Global Colorless Polyimide Films Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Colorless Polyimide Films Market reached US$ 110.0 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 6,102.0 million by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 65.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

A major trend in recent years has been the development of colorless polyimide films with customizable rates of thermal expansion. Scientists at the Beijing Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry in China published a research paper in January 2024 detailing the development of a colorless polyimide film with a tunable coefficient of thermal expansion.

Similarly in February 2024, researchers at the Yonsei University in South Korea demonstrated the creation of a transparent, hydrophobic and colorless polyimide film with imbedded silica particles for durability. With the idea of transparent display screens gaining traction, such an invention could prove critical for market growth in the coming years.

Dynamics

Increasing Development of Flexible Electronic Displays

Consumer electronic companies are gradually shifting towards active matrix LED (AMOLED) displays for televisions. Some premium laptops also offer AMOLED display as an extra option. AMOLED displays have the ability to turn off individual pixels, which means they are much more energy efficient than regular LED displays when projecting darker colors.

The usage of AMOLED screens also allows for a more slimmer form factor and a curved display. In September 2023, LG released a new 17-inch foldable AMOLED display panel for laptops and TVs, with a QHD+ resolution of 2560 X 1920. The display uses colorless polyimide films from SK IE Technology.

Development of Next Generation of Medical Equipment

Apart from consumer electronics and solar cells, colorless polyimide films have promising application in the development of new medical devices. Due to its flexibility, the films are being investigated for the manufacturing of medical tubing. Currently, a lot of companies are engaged in developing PVC-free tubing materials.

Furthermore, research is also currently ongoing into developing wearable biopatches which can remotely monitor patient vital signs. In November 2023, DuPont announced that it had signed a partnership agreement with STMicroelectronics to develop some of the first prototypes of the patch. As the R&D of new medical devices accelerates, it will raise the demand for colorless polyimide films.

Difficulty in Achieving Product Consistency

The challenge with the mass production of these polyimide films is striking a balance between thermal stability and optical transparency. The traditional methods of fabrication are not especially conducive for colorless polyimide films. Therefore, it requires alternative production methods which are relatively more expensive.

The OLED Association states that the current cost of colorless polyimide films is nearly 2 to 5 times more expensive than conventional polyimide films. Apart from the production process, procurement difficulties are a major component of the high cost. With more and more consumer electronics utilizing OLED technology for display panels, the severity of supply constraints will only grow.

Segment Analysis

The global colorless polyimide films market is segmented based on material, application, end-user and region.

Electronics Sector Will Continue to Retain the Largest Demand

As AMOLED and OLED display technology becomes more commonplace in smartphones, laptops and TVs, the consumer electronics sector will continue to witness a steady growth in demand. The next big application of these films is in mass commercialized foldable displays. Some companies like Samsung and Huawei have introduced ultra-premium smartphones with foldable displays. However, in the next 5 to 7 years, foldable displays are likely to become commonplace.

Solar cells is another end-user that will witness an upsurge in demand over the coming decade, especially as governments increase investments in renewable energy production. Polyimide films will be used for improving the operational efficiency of new solar cells.

Geographical Penetration

Expansion of Electronics Manufacturing Will Propel Market Growth in Asia-Pacific

The production of colorless polyimide films has taken off in Asia-Pacific, as the region is the most important production hub for consumer electronics. Demand dynamics are shifting in the region, with outsourcing of a lot of production from China to countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Over the coming years, we could see a much more diversification in demand sources.

A factor that gives Asia-Pacific the edge over other regions in this particular market is the fact that colorless polyimide films are mostly manufactured by South Korean, Chinese and Japanese companies. A steady source of regional demand in the form of consumer electronics and solar cell manufacturing, along with a large production capacity ensures that Asia-Pacific will continue to remain the largest market for colorless polyimide films.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The pandemic created tough market conditions for the colorless polyimide films industry. Many producers had to temporarily halt operations as sourcing materials became difficult due to global shipping disruptions. Furthermore, R&D spending was also heavily curtailed, which delayed the entry of new and advanced colorless polyimide films into the market.

Even in the aftermath of the pandemic, many players struggled to get back to normal. However, with a noticeable global shift towards renewable energy, the demand for colorless polyimide films is once again swinging upwards, especially in solar cell production. Consumer electronics demand is also increased majorly in the post pandemic period.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

Even before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Russia's colorless polyimide films sector was struggling. The local electronics industry was heavily dependent using outdated production technology and was heavily reliant on military orders to survive. The war simply made things worse for the Russian high-tech industry.

Western countries imposed trade embargoes on Russia, effectively cutting it off from western polyimide film suppliers and depriving it of advanced production technology. Although the sanctioning of Russia did lead to disruption in the supply of pre-cursor chemicals for polyimide film production, it only lasted a short while until Asian suppliers stepped in to fill the gap. The Russian market will takes years to recover from the effects of western sanctions.

By Material

• Trifluoromethyl Group
• Fluorene Group
• Ether Group

By Application

• Flexible Displays
• Flexible Solar Cells
• Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
• Lighting Equipment
• Others

By End-User

• Electronics
• Solar Energy
• Healthcare
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In November 2022, Kaneka Corporation announced the development of a new super heat-resistant colorless polyimide film for 5G telecommunication applications.
• In December 2022, SK IE Technology signed a long-term deal with personal computer brand HP to supply colorless polyimide films for foldable laptop OLED displays.
• In March 2023, a team of researchers from Beihang University in China published a study detailing the development of a new micro fabrication process for the mass production of colorless polyimide films.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include DuPont, Kaneka Corporation, Kolon Industries, Inc., SK innovation Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Wuhan Yimaide New Materials Technology Co., Ltd, NeXolve, Wuxi Shunxuan New Materials Co., Ltd, Suzhou Kinyu Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. and I.S.T Corporation.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global colorless polyimide films market segmentation based on material, application, end-user and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of colorless polyimide films market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global colorless polyimide films market report would provide approximately 62 tables, 56 figures and 196 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Construction Companies
• Furniture Manufacturers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals