The market for injection molded plastics has been witnessing several significant trends in recent years, driven by various factors such as technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory developments. One prominent trend is the increasing demand for lightweight and durable plastic components across various industries, including automotive, packaging, electronics, and healthcare. Manufacturers are increasingly opting for injection molded plastics due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to produce complex shapes with high precision.
injection molded plastic finds application in various end-user industries such as automotive and transportation, packaging, building & construction, electronics, etc. Injection molding is the most widely used process for manufacturing plastic products owing to its several advantages. It enables speed molding with great precision and repeatability. Moreover, this process gives a smooth finish to products and reduces resource wastage.
Another notable trend in the injection molded plastics market is the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. With increasing awareness about plastic pollution and the need to reduce carbon footprint, there is a rising demand for eco-friendly and recyclable plastics. As a result, manufacturers are investing in research and development to develop biodegradable and compostable plastics derived from renewable sources such as plant-based materials.
Furthermore, technological advancements in the field of injection molding are driving market growth and innovation. The development of advanced materials, such as high-performance thermoplastics and engineered polymers, is enabling manufacturers to produce lightweight yet durable components with enhanced mechanical properties. Additionally, the adoption of automation and robotics in injection molding processes is improving efficiency, reducing production costs, and minimizing human error.
The injection molded plastics market is also experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing. These technologies allow for rapid prototyping and customization of plastic components, enabling manufacturers to respond quickly to changing market demands and customer preferences. Moreover, the integration of digital design tools and simulation software is facilitating the optimization of mold designs and production processes, further enhancing efficiency and reducing time-to-market.
In terms of regional trends, Asia Pacific is emerging as a key market for injection molded plastics, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and economic growth in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The region's burgeoning automotive, electronics, and packaging industries are fueling demand for injection molded plastics for various applications, including automotive parts, electronic enclosures, and packaging containers.
Meanwhile, North America and Europe continue to be significant markets for injection molded plastics, owing to the presence of established manufacturing industries and stringent regulatory standards. However, these regions are also witnessing increasing competition from emerging economies and shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
Injection Molded Plastics Market Size was valued at USD 314.6 billion in 2023. The injection molded plastics industry is projected to grow from USD 324.98 billion in 2024 to USD 403.2 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.70% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The rising use of injection molded plastics in the automotive sector, building and construction, and other industries is the primary market driver credited for the industry's growth.
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review
Automotive plastic injection moulding develops into a significant production process in the automotive sector, where quality, consistency, and safety are of utmost importance. Due to the rigidity, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and weather resistance of injection molded plastics like polypropylene and polystyrene, these materials are employed to create a variety of vehicle parts. Car doors, cable insulation, carpet fibers, bumpers, and bodies, for instance, are made of polypropylene, whereas the instrument panel is made of polystyrene. As per market dynamics, car businesses are gradually replacing their metal automotive parts with plastic because automotive injection-molded plastic is lightweight and less expensive. For instance, Toyota Motor Corp. used plastic injection moulding in 2020 to make seats for its 2021 Sienna Minivan lighter and less expensive. For the 2020 Model Y's headliner and HVAC system, Tesla employed plastics that were injected into moulds, and it plans to use more injection-molded plastic in its other vehicles going forward. Thus, this factor is driving the market CAGR for injection molded plastics.
Additionally, due to their qualities, such as reduced package weight and the availability of a wide range of container designs, plastics are frequently utilised, much like glass, and can be used as alternatives in frozen food packaging, vegetable packaging, bakery packaging, and ready meal packaging. The lack of raw resources, the labour scarcity, and the unbiased operation of manufacturing sectors all contributed to the expansion of COVID-19, which had an effect on the packaging industry. With evolving consumer tastes and a rise in the demand for packaged food and water, the market is anticipated to rebound. While other polymers are also in demand for various plastic packing applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanden Recycling Ltd. claims that there has been no decrease in the market for PET and HDPE to be utilised in plastic bottles.
Furthermore, as new technologies are made available on the market for injection molded plastics, all manufacturers of injection molded plastics now have the opportunity to take use of these developments in their injection moulding process, giving them more control, flexibility, and precision. For instance, in 2020 Rodon Group added six Nissei Hybrid Injection Molding Machines to its manufacturing process; as a result, the company will be able to cut its energy costs by up to 47% and increase the range of products it offers for plastics that can be customized during the injection moulding process. A process monitoring system that Kistler developed in 2021 will stop the use of subpar material in the injection moulding process. As a result, the cost of producing injection molded plastics like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polypropylene can be decreased with the adoption of such new technologies. Thus, it is anticipated that this aspect will accelerate injection molded plastics market revenue globally.
The injection molded plastics market segmentation has been segmented by type into polypropylene, ABS, ASA, SAN, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, polystyrene, polycarbonate, PEEK, PET, polyurethane thermoplastics and others. As per the market forecast, the battery electric vehicles segment dominated the injection molded plastics market data in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during 2022-2030. Its superior qualities, such as light weight, shock resistance, low friction, chemical corrosion resistance, etc., account for this. Gears are made of polypropylene, which has a wide range of industrial applications, including the automotive industry. It is employed in the construction industry for the insulation of electrical cable systems and the sterilization of medical supplies like syringes and vials.
The injection molded plastics market segmentation, based on application, Packaging, Consumables & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Medical and Others. The packaging segment dominated the injection molded plastics market revenue in 2023 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2024-2032. This is due to a number of causes, including the rising need for long-lasting and non-toxic packaging materials by industries including food and beverage packaging. Various food-grade materials like low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene used in plastic injection moulding have unique qualities like high durability, chemical resistance, tolerance of all-weather type, etc. This makes them useful packaging materials in the food business.
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
By region, the study provides the market insights for injection molded plastics into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America injection molded plastics market accounted for USD 114.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a 42.60% CAGR during the study period due to the region's electronics and packaging sectors' exponential growth in demand. For instance, cutting-edge computer chips are still produced in the US and are used in a variety of products, including military hardware, medical devices, communication technology, and others. Additionally, there is a sizable manufacturer base in this area, thus it is anticipated that the injection molded plastics industry will experience robust expansion soon.
Further, the major countries studied in the market report for injection molded plastics are: The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Asia Pacific injection molded plastics market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2022 to 2030 due to the packaging and automobile industries' growing demand for injection molded plastics. China is a large customer because of its expanding population and quick urbanization, which will have a big impact on the expansion of the regional market for injection molded plastics. Further, the China injection molded plastics market held the largest market share, and the India injection molded plastics market was the fastest-growing market in the region.
European injection molded plastics market accounts for the second-fastest growing market share. The manufacturers of packaging materials have broadened their perspectives in response to the rising need for efficient packaging for food and beverages. Companies like Berry global and Mondi Group are devoting a lot of money to creating new packaging items, such as bottles with unusual forms, strong, easy-to-pour tops and closures, and long-lasting containers. The demand for these items, which are typically produced using plastic injection moulding, is anticipated to increase gradually throughout the European region over the projected period. Moreover, Germany injection molded plastics market held the largest market share, and the UK injection-molded plastics market was the fastest-growing market in this region.
Major market players are spending a lot on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the injection molded plastics industry grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, market developments and collaboration with other organizations. According to the market competitive landscape, players in the industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market industry.
One of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the injection molded plastics industry to benefit clients and expand the sector is manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, the injection molded plastics industry has provided medicine with some of the most significant benefits. The injection molded plastics market major player such as BASF SE (Germany), Huntsman International LLC (US), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Exxon Mobil Corporation (US), LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV (Netherlands), DowDuPont (US), INEOS Group Holdings SA (UK), Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (US), Reliance Industries Limited (India) and Eastman Chemical Company (US).
Holding company INEOS Group Holdings S.A. conducts business. The Company produces petrochemicals and oil products like polymers, ethylene oxide, and acetate esters through its subsidiaries. International customers are served by INEOS Group Holdings. In July 2022, to expand its footprint in China, INEOS signed three petrochemical contracts with Sinopec, totaling USD $7 billion.
Also, a multinational chemical corporation with offices in London, the UK and Houston, Texas, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. was founded in the Netherlands. In terms of polyethylene and polypropylene technologies, the firm is the largest licensee. In June 2021, the successful launch of Ulsan PP Co., Ltd.'s 400 kilotons per annum (KTA) polypropylene production facility in South Korea was announced by LyondellBasell. PolyMirae Company Ltd., a 50:50 partnership between LyondellBasell and DL Chemical, and SK Advanced are partners in Ulsan PP Co., Ltd. This action strengthens LyondellBasell's position in the polypropylene production industry and lays the groundwork for future expansion in related industries.
August 2020: Injection moldable thermoplastic elastomers were added to the Versaflex line by Avient Corporation (Formerly PolyOne). The product was created without using any derivatives from animals and can be used for a number of medical device applications.
June 2020: A 5,000 square foot manufacturing and office addition was made to the California location of Pacific Plastics Injection Molding, a subsidiary of Diversified Plastics Inc. This extension was carried out to boost output and ensure security.
August 2023: BASF announced the development of a new bio-based nylon resin called PA 6.10 CF, which is made from renewable resources and is reinforced with carbon fiber for added strength and stiffness. The new resin is expected to be used in a variety of applications, including automotive parts, sporting goods, and electronics
Polypropylene
ABS
ASA
SAN
HDPE
LDPE
LLDPE
Polystyrene
Polycarbonate
PEEK
PET
Polyurethane Thermoplastics
Others
Packaging
Consumables & Electronics
Automotive & Transportation
Building & Constructions
Medical
Others
North America
US
Canada
Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Spain
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
Australia
South Korea
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Rest of the World
Middle East
Africa
Latin America
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