Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) Market

Market Overview

The global styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) market was valued at 268.53 kilotons in 2021. It is projected to reach 510.22 kilotons by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period (2022-2030). 

SEBS, also known as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, is a crucial thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that mimics rubber behavior without vulcanization. SEBS is simple to process despite its strength, flexibility, and excellent heat and UV resistance. It is used as a substitute for PVC in various applications and is likely to increase demand, opening up new prospects for the global SEBS market. The demand for electrical components in the construction industry is rising, and this demand is one of the main drivers of the global styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) market. On the other hand, environmental laws, higher costs, and the use of SEBS substitutes can restrain market expansion.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Rising Demand from the Adhesive and Sealant Industry

Applications in the paper and packaging, healthcare and hygiene, consumer goods, automotive, and construction industries primarily drive the worldwide adhesive and sealant industry. This expansion is influenced by various reasons, such as the expanding world population, technological advancements, and general increases in purchasing power. A rise in demand for medical and hygiene items, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, masks, ventilators, personal hygiene products, and paper products, has been caused by the recent global health crisis and the spread of infectious illnesses. The United States, China, India, and Japan are the primary sources of global growth.

India and China are expected to experience significant demand for adhesives in the upcoming years due to the rising need for medical structures and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the healthcare industry, as well as packaging items in the FMCG and e-commerce sectors. Most adhesive and sealant products, including tapes, labels, and other construction-based adhesives, employ styrene ethylene butylene styrene. Styrene ethylene butylene styrene has a flexible, high cohesiveness, and peel strength water-solvent borne feature. These factors are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.

Market Restraint

Expanding Use of Alternatives

The increased cost and expanding use of alternatives to styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) tend to restrain market expansion. As an alternative to SEBS material, substances like styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) are employed. Although SEBS are used in various medical and other core industries, SEPS material differs from SEBS material because it has a short sequence of methyl units, preventing them from crystallizing. As a result, SEPS becomes softer than partly crystalline SEBS and exhibits better elasticity and hysteresis behavior than the comparable SEBS.

When the oil is used as a plasticizer for the rubber component, the flexibility of the thermoplastic elastomer based on SEPS is increased. Due to the inherent qualities of hydrogenated polyisoprene polymers, styrene thermoplastic elastomers based on SEPS provide exceptional flexibility and elasticity. SEPS can be used in a variety of applications in place of SEBS. A few primary uses for SEPS are adhesives and sealants, rubber-like compounds (which can take the place of vulcanized rubber), coatings, compatibilizers, plastic modifiers, thermosetting resin modifiers, and shrink reducers for unsaturated polyester asphalt modifiers.

Market Opportunities

Growing Demand in the Construction Sector for Electrical Components

SEBS, also known as styrene ethylene butylene styrene, has grown in importance in commercial roofing systems. Due to its highly adaptable nature, SEBS offers the roof coating system a number of essential advantages. Styrene can be used as a stop-gap or as the topcoat on new commercial roofing texture and structure when fixing or repairing a roof composed of other materials. Some roofing materials that permit a top coating of SEBS include EPDM, granular surfaced SBS modified bitumen, PVC, smooth-surfaced asphalt BUR, galvanized metal, plywood, TPO, smooth-surfaced coal tar pitch BUR, spray polyurethane foam, and concrete.

SEBS roofing materials are much more durable than substitute fluid-applied coatings like acrylic or silicone-based products. They can withstand more extreme weather conditions and foot traffic due to their resilience before succumbing to wear and tear. A quick fix or a long-lasting, weatherproof treatment is also offered by SEBS, increasing the roofing system's lifespan. The typical lifespan of SEBS roofing applications is well over ten years before they need to be extensively restored or replaced. The demand is anticipated to be stimulated by elements like changing consumer tastes for higher living standards, quick use of smart roofing technologies, and growing awareness of building longevity.

Regional Analysis

The global styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.80% during the projection period. Applications for Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) include attaching automotive plastic components, electrical and electronics, plastic modification, footwear, adhesives and sealants, and many more. China is the world's top manufacturer and exporter and dominates the footwear market. According to reports, Asia produces nine out of 10 pairs of shoes, with China being the region's largest market. Chinese exports of shoes and boots were 7.9 billion units in the first 11 months of 2021. The footwear sector has had a substantial slowdown recently, but growth is anticipated to pick up during the projected period.

North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.00% over the forecast period. One of the things Americans buy the most frequently is footwear. To guarantee that they produce top-notch shoes on schedule, footwear firms invest millions of dollars yearly in their staff, stores, and platforms. The country's expanding footwear industry is predicted to help the SEBS market during the projection period. Additionally, the nation's market for adhesives and sealants is propelled by strong demand from the food and beverage sector and other non-food product industries. Consumers are increasingly ordering groceries, food, cosmetics, personal care, clothes, and other things online due to a high internet penetration rate and the growing demand for convenience.

Europe is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. The rise of end-user sectors, including automotive, construction, electronics, and packaging, makes Germany the largest market for adhesives and sealants. Lower interest rates, a rise in real disposable income, and significant investments made by the German and EU governments all contribute to the expansion. Over the forecast period, it is anticipated that the country's growing adhesives and sealants sector will increase demand for SEBS. With 41 assembly and engine production facilities, Germany dominates the European automotive market and produces one-third of all the cars sold on the continent. It is anticipated that the growth of the automotive sector will increase demand for bioplastics over the forecast period.

Brazil is the region's largest market for adhesives and sealants, primarily driven by end-user industries like construction, aerospace, and automotive. Growing consumer awareness of lifestyle diseases encourages consumers to lead active lives. This pattern will probably promote participation in sports, increasing the demand for sports gear. The market for SEBS is expected to have increased demand due to rising sports equipment demand. Adhesives are used more frequently in Saudi Arabia thanks to packaging advancements in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Numerous residential and commercial development projects are underway in the nation, which is predicted to raise demand for adhesives and sealants used in the building sector.

Segmental Analysis

The global styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) market is segmented into the form and end-user industries.

Based on form, the global SEBS market is bifurcated into pellets and powder.

The powder segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.25% during the forecast period. In order to create the powder form of SEBS, polyolefin polymers like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are used. Some of the significant attributes of the powder form of SEBS include high-temperature tolerance, superior aging property, electrical properties, outstanding solubility, compounding performance, and excellent oil absorption. It is employed in many different applications, such as adhesives, sealants, polymer modifiers, compatibilizers, etc., because of its diverse characteristics. Excellent weatherability, thermal stability, high tensile strength, and non-polar olefinic mid-block properties are all displayed by the SEBS polymers.

SEBS is produced as pellets utilizing polyolefin plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Pellets do not need stabilizers like lead or plasticizers like phthalates to be flexible. Due to its high strength, flexibility, and outstanding temperature resistance, SEBS made as pellets is well-known. The form is also highly resistant to water, acids, and bases from a chemical standpoint. Some companies producing SEBS in its pelletized form include Kraton Polymers, LCY Group, TSRC Corporation, Kuraray Co. Ltd, and Eni Versalis SpA.

Based on end-user industry, the global SEBS market is bifurcated into footwear, adhesives and sealants, plastics, roads and railways, automotive, sporting and toys, electrical and electronics, and other end-user industries.

The adhesives and sealants segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.85% during the forecast period. SEBS, particularly in powdered form, is widespread in adhesive and sealant applications. Petroleum resins like C5 resin are frequently used to produce upscale adhesives and sealants. It can increase the flexibility of sealants and coatings and the adhesive layer of protective films, tape, and label adhesives. Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, commands the SEBS market for adhesives and sealants. Adhesives and sealants are frequently employed in the building, transportation, and packaging sectors. The global SEBS market is anticipated to rise due to the expanding population and rising demand for adhesive, sealant, and coating applications.

In the footwear industry, SEBS is widely utilized as a thermoplastic rubber to create a variety of soles, shoe platforms, hardwood soles, and rubber boots. The demand for new and creative footwear products, an increase in sports activities, and a rise in the need for sports gear, equipment, and footwear all contribute to the rapid growth of the worldwide footwear business (made of leather). The largest producer of footwear worldwide is Asia, followed by South America. This explains why the footwear business in these areas uses SEBS. The product's market growth is anticipated to be aided by strict government rules designed to reduce the region's environmental effects.

The impact strength, elastic characteristics, and low-temperature flexibility of several thermoplastics, including polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, are significantly enhanced by the addition of SEBS. As a result, plastic is modified to make it better for usage in high-impact applications. The interiors of refrigerators, food packaging, consumer electronics, housings, vehicle interiors, signage, edge bands, profiles for furniture building components, and technical datasheets are a few examples of end-user uses for modified plastics. The plastics business is fundamentally tied to the packaging sector. Due to the continually rising demand from the food packaging sector, the worldwide packaging business is expanding quickly. The need for packaged and canned foods is rising, which in turn is raising plastic demand. This is due to the changing consumer lifestyle and the emphasis on work-life balance.

Recent Developments

• May 2022- Jesus Eduardo Ibarra, an expert in Dynasol A&S, attended the "in-adhesives symposium 2022" in Munich on May 12 and 13. The company's latest SEBS for low-melt-viscosity hot-melt adhesives for industry and medicine was presented. There are many applications for HMPSA, including clear tapes and labels, medical tapes, bandages, and paint protection films for cars. In addition, Dynasol SEBS grades aid in developing a sustainable HMPSA by reducing the energy required for processing at low temperatures.