High Performance Polymers 2008

Global Market Performance and Growth Analysis


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Study Background
Over the past 20 years the high performance polymer (HPP) industry has grown from $1 billion to over $7 billion. As overall global demand is increasing, the HPP space is filling out with new products and participants, leading to increasing competition. Where and how will new applications emerge for existing and new products?

Increasing industry complexity makes predictions more difficult. Shifting markets, new applications, globalization, changing alignment of key players in the space and new technologies all combine to make the HPP industry highly dynamic. So the time is right for this Principia report, which will provide exceptional depth and detail based on primary research and analysis.

A distinct category HPPs are a set of materials distinctly different from other engineered thermoplastics, metals and ceramics. These high value products typically outperform replaced materials with exceptional heat resistance, greater chemical and wear resistance, creep resistance, strength, stiffness and dimensional stability, among other critical properties. These high performance properties also help reduce total lifetime cost of fabricated parts, in automotive, aerospace and industrial applications.

Industry dynamics
While some HPPs are new and emerging, others may be approaching maturity. Participants are fighting this trend by developing new materials, grades and blends. Breakthroughs may involve new processing technologies and increasing partnerships between key participants. One such example is the blending of SABIC’s Extem® and Victrex’s PEEK polymers to launch the Victrex Max® line.

Key questions to be answered...

• Where is the growth and what drives it?
• Which HPP product families are best meeting end user needs and why?
• Who are the key customers in each market, including processors and OEMs?
• What are the obstacles to increased replacement of incumbent materials?
• What are the application trends to watch and capitalize on?
• How will emerging players affect the industry?

Using the Study
This study will help leading high performance polymer producers and users provide business insights on:

• Basis of competition among different high performance polymers
• Inter-material competition with advanced metals and ceramics
• Impact of M&A activity on high performance polymers
• Growth opportunities within various market segments
• Changes in supply and industry structure
• Impact of globalization

POLYMER FAMILIES IN FOCUS

Fluoropolymers

• PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE, PFA

High Performance Polyamides

• PA 9T, PA 4T, PA 6T
• PA 4/6
• Polyphthalamide

Liquid Crystal Polymers

Polybenzimidazole

Polyimides

• Thermoplastic polyimide
• Polyamideimide
• Polyetherimide
• Polyetherimidesulfone

Polyarylketones

• Polyetheretherketone
• Polyetherketone
• Polyetherketoneketone

Polyphenylene Sulfide

Polysulfones

• Polysulfone
• Polyethersulfone
• Polyphenylsulfone

Self-reinforced Polyphenylene

High Performance Polymer Blends and Composites

Other High Performance Polymers