Polyarylsulfone Market

Market Overview

The global polyarylsulfone market size was worth USD 2 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach an estimated value of USD 4 billion at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

 Amorphous high-performance thermoplastic polyarylsulfone (PAS) comprises phenyl and biphenyl groups joined by ether and sulfone groups. In terms of thermal resistance and short- and long-term thermal stability, it performs better than designed thermoplastics. The chemical and electrical properties of polyarylsulfone (PAS), including solid chemical resistance and high dielectric strength, are outstanding. The utilization of PAS is expanding, particularly in the water treatment and automotive industries, due to its remarkable resistance to hydrolysis and frequent sterilization. During the projected period, polyarylsulfone growth is anticipated to be significantly boosted by the expanding trend of switching out heavy metal components in the automotive and aerospace industries for lightweight polymers to improve fuel efficiency.

Market Dynamics

Global Polyarylsulfone Market Drivers

• Growing Demand for Polyarylsulfone from the Automotive and Aerospace Industry

During the projection period, it is anticipated that the trend of substituting heavy metal components with lightweight polymers in the automotive and aerospace industries would significantly drive the growth of polyarylsulfone. Due to its many benefits, including good flame retardancy, lightweight design, and high impact strength, polyarylsulfone is utilized in the aerospace sector to create airline interiors and lightweight trolleys for serving food and drinks to passengers. Due to its excellent thermal stability, dimensional consistency, lightweight, impact & tensile strength, and application in producing headlight reflectors, cooling water and oil circuits, in-vehicle electrics (housing and connections), and transmissions in the automotive industry.

The automobile industry will play a crucial role in developing the Asia-Pacific area due to the region's rapid population expansion, rising per capita income, and economic growth in nations like China, India, and other ASEAN countries. The deployment of polyarylsulfone in the automotive industry is therefore projected to predominate during the projection period due to the factors mentioned above.

• Growing Use in Ultrafiltration

Reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration are all used in the purification process used in the production of pharmaceutical and chemical products. Polyarylsulfone (PAS) is likely to be used in the beverage industry to clean wines, juices, corn syrup, and lactose while processing dairy products. Due to an increase in the production of faucet components and plumbing fittings, it is predicted that the construction industry will experience higher demand. Due to its significant applications in membranes, electrical & electronic & electrical, and plumbing fittings, PPS Polysulfones (PSU) emerged as the second-largest product by manufacturing capacity in the world market Polyarylsulfone (PAS) in 2017. Polyphenyl Sulfone (PPSU) is mainly used in specialized applications due to its higher cost. Some of the most exemplary obvious applications of PPSU include wire insulation, pipe fittings and manifolds, airplane interiors, dentistry and medical equipment, and more.

Global Polyarylsulfone Market Restraint

• Stringent Regulations on the Hazardous Nature of Raw Materials and High Cost

Strict regulations are predicted to impact the global polyarylsulfone market negatively. Since it is viewed by many governments as a harmful and toxic component for animals, carrying significant risks to human health, bisphenol A, the primary raw material used in the production of PAS, is facing international hurdles.

Additionally, it is anticipated that the high cost of polyarylsulfone compared to traditionally designed thermoplastics and regular thermoplastics will restrain market expansion. Additionally, it is expected that the high-performance thermoplastics' processing challenges may limit growth to some extent during the evaluation period.

Global Polyarylsulfone Market Opportunities

• Growing Mining Activities

Another important factor driving the expansion of the worldwide polyacrylamide (PAS) market is rising mining activity. Wastewater produced during mining operations is treated using polyacrylamide as a flocculating agent. The demand for polyacrylamide is anticipated to increase due to the mining industry's expansion. Polyacrylamide is frequently employed in the mining industry to extract minerals from mineral ore. The wastewater from mineral processing created by the mining channels during the mining process is also treated with it using flocculants.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global polyarylsulfone (PAS) market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

North America is the biggest market for polyarylsulfone, having a significant share of more than 30% of the total market size in 2014. The global increase in medical and automotive industrial development is primarily to blame for the growing trend in market patterns for polyarylsulfone and its varied forms. Regarding consumption and value, the United States is the top nation in North America and the entire world.

During the projection period, the Asia-Pacific area also had a substantial CAGR. The demand for polyarylsulfone in this region is anticipated to increase due to the automotive and aviation industries in growing nations like China, Japan, and India. China's demand for polyarylsulfone is gradually rising as the country's civil aviation fleet expands. Additionally, over the next 20 years, Chinese airline businesses expect to spend nearly USD 1.2 trillion on 7,690 new aircraft. The polyarylsulfone market in the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to expand significantly over the study period due to the causes above.

Segmental Analysis

The global polyarylsulfone market share is segmented by product type and region.

Based on product type, the global polyarylsulfone (PAS) market is segmented into polyethersulfone (PESU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), and polysulfone (PSU). Polyarylsulfone comes in various forms, but polysulfone dominates the market and will make up more than one-fourth of all polyarylsulfone sales in 2021. A type of thermoplastic substance is polysulfone. It is a member of the engineering plastics family, which includes various materials like polyethersulfone, perfluorinated polymers, and others. This polymer's ability to withstand high temperatures distinguishes it from other plastic materials and improves its performance under challenging environmental circumstances such as a chemical attack, abrasion, water damage, etc. Due to growing demand across various end-user industries, the market share is growing significantly. PSU is the cheapest polyarylsulfone in the world. As a result of its low cost compared to other polyarylsulfones, the product is finding use in the aerospace and medical industries.

A subclass of polyarylsulfones is polyphenylsulfone, which is quite similar. Due to its excellent chemical stability can be used in applications that call for resistance to potent acids, alkalis, and alcohols. Due to its adaptability for various applications, PPSU became the product with the quickest growth during the anticipated time.

PES, also known as polyethersulfone, is a class of thermoplastic polymers frequently utilized in the medical device sector. Polyether sulfones were created to benefit from their high heat deflection temperature, chemical resistance, and low coefficient of friction. Another essential product category that is projected to experience significant growth throughout this period is polyethersulfone.

Based on the end-user industry, the global market for polyarylsulfone has been segmented into aerospace, automotive, electrical & electronics, healthcare, water treatment, and others. The automotive segment dominated the market. Polyarylsulfone is widely used in the automobile industry for oil pumps, reflectors, connections, oil control pistons, bezels, transmission components, housings, and flapper valves due to its exceptional thermal distortion temperature and excellent lubricants and fuel resistance. Additional advantages over thermosets for automotive applications include considerable design freedom for more miniature car lighting and the capacity for direct metal plating.

The aerospace industry is reportedly expanding at a substantial CAGR. The aerospace industry's demand for PAS is driven by the growing preference for lightweight engineering over metals. The aircraft industry chooses PAS for various components because of its excellent flame retardant properties. In recent years, the manufacture of trolleys used to serve food and beverages to passengers on airlines has begun to utilize PAS. As large aircraft employ more than 100 of these trolleys, which implies weight reduction adds substantial value, the goal of substituting metals with PAS in trolley manufacturing was to cut its weight by half compared to the metal equivalents. In the aviation industry, PAS, primarily polyether sulfones, are also employed as impact modifiers for epoxy systems.

Recent Developments

• June 2022 - BASF has launched Ultramid® A3EM8 OP, a grade optimized for painting as it provides a class A surface finish and high bonding strength. With the new Ultramid rise, a primer is also not required to enhance bonding with paint.
• June 2022 - BASF has expanded its line of Licity® anode binders to produce Li-ion batteries. The usage of silicon concentrations greater than 20% is made possible by the second-generation styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binder Licity® 2698 X F. This binder offers more capacity, a more significant number of charge/discharge cycles, and quicker charging periods in addition to the established qualities of the Licity® product family.
• May 2022 - BASF has expanded the production capacity for its antioxidant Irganox® 1010 at its site on Jurong Island, Singapore, by integrating an additional production line into the existing production facilities.