Chemical Specialty Chemicals Update Program

Thermoplastics, High-Performance

Specialty Chemicals Update Program

Published December 2021

High-performance thermoplastics (HPTPs) are high-priced, low-volume polymers that are sold for use in specialized applications that require a combination of extraordinary properties (the most important being that of high-heat-temperature tolerance and performance). Moreover, these HPTPs can replace metal parts and are considered lightweighting materials in industry. These polymers represent a very small subset of the entire thermoplastics industry, which consists primarily of high-volume commodity thermoplastics (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene) as well as medium-volume engineering thermoplastics (e.g., nylon 6 and 66 resins, polyacetal resins, polyethylene-terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, and polymethyl methacrylate).

This report explores the main HPTPs presently in use, the major players, and the major markets for each HPTP (neat resin basis), and presents a global overview of HPTPs by major country/region. The major HPTPs covered in this report include high-performance polyamides of polyphthalamides, nylon 46, and polyarylamides; polyphenylene sulfide resins; sulfone polymers; liquid crystal polymers; aromatic ketone polymers; polyetherimide; and others such as PCT, polyarylate, and other thermoplastic polyimides.

The following chart presents world consumption of high-performance thermoplastics by type on a value basis:

The largest-volume HPTPs are the high-performance polyamides (HPPAs). HPPAs are designed for use in applications where engineering thermoplastic nylons are unsuitable such as automotive engine coolant pumps, impellers, valves, and other applications. HPPAs can withstand high operating temperatures and continuous contact with fluids because they are not prone to absorbing water. An important factor driving the high-performance polyamides market is high demand for automotive weight reduction resulting from stringent regulations in some countries for environmental protection and lower CO2 emissions. The need for improved strength, enhanced durability, increased thermal performance, and simplified processing is another strong driver for using HPPAs. HPPAs have also gained popularity in the electrical/electronics industry (e.g., handheld devices).

The main markets for HPTPs are electrical/electronics, automotive, aircraft/aerospace, industrial (including oil and energy), and health (medical/dental). A few of the key drivers for the growth of HPTPs are as follows:

Electrical/electronics. Continuing drive for miniaturization, higher temperature generation and greater stresses, consumer demand, increased durability, and the pervasive daily usage of mobile electronic devices.
Transportation (mainly automotive and aircraft). Replacement of metals with plastics, high demand for weight reduction in vehicles and aircraft, stronger heat requirements, more compact design engineering, increased flame retardant specifications, increased production of electric vehicles, increased aircraft fleet production, greater use of composites; in general, recyclability, greater environmental considerations (increased fuel efficiency, lower CO₂ emissions), and legislation.
Industrial, including oil and energy. Harsher and more demanding operating conditions, stronger heat requirements, lower systems cost and less maintenance, increased resistance to chemicals, better performance, and increased lifetime durability.
Medical. Aging global population, stronger heat requirements, biocompatibility for implants, use of more aggressive cleaners and disinfectants, increased sterilization and disinfection compatibility, and increased lifetime durability.

The high-performance thermoplastics business is international in scope. The industry leaders have worldwide marketing, distribution, and technical service capabilities, although in many instances, they may manufacture HPTPs at only a few sites. Companies that do not manufacture locally generally supply product through regional compounding facilities, and sales and distribution centers. The companies may also supplement their marketing activities with regional alliances. Most HPTP producers compound their polymers with glass fibers, mineral, or carbon fiber reinforcement to add significant value to the base polymer by developing proprietary and/or technology-intensive processing capabilities, as well as to accelerate development into new markets.

Historically, the United States, Europe, and Japan were the only countries/regions that had production capability for high-performance thermoplastics (neat resins). Presently, others such as India, South Korea, and mainland China have established a domestic presence for production and compounding of HPTP neat resins. This is highly favorable in terms of market strategy on a company and country level. Several producers have established a presence and joint venture partnerships for HPTPs in India, South Korea, and mainland China. In the last decade, many mainland Chinese companies have also added production facilities for HPTPs, including aromatic ketone polymers, high-performance polyamides, liquid crystal polymers, polyphenylene sulfide resins, and sulfone polymers.

The European region was the largest HPTP-consuming region (volume basis), at 26% of total global consumption in 2021. On an individual country basis, mainland China overtook the United States in the last three years and became the leader in terms of global HPTP consumption at roughly one-quarter of global consumption in 2021; the United States was in the second place and Japan was the third position. World consumption of HPTPs is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.8% during 2021–26.

For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.

IHS Markit’s Specialty Chemicals Update Program –High-Performance Thermoplastics is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including

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IHS Markit’s Specialty Chemicals Update Program –High-Performance Thermoplastics has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with IHS Markit’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.

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Executive summary 6

Summary 7

Introduction 11

Abbreviations 15

Overview of the high-performance thermoplastics industry 18

Research and development 21

Manufacturing 22

Sales and marketing 23

Profitability 24

Victrex plc 24

Solvay Specialty Polymers 25

Trends and opportunities 25

Aircraft/aerospace 29

Automotive 32

Electrical/electronics industry 34

Industrial 35

Medical 36

Critical factors for success 37

Profiles of high-performance thermoplastics producers 40

BASF 40

Celanese Corporation 42

DuPont 44

Kingfa Scientific and Technology 45

Mitsui Chemicals 45

SABIC 46

Solvay 47

Sumitomo Chemical 50

Toray Industries 51

Victrex plc 52

Zhejiang NHU 54

Profiles of high-performance thermoplastics 55

Semicrystalline HPTPs 55

High-performance polyamides 55

Aliphatic polyamides 55

Polyaryl polyamides (PARAs) 56

Polyphthalamides 57

Consumption and markets 61

Market participants 62

Polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT) 65

Polyphenylene sulfide 68

Consumption and markets 70

Transportation 71

Electrical and electronics 73

Mechanical and industrial 73

Fibers 74

Other 75

Market participants 75

Prices 82

Liquid crystal polymers 83

Consumption and markets 85

Electronics and electrical 86

Transportation 87

Industrial applications 87

Other applications 88

Market participants 88

Prices 91

Aromatic ketone polymers 91

Consumption and markets 92

Transportation 94

Electrical/electronics 95

Industrial and energy 95

Medical 96

Other 96

Market participants 96

Prices 100

Amorphous HPTPs 101

Polyarylate 101

Sulfone polymers 103

Consumption and markets 105

Medical 107

Transportation 107

Household/food 107

Electrical/electronic 108

Industrial/other 108

Market participants 109

Prices 112

Thermoplastic polyimides 112

Aurum^® polyimide resin 112

Polyamide-imide (PAI) 113

Polyether-imide (PEI) 114

Consumption and markets 115

Electrical and electronics (E&E) 115

Transportation 115

Medical Applications 115

Food Industry 116

Other 116

Market participants 116

Prices 117

Other polyimides 117

Revisions 118

Data Workbook 119

Notice 120

Products & Solutions from related industries

Ammonium Sulfate - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Specialty Adhesives and Sealants - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Catalysts Emission Control - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Coatings, Radiation Curable - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Lubricants, Synthetic - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Coatings, Thermosetting Powder - Specialty Chemicals Update Program (SCUP)

Chlorobenzenes - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Cresols, Xylenols and Cresylic Acids - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Dimethylterephthalate (DMT) and Terephthalic Acid (TPA) - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Energy - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Expandable Polystyrene - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA)/Linear Alkylate Sulfonate (LAS) - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Pigments, Organic Color - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Petrochemical Feedstocks - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Phosphoric Acid - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Polymethyl Methacrylate - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Polyvinyl Alcohol - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH)

Specialty Chemicals Industry Overview - SCUP

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Thermoplastics, High-Performance

Specialty Chemicals Update Program

Contents