crack corrosion are all features of peroxidic cross-linked polymers and elastomers. Moreover, they are more resistant to discoloration when in contact with metals or PVC and have a brighter hue.

Organic peroxides are used as initiators for manufacturing coating resins and adhesives. They are widely used for acrylic resin coatings. They are used as coating agents. Organic peroxides, such as ketone peroxides, peroxy esters, dialkyl peroxide, and hydroperoxides, are used as coating agents or initiations in adhesives and coatings. Anhydrous benzoyl peroxide paste is used in acrylic or silicone adhesives. With the growing demand from transportation, building and construction, electronics, and other industries, the demand for coatings and adhesives is increasing, increasing the demand for organic peroxides.

Recent Developments

• May 2023- Nouryon announced intentions to "significantly" expand organic peroxide production at its Ningbo, China facility. By mid-2024, the Dutch producer of specialty chemicals will increase the capacity of its Perkadox 14 and Trigonox peroxides to 6,000 t/y each.
• October 2022- Weber & Schaer GmbH & Co. KG started the distribution of ARKEMA's Luperox® and ReHc® organic peroxide brands in certain northern, central, and eastern European countries.