The low profile additives market is witnessing notable trends that are reshaping the industry and driving its growth. One significant trend is the increasing demand for low profile additives across various end-use industries such as automotive, construction, marine, and wind energy. Low profile additives, also known as shrinkage reducers or shrink additives, are specialty chemicals used in composite manufacturing processes to minimize shrinkage and warpage during curing and molding. These additives improve the dimensional stability, surface finish, and mechanical properties of composite materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and polyester resin, making them ideal for applications requiring high precision and structural integrity. As industries continue to adopt composite materials for lightweighting, durability, and design flexibility, the demand for high-quality low profile additives is expected to grow, driving market expansion across diverse sectors.
Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness in the low profile additives market, driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and consumer awareness of environmental issues. Low profile additives offer advantages such as reduced material waste, lower energy consumption, and improved process efficiency, making them an attractive option for industries seeking to minimize their environmental footprint. Additionally, advancements in green chemistry and bio-based additives are driving the development of sustainable low profile additives derived from renewable resources such as plant oils, biomass, and recycled plastics. This trend towards sustainability aligns with the industry's commitment to environmental stewardship and circular economy principles.
Furthermore, the market is witnessing increasing demand for low profile additives with tailored properties and functionalities to meet specific application requirements. Manufacturers are investing in research and development to create advanced low profile additives with improved performance characteristics such as enhanced flowability, adhesion, and compatibility with different resin systems. Specialty low profile additives are used in high-value applications such as automotive body panels, wind turbine blades, boat hulls, and architectural components, where precise control over shrinkage and warpage is critical. As industries continue to innovate and develop new products, the demand for specialty low profile additives is expected to grow, driving market expansion and fostering innovation in the industry.
Additionally, the market for low profile additives is experiencing a shift towards digitalization and customization, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. With the rise of digital manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), computer-aided design (CAD), and simulation software, industries are increasingly seeking customized low profile additives and formulations tailored to specific performance requirements, processing parameters, and design aesthetics. Additionally, digital tools enable rapid prototyping, product development, and customization of low profile additive formulations, allowing manufacturers to optimize product performance and meet evolving market demands. This trend towards digitalization and customization is driving investment in research and development, product innovation, and customer engagement strategies in the low profile additives market.
Report Attribute/Metric | Details |
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Market Opportunities | The widespread use of fiber-reinforced plastics in the military and aerospace industry is likely to fuel the demand. |
Market Dynamics | The increasing use of these additives in the automotive industry. |
Low Profile Additives Market Size was valued at USD 0.691 Billion in 2022. The Low-Profile Additives market industry is projected to grow from USD 0.70594 Billion in 2023 to USD 1.2 Billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% during the forecast period (2023 - 2030).The growing automotive and construction industry is potentially driving the demand for low-profile additives (LPA) for imparting toughness properties to plastic resins is the key driver for low profile additives marketSource: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review
Low-profile additives are thermoplastic polymers that are used to enhance composite materials. Its main purpose is to improve composites' surface finish by giving them a smoother and more textured structure than would otherwise be possible during production. Avoiding surface damage is favorable, which works well, and it successfully improves the surface's attractiveness. To prevent contraction during the polymerization step and maintain the durability of the composite, this low-profile combination is typically used.
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review
Additionally, surging demand for sheet molding compounds/bulk molding compounds pultruded plastics, and resin transfer molding products in automobiles, construction, and infrastructural activities are likely to boost the demand. The primary source of demand for low-profile additives is the widespread usage of plastic composites used to replace metal in various end-use industries.
For instance, plastic composites being lightweight and highly durable, they are used as an alternative to aluminum and steel components, increasing their share in the overall structure of an airplane. Reduction in overall aircraft weight directly affects performance and efficiency. In addition, with reduction of 1 kilogram (kg) weight is estimated to nullify lifetime operating costs associated with fuel, for a commercial aircraft.
The Low Profile Additives market segmentation, based on type, includes Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA), Polystyrene, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and Others. The Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) segment dominated the market and accounted for over 38.0% of the overall revenue share. Its utilization in various compounding procedures is expected to rise due to advantageous characteristics such as an increased surface gloss and nearly no shrinkage. The polymer surface shrinking results in a rough topography and low glossiness. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has experienced tremendous growth during the forecast period. The market is anticipated to be driven by rising demand from the automotive sector, where high-quality surface finishes are necessary. In addition, it is projected that over the projection period, the rising construction industry in emerging economies will drive demand for LPAs.
Based on Application, the Low Profile Additives market segmentation includes MC/BMC, Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Pultrusion, and Others. The sheet molding compounds/bulk molding compounds (MC/BMC) segment dominated the market and accounted for over 52.0% of the share in terms of revenue in 2022. LPA is a necessary ingredient in resin mixture during MC/BMC processes as it helps in improving surface smoothness and controlling shrinkage resulting from molding the finished part. The use of fiber-reinforced unsaturated polymer resin composites in the form of MC as well as BMC preforms is expected to register the fastest growth in the Asia Pacific due to rising demand from countries, such as China, Japan, and India. The growth of the automotive industry in the region is likely to have a positive impact on the growth of the MC/BMC segment as these are increasingly used in automotive body panels, truck components, and semi-structural parts,
Figure 2: Low Profile Additives Market, by Application, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review
By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific was the dominant regional segment occupying over 48.0% market share in terms of revenue in 2022, followed by Europe and North America. The region is projected to account for a significant market share during the forecast period on account of increasing demand for SMC and BMC composite solutions. This is attributed to their excellent features, such as high strength and stiffness, lower weight, low emission, superior electrical performance, and high thermal resistance.
Figure 3: LOW PROFILE ADDITIVES MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review
The steady growth of the construction industry owing to growing urbanization and an increase in renovation activities are expected to boost the demand for plastics in roofing in the Asia Pacific. China, India, and Japan are the major producers of construction plastics. Increasing governmental support in the form of tax benefits and financial incentives in the Chinese and Indian petrochemicals industry to increase the flow of FDI is also expected to contribute to regional growth.
The automotive industry plays a significant role in the economy of Europe and is also accountable for 25.0% of the continent's overall greenhouse gas emissions. The RECOTRANS project supported by the European Union intends to create cutting-edge methods for producing lightweight materials for the transportation industry as well as fuel-efficient automobiles. These regional initiatives may increase demand for polymer composites and hence increase the use of low-profile additives.
Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Low-Profile Additives market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Low-Profile Additives industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.
The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for Low Profile Additives. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Low-Profile Additives industry must offer affordable products.
Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the Low Profile Additives industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Low-Profile Additives market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major Low Profile Additives market players, including PolyOne Corporation (U.S.), Ashland (U.S.), CCP Composites (U.S.), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany), LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. (Netherlands), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.
Avient (formerly known as PolyOne) is a manufacturer of polymer, colorant, and additive solutions. It offers polymer distribution, screen printing inks, advanced composites, engineered polymer formulations, printing and marking inks, polymer additives, polymer colorants, thermoplastic elastomers, in-vivo formulations for healthcare, vinyl formulations, fiber solutions, and other products. The company serves appliances.
Also, Ashland is an equipment manufacturer of motors, fans, and blowers serving the aerospace, medical, transportation, and military markets. It also provides engineering design and analysis, motor and fan repair, contract manufacturing, and winding services.
PolyOne Corporation (U.S.)
Ashland (U.S.)
CCP Composites (U.S.)
Wacker Chemie AG (Germany)
LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. (Netherlands)
Momentive (U.S.)
FRP Services & Company (Japan)
Reichhold LLC 2 (U.S.)
Command Chemical Corporation, Inc. (U.S.)
Changzhou Huarun Composite Materials Co., Ltd. (China)
Arkema (France)
Swancor Ind. Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)
Polynt-Reichhold Group (Italy) and Gazechim Composites (Sweden) signed a distribution agreement in November 2018 to supply unsaturated polyester products, gel coats, and bonding pastes through Gazechim Composites (Sweden). Polynt-Reichhold will gain market share in Europe as a result of this discovery, as well as help, meet the demand for low-profile additives.
A Schulman, Inc. (US), a supplier of composites, high-performance plastic compounds, and powders, was bought by LyondellBasell (Netherlands) in August 2018. The acquisition more than doubled the current company's compounding business and expanded its reach into new end-use industries like automotive, building materials, electronics, and packaging.
Low Profile Additives Type Outlook
Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)
Polystyrene
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Others
Low Profile Additives Application Outlook
MC/BMC
Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)
Pultrusion
Others
Low Profile Additives Regional Outlook
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