2018 Market Outlook Analysis for Thermoplastic Elastomers

Release Date:

2020-08-08

Author:

Thermoplastic elastomers, also known as synthetic rubbers or artificial rubbers, combine the high elasticity, aging resistance, and oil resistance characteristic of conventional vulcanized rubber with the ease of processing and diverse processing methods typical of thermoplastics. These materials are simple to process, have low processing costs, and can be recycled, making them a new class of synthetic materials that are increasingly replacing traditional rubber. Their products are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, qualifying them as standard eco-friendly materials. At room temperature, thermoplastic elastomers exhibit the elasticity of conventional rubber; when heated, they can be molded into elastomeric forms. There are many types of thermoplastic elastomers, including styrenic, polyolefin, polyurethane, and polyester varieties.

Thermoplastic elastomers, also known as synthetic rubbers or artificial rubbers, combine the high elasticity, aging resistance, and oil resistance of conventional vulcanized rubber with the ease of processing and diverse processing methods characteristic of ordinary plastics. These materials are simple to process, cost-effective, and can be recycled, making them a new type of synthetic material that is increasingly replacing traditional rubber. Moreover, their products are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and meet standard eco-friendly material specifications.

　　Thermoplastic elastomers exhibit the elasticity of conventional rubbers at room temperature and can be plasticized into an elastomeric state at elevated temperatures. A wide variety of thermoplastic elastomers are available, including styrenic, polyolefin, polyurethane, and polyester types. Their applications span a broad range, from everyday consumer goods such as rubber shoes and adhesive tapes to industrial products like adhesives, automotive components, wires and cables, hoses, and coatings. With the sole exception of pneumatic tires, virtually all tire-related rubber products can be replaced by thermoplastic elastomers. In China’s consumption structure for thermoplastic elastomers—TPO/TPV—approximately 60% is used in the automotive industry, primarily for components such as bumpers, fenders, and instrument panels.

　　Thermoplastic elastomers represent a materials revolution in the elastomer industry. As a novel class of materials that bridges the gap between rubber and thermoplastic polymers, they can not only replace certain types of rubber but also serve as modifiers for plastics. Moreover, their processing is straightforward: unlike rubber, they do not require thermal vulcanization; instead, they can be readily molded into finished products using standard plastic-processing equipment. This enables a 25% reduction in rubber manufacturing cycle times, energy savings of 25–40%, and a 10–20-fold increase in production efficiency.

　　Benefiting from the global automotive industry’s recovery, the market for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) is expected to grow at a faster rate over the next five years than it did in the previous five. Global annual demand for TPE is projected to reach 5.6 million tonnes in 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. By that time, demand in the Asia-Pacific region will account for roughly half of total global demand, maintaining its position as the largest TPE market. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, China’s TPE market is forecast to post an average annual growth rate lower than the 13.1% recorded during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, but it should still sustain steady growth of around 8%, indicating a very promising market outlook.