Polyolefin Foam Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The global polyolefin foam market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.72% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Polyolefin foams are made up of many components that have been kneaded together. Typically, it includes an organic blowing agent and a cross-linking agent. These components combine to form Polyolefin resin. It is produced by thermally dissolving the froth in a closed system. Polyolefin is a broad name for any compound derived from an olefin as a monomer. They are classified into several categories based on the olefin utilized. For instance, when ethylene is used as the monomer, it leads to the formation of polyethylene. It is relatively cheap and easy to carry around, and it can be used in many different projects. It is often used in the interior dimension of aviation, automobile products, and the food industry.

All commercial foam products are generally categorized as either high- or low-density foams. High-density foams have densities of between 75% to 90% of the non-foamed polymers. They are used where the product has to have more weight bearing like furniture, cabins, material handling, industrials, constructions, automotive, and marine. Low-density foams have densities between 10% and 20% of non-foamed polymer. These foams can be flexible or stiff, depending on the underlying polymer. Flexible low-density foams are utilized as sound and heat barriers, shock absorbers, and flotation devices. Rigid low-density foams are utilized in sanitary plumbing, conduit, pipe, and millwork.

Polyolefins are suitable for producing low-density extruded foams using physical or chemical foaming agents because they may achieve very low-density, durable foams while being easily cross-linked. Extruded foam is commonly made from polyolefins such as LDPE, EVA, POE, and OBC.

GLOBAL POLYOLEFIN FOAM MARKET DRIVERS:

• Polyolefin foam, including PE and PP, is considered an important material in automotive applications because of its lightweight, high strength, and excellent insulating performance. As automobile manufacturing progresses, the need for these materials rises for their use in things like - interior finishes, thermal as well as acoustic barriers, gaskets, and sound barriers.

Thus, following this, in 2021, German manufacturers produced automobiles over 15. 6 million units as per the GTAI (Germany Trade & Invest). More than 3.1 million passenger cars and 3,51,000 units come from commercial automobiles assembled in Germany's manufacturing industries in 2021 to show that Germany is the largest automotive manufacturing industry in Europe. Likewise, according to the India Brand Equity Fund, in April 2024, the total output of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles was 23,58,041. While in fiscal year 24, the total output of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles was 2,84,34,742 units.

This further increases the demand for polyolefin foams when it comes to automotive manufacture; and also boosts the development and research of new manufacturing processes of foam products that meet the challenges that car manufacturers face. One example is ToraSoft foams, which have a soft, luxurious feel, precise edges, excellent rebound, lightweight, superior molding capabilities, and excellent production efficiencies. This makes them the ideal choice for vehicle manufacturers looking for a durable, elegant, cost-effective finished product to maintain a brand's value and secure customers' perceptions of quality. Toray's unique foaming method, which involves floating materials in a molten salt solution, improves expansion control. It results in better thickness and density uniformity than foamed olefin sheets from other producers. ToraSoft foams are lightweight, which helps manufacturers decrease vehicle weight.

• Technological developments and product innovation have transformed the polyolefin foam industry, improving performance and broadening the uses of these materials. Advanced manufacturing processes have permitted the creation of polyolefin foams with superior features such as increased strength, durability, thermal and acoustic insulation, and resistance to chemicals and moisture. They have significantly increased the versatility of LPFRs and broadened the areas of use in the automotive, packaging, construction, and electrical industries, among others.

For instance, Softlon is a physically crosslinked closed-cell polyolefin foam; it is light in weight, a renewable resource composite, and impressively versatile. The fine, closed-cell product available in rolls or sheets has two plain surfaces; therefore, it is easy to build. Sekisui used a polyethylene/butadiene blend as Softlon which was launched in 1965. For the first time in the world, the company developed cross-linked polyolefin foam by irradiation cross-linking method.

SABIC pioneered polystyrene foam in the MEA area, which is used in the construction of cavity walls and concrete floors because of its low heat conductivity. The k-value (lambda value) ranges from 0.030 to 0.035 W/m*K. Furthermore, specific additives can enhance fire resistance and improve structural performance.

In addition, XLPE is chemically crosslinked. Polyolefin foam is a fine closed-cell foam with smooth skin on both sides. It is light in weight, flexible, and soft to the touch, with robust and sturdy physical qualities that are resistant to moisture, chemicals, and severe temperatures. It often provides higher thermal stability and insulating qualities, as well as increased dimensional uniformity and stability over various production processes and end-use circumstances. It is simple to work with fabrication and thermoforming. As a result of their lower permeability to moisture and their higher buoyancy, the foam that is created from XLPE has become a popular feature in building and construction industries where issues such as heat, sound, and vibration control play a major role.

Therefore, technical advancements and new product development progress constantly in the polyolefin foam market to meet the increasing demand worldwide for lightweight, sustainable, and high-performing materials.

GLOBAL POLYOLEFIN FOAM MARKET SEGMENT ANALYSIS:

• Based on the end-user industry, the construction sector is one of the fastest-growing segments.

Polyolefin foam is very light, has high endurance, and acts as an insulator and that is why it is used in most construction industries. They are used in roofing, wall, and floor insulation to enhance energy capability, translating to efficient heat transfer and less heating and air conditioning. Therefore, the polyolefin foam market is anticipated to grow due to an increasing demand for constructing new buildings worldwide. US Census Bureau with the US Department of Housing and Urban New residential construction data gave permit data for April 2024, which stated a total permit of 14,40,000 and completions of 16,23,000.

According to the figures from the Canadian Construction Association, the construction sector of the nation contributes approximately USD 151 billion to its economy every year. This stands at roughly 7.4% of Canada's gross domestic product. With increased urbanization and severe energy efficiency standards worldwide, polyolefin foams are positioned to play an important role in sustainable building practices, driving their continuous use and development in the construction sector.

• Asia Pacific's polyolefin foam market is anticipated to grow significantly.

Several major factors drive the Asia-Pacific polyolefin foam market. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in nations such as China, India, and Southeast Asia have increased construction activity, resulting in high demand for polyolefin foam in insulation, roofing, and infrastructure applications. Furthermore, the growing automobile sector in the region has increased the usage of polyolefin foams for lightweight components and noise-reduction applications.

The manufacturing of automobiles within the domestic market is expected to be over 35 million automobiles in 2025 in China. Alongside this, under the NIP, India has a $1.4 trillion infrastructure investment budget, with 24% allocated to renewable energy, 18% to roads and highways, 17% to urban infrastructure, and 12% to railroads.

The region's growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability in construction practices promotes the use of polyolefin foams, which provide better thermal insulation and help to reduce carbon footprints. In 2023, India's electronics sector was estimated at $155 billion, with local manufacturers accounting for 65%, as stated by Invest India. Moreover, according to the data of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the retail sales of China's consumer electronics were at US$305 billion in 2023, with a 4% growth rate. In 2024, the rate rose to 5%. Furthermore, continuous technical developments and investments in manufacturing capacities improve the quality and competitiveness of polyolefin foam products in the Asia Pacific market, propelling it forward.

Global Polyolefin Foam Market Key Developments:

• In June 2023, Solvay, a global leader in polymer and composite materials, struck a long-term supply deal with Zotefoams, the world's leading maker of lightweight cross-linked polyolefin block foams and a specialist in novel technical foams, for Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Solef is being utilized to manufacture Zotefoams' ZOTEK F high-performance closed-cell crosslinked aerospace foam line.
• In March 2022, Kaneka Foam Plastics Co., Ltd., an affiliate company of Kaneka Corporation, revised the sales prices of expanded polyolefin foam (product name: "Eperan-PP(TM), Eperan-XL(TM), and Eperan-AXL(TM)"). For shipment on or after April 1, 2022, existing pricing was increased by 15%.

The global polyolefin foam market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By Foam Type

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

By End-User Industry

• Automotive
• Construction
• Electronics
• Packaging
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Rest of the Middle East and Africa
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific