Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market

• The growing need for E-TPU materials in sporting and recreational goods drives market growth

E-TPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane) materials are utilized more frequently in creating sporting and recreational goods because of their distinctive qualities. E-TPU is a kind of foam material that is perfect for usage in shoes, protective gear, and other products that need impact resistance because of its great energy return, cushioning, and durability. There are several reasons for the increasing demand for E-TPU materials in sporting and recreational items. First of all, customers are becoming more health-conscious and seeking goods that can keep them active and injury-free.

Excellent shock absorption is a feature of E-TPU materials, which can aid in lowering the risk of accidents while participating in sports and other physical activities.

Overall, as more people become aware of the advantages of this cutting-edge material, the demand for E-TPU materials in sports and leisure products is projected to increase. On September 23, 2021, Hotter and BASF SE teamed together to enhance energy return in the industry-leading comfort shoes produced by the footwear brand.

Manufacturers of E-TPU have a lot of opportunities in the medical sector. Catheters, medical equipment, orthodontic products, and wound care items are just a few medical applications where E-TPU is used. When choosing materials for medical items, safety and comfort are top considerations because some of the medical products are introduced into the human body. Materials with patient-friendly characteristics like flexibility and biocompatibility are therefore taken into consideration. E-TPU has excellent chemical and mechanical properties and biocompatibility, which are crucial in medical applications. E-TPU is superior to PVC in robustness, low temperature, oil, chemical, and wear resistance.

Due to its ability to be both hard when injected and flexible while inside the body, E-TPU is very responsive to temperature. Due to these characteristics, E-TPU is now more frequently used in medical applications.

E-TPU materials are used more frequently in the automobile sector, including in-car seats, headrests, and steering wheels. The safety and comfort of passengers can be increased using E-TPU materials, which offer excellent shock absorption. Construction is another sector where E-TPU materials are being used more and more. They provide good resistance to weathering, chemicals, and UV rays and can be utilized in insulating materials, roofing membranes, and other building products.

The Global Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Industry experiences a notable surge in demand from the automotive sector, driven by the need for lightweight and durable materials. E-TPU is increasingly utilized in vehicle interiors, cushioning, and insulation applications, enhancing comfort and performance. As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, the demand for advanced materials like E-TPU is expected to grow. In 2024, the market is projected to reach 233.8 USD Billion, with a significant contribution from automotive applications. This trend indicates a robust growth trajectory, as manufacturers seek to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

By region, the analysis offers market insights into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. The North American Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market is expected to lead the market throughout the forecast period. This is due to the expanding industrial production sector and the significant need for durable and lightweight automobiles.

The market in this region is also anticipated to increase as a result of the rising popularity of 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM), as well as the increasing demand for E-TPU in the medical industry due to its qualities of bio-stability, biocompatibility, and processing adaptability.

Further, the key countries considered in the market report are The US, Canada, France, German, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: EXPANDED THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE (E-TPU) MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, Market Research Future Database and Analyst Review

Europe Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market accounts for a significant market share. This is a result of an increase in TPU foam demand, particularly in the automotive and shipbuilding industries. TPU is frequently used in cars to lighten them up, improve fuel efficiency while maintaining comfort and safety, and offer superior chemical and weather resistance. Further, the German Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market held the largest market share, and the UK Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. One of the main drivers driving market expansion is the steadily expanding building and construction, flooring, footwear, and packaging industries in the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, China’s Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market held the largest market share, and the Indian Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The rise of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market is being driven by key industry players that are investing significantly in R&D to expand their product offerings. Significant market developments include the launch of new products, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Participants in the sector are also making a number of strategic moves to increase their footprint. To expand and prosper in a more cutthroat and difficult market environment, the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) sector must offer reasonably priced products.

Local production to cut operating costs is one of the main tactics manufacturers use in the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market to service clients and grow the market sector. The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) industry has recently provided some of the biggest benefits to the Footwear industry. Major companies in the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market, including BASF SE, Huntsman International LLC, Plymouth Foam, Ningbo GMF New Material Technology Co. Ltd., and others, are trying to surge market demand by spending on research and development processes.

The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is dedicated to fostering a sustainable future. The company's unrivaled technology opens up possibilities at the molecular level, resulting in measurable, sustainable solutions that help the world Move Cleaner, Create Smarter, and Live Better. Every day, users of the company's solutions improve billions of lives worldwide. Lubrizol, founded in 1928, employs over 8,800 people and owns and runs over 100 manufacturing sites, sales offices, and technical offices globally. The new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production line was introduced in December 2022 at The Lubrizol Corporation's Songjiang manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China.

This move marks another significant step in Lubrizol Engineered Polymers' investment in the Asia Pacific, increasing the company's capacity to produce TPU and bolstering local business assistance.

A leader in polyurethanes on a scale is Wanhua Chemical. The business strives for product quality, customer service, and innovation excellence. The business is the biggest producer of MDI in the entire globe and the only one in China with exclusive intellectual property rights for producing both ADI and MDI. Wanhua has expertise in MDI, modified MDI, and aliphatic isocyanates R&D, production, and commercialization. Wanhua is expanding its technology portfolio as they get bigger.

In addition to aliphatic isocyanate, waterborne polyurethane resin, waterborne acrylic latex, specialized amines, and families of petrochemical chemicals, including acrylic acid and acrylic ester, neopentyl glycol, and butanol, Wanhua now provide innovative coatings solutions. Wanhua has regional offices in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Japan, Russia, and India, in addition to five manufacturing locations spread across the globe. Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd. announced the creation of medical-grade TPUs based on polyether and radiopaque-grade TPUs in January 2023 to offer products for medical applications, including extrusion tubes, injection molding accessories, and cast films.