Polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer, is used in a variety of applications. It is basically produced through chain-growth polymerization derived from the monomer propylene. Polypropylene compounds are basically thermoplastic resins that are produced by a mixture of one or more polyolefins base along with various components such as strengtheners, fillers, impact modifiers, additives, and pigment. These compounds offer many features and are used in a variety of applications.
In 2020, Germany hold largest share in the Europe polypropylene compounds market. The growth of Europe polypropylene compounds market in Germany is primarily attributable to the presence of prominent market players. Germany is an attractive market for polypropylene compounds owing to the significant presence of food packaging industries; consumer goods industries; and automotive, electrical, and other industries. Germany is a leader in terms of polymer production and consumption. Polypropylene is considered an essential part of all end-use industries these days. Polypropylene is highly being employed in the manufacturing of interior parts as well as instrument panel dashboards for automotive vehicles. The material has replaced engineering plastics as well as metals, mainly in automotive parts, as it ensures significant weight reduction along with cost savings. Further, new product launch, business expansion, merger, and other strategies by different companies are supporting the in the polypropylene compounds market growth in Germany. In September 2019, LyondellBasell opened its fifth production line at a polypropylene compounding plant in Knapsack, Germany, and the facility is capable of producing 25 kt/yr. The capacity of this facility is covering 200 kt/yr, making the site is one of the largest polypropylene compounding facilities in the world. 12 new jobs were created with the opening of the new line. Lightweight polypropylene materials created by LyondellBasell are utilized in applications such as automobiles and electrical appliances.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the status of the plastic industry and has negatively impacted the growth of the polypropylene compounds market. The outbreak has interrupted the operational efficiency and created agitation in value chains owing to the sudden shutdown of national as well as international boundaries. The disrupted value chains have been hampering raw material supply, which, in turn, is impacting the growth of the polypropylene compounds market in Europe. However, economies in Europe are planning to revive their operations, which is likely to boost the demand for polypropylene compounds in the coming quarters. The food packaging industry is a dynamically growing contributor to this demand since consumers are inclined toward ordering food products online. Moreover, the previously postponed construction projects are presumed to resume, which would further provide an opportunity for the polypropylene compounds market players to regain normalcy. Since most of the people are confined to their homes amid the pandemic, re-designing and home improvement projects are expected to increase. Moreover, the automotive segment is likely to bring growth opportunities for the market as polypropylene compounds are highly used in interior and exterior parts of cars. The corporate sectors have resumed their operations with the imposition of several safety measures such as ensuring limited direct contact with visitors, strengthening and communicating proper hygiene practices, conducting complete sanitations, and eliminating personnel contact during shift changes. Further, the pace of the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in Europe has picked up, and the infection rates are falling in some countries. Lockdowns are slowly being eased to host tourists amid the upcoming summer vacation season. In June 2021, 27 member states in the region further aim to offer a digital vaccination certificate to those who has taken vaccine for uninterrupted travelling by July.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer produced via chain-growth polymerization of monomer propylene. The polypropylene compounds market in Europe is mainly driven by the increasing demand for these products from the building and construction, textiles, electrical and electronics, and automobile industries, among others. In the automotive industry, polypropylene is popularly being used as an alternative to engineering plastics as well as for metals used in automotive products. Using polypropylene as a cost-effective alternative to expensive plastics of similar strength and durability further helps lower the cost of manufacturing. In the automotive industry, the material is mainly being used in battery cases and trays, bumpers, interior trim, fender liners, instrumental panels, and door trims owing to its features such as low coefficient of linear thermal expansion and specific gravity, high chemical resistance, good weatherability and processability, and impact/stiffness balance. The low density of polypropylene compounds helps enhance the fuel economy of vehicles and also reduces the overall raw material costs. Furthermore, high flexibility conferred by polypropylene allows automotive products designers to come up with innovative designs with enhanced passenger safety and comfort. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.; and Trinseo are among the European companies offering polypropylene for automotive applications. Polypropylene compounds offered by LyondellBasell are used mainly in exterior automotive applications such as bumpers, mirrors, roof trim or integrated, front grille, cladding, wheel covers, and painted rocker panels owing to their high stiffness, low thermal expansion, and good scratch resistance, coupled with greater resistance at low temperatures. With high melt-flow indices and low-density grades, LyondellBasell resins can facilitate the molding of large thin-walled components, further leading to the part weight reduction.
Polypropylene compounds are being used in piping systems for manufacturing plants, products for laboratory use, and production of clear bags and food containers. High strength, rigidity, and purity makes these compounds an ideal option in the manufacturing of piping systems. These systems are often used in hydronic heating, portable plumbing, and reclaimed water. Applications of polypropylene in the building and construction industry include siding, air and moisture barrier membranes, carpet textiles, building insulation wrap films and sheets, industrial adhesives and tapes, and plastic parts. Polypropylene is employed in roofing sheets and insulation, and it is also being molded to form roofing products such as interlocking dry verge, slate roof vents, and tile roof vents. Polypropylene roofing products are gaining popularity due to their characteristics such as thermal stability, UV stability, durability, material strength, color fade resistance, flexibility, resilience, and minimal environmental impact. Further, polypropylene fabrics, i.e., usually nonwoven textile, meant for applications in the textile industry are produced directly from a material without spinning or weaving. The main advantage of polypropylene as a fabric is its moisture transfer abilities as it does not absorb moisture; this further results in quicker evaporation of moisture as compared to a moisture-retaining garment. Hence, this fabric is commonly used in body hugging clothing products. Rilon LTD, located in Europe, is offering production and sale of PP synthetic fibers, BCF filament, CF yarn, and staple fibers with a wide range of deceit and colors.
Based on type, the Europe polypropylene compounds market is segmented into mineral filled PP compounds, compounded TPO, compounded TPV, glass reinforced, and others. The mineral filled PP compounds segment led the Europe polypropylene compounds market with the highest market share in 2020. Mineral filled (MF) compounds consist of calcium carbonate, talc, and mica, among others, which deliver a low-cost filler option in case of price sensitivity. The mineral filled compounds deliver improvements over unfilled resins, terms of dimensional stability, stiffness, and others. Mineral-filled polypropylene provides high mechanical stiffness, thermal stability, good low-temperature properties, and good dimensional stability over a wide temperature range. These compounds are available in naturally colored, colorable, UV stabilized forms. Mineral filled compounds may also be used in high volume, low-cost applications, including appliances, automotive, and packaging. Conversely, they can be used as low-cost alternatives to expensive polymers.
electricals and electronics, packaging, building and construction, and textiles. The automotive segment led the Europe polypropylene compounds market with the highest market share in 2020. Polypropylene compound is highly utilized in automotive manufacturing industries. Being a thermoplastic polymer, polypropylene compounds can easily be formed into nearly any shape. Furthermore, it is being used as an economical alternative to any expensive plastics of similar strength and durability, which further helps lower the cost of manufacturing. Polypropylene compounds are being used in exterior automotive parts such as bumpers, mirrors, wheel covers, front grilles, cladding, roof trim, and integrated and painted rocker panels owing to their low thermal expansion, high stiffness, and good scratch resistance, combined with high impact resistance.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2020 | US$ 2,928.947 Million |
| Market Size by 2028 | US$ 4,179.15 Million |
| Global CAGR (2021 - 2028) | 4.7% |
| Historical Data | 2018-2019 |
| Forecast period | 2021-2028 |
| Segments Covered |
By Type
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| Regions and Countries Covered | Europe
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The List of Companies - Europe Polypropylene Compounds Market