PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1670851
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1670851
Polycarbonate, a transparent thermoplastic polymer featuring carbonate functional groups, is renowned for its remarkable strength and impact resistance. Originating from bisphenol A (BPA) and phosgene, it serves as a lightweight and durable alternative to glass, owing to its high clarity and resistance to shattering.
Polycarbonates are available in various forms, including foil, strips, sheets, film, plates, tubes, fibers, and others. The general-purpose grade represents a standard formulation that strikes a balance among properties, offering good impact resistance, transparency, and dimensional stability. This versatility makes it suitable for application in diverse industries. The processing technologies involved encompass injection molding and extrusion. Different grades, such as general-purpose grade, flame retardant grade, PC alloyed grade, medical grade, food grade, among others, find application in various industries such as transportation, electrical and electronics, construction, packaging, consumer goods, optical media, medical devices, and more.
The polycarbonate market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides polycarbonate market statistics, including polycarbonate industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a polycarbonate market share, detailed polycarbonate market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the polycarbonate industry. This polycarbonate market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The polycarbonate market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $24.06 billion in 2024 to $25.39 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to automotive industry growth, consumer electronics boom, environmental regulations, medical device applications, building and construction projects, aerospace industry demand
The polycarbonate market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $32.7 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainable and bio-based polycarbonates, rising demand in electronics, electric vehicle market growth, led lighting applications, expansion of 3d printing applications. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in processing technologies, anti-reflective coatings, electronics miniaturization, smart building integration, lightweighting initiatives in automotive, collaborations for material innovation.
The increasing demand for electric vehicles is anticipated to drive the growth of the polycarbonate market in the future. An electric vehicle (EV) operates on one or more electric motors powered by electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. Polycarbonate is widely used in electric vehicles because of its lightweight nature, high-impact resistance, and optical clarity, which enhance safety, improve energy efficiency, and allow for design flexibility. For example, in April 2024, the International Energy Agency, a France-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, reported that global electric car registrations rose to nearly 14 million in 2023, representing a 35% increase from 2022. This brings the total number of electric vehicles on the road to 40 million, a substantial increase from just 5% market penetration five years ago. Therefore, the growing demand for electric vehicles is fueling the growth of the polycarbonate market.
The global surge in building and construction activities is a significant contributor to the polycarbonate market. Polycarbonate's lightweight, durable, and transparent properties make it an ideal material for various applications in construction, including roofing, skylights, windows, and cladding. Notably, the U.S. construction industry experienced growth, with its size increasing from $1.916 trillion in the first quarter of 2021 to $2.016 trillion in the first quarter of 2022, according to a 2022 report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The ongoing building and construction projects worldwide are anticipated to propel the polycarbonate market further.
Innovation is a key trend shaping the polycarbonate market, with major companies dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions. Essentium Inc., a U.S.-based chemical manufacturing company, introduced Essentium Altitude in May 2023-a groundbreaking polycarbonate material designed to withstand extreme cold temperatures, reaching as low as -60°C. This innovation opens up new possibilities for utilizing 3D printing in outdoor and high-altitude applications across industries such as aerospace, automotive, cold storage, maintenance, and construction. The introduction of Essentium Altitude reflects the market's commitment to advancing materials for diverse and challenging environments.
Leading companies in the polycarbonate market are strategically partnering to address sustainability concerns, particularly in recycling post-industrial used plastics, including polycarbonates. Covestro AG, a Germany-based polycarbonate manufacturer, joined forces with HASCO Vision Technology Co. Ltd., a China-based automotive lighting systems company, in November 2022. This strategic partnership aims to recover used plastics from HASCO's manufacturing sites and transform them into high-quality post-industrial recycled (PIR) polycarbonates and polycarbonate blends. Such collaborations demonstrate the industry's commitment to sustainable practices.
In June 2023, ROHM Co., Ltd., a Germany-based manufacturer of PMMA products, acquired the Functional Forms business unit from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables ROHM to position itself as a global leader in high-quality transparent films and sheets, strengthening its foothold in the polycarbonate sector and enhancing its product range. As a result, ROHM will benefit from improved technical expertise and a wider customer base in rapidly growing markets like automotive and construction. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is a chemical manufacturing company based in Saudi Arabia, involved in the development of polycarbonate sheets and films.
Major companies operating in the polycarbonate market include BASF SE, The Idemitsu Kosan Company Ltd., Saudi Arabia's Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), LG Chem Ltd., Wanhua Chemical Group Co Ltd, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Covestro AG, Lotte Chemical Corporation, Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation, Royal DSM NV, Teijin Limited, Kuraray Co. Ltd., Excelite Plastic Limited, Trinseo S.A., UBE Corporation, Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Chi Mei Corporation, 3A Composites GmbH, Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corporation, RTP Company Inc., Plaskolite LLC, Palram Industries Ltd., King Plastic Corporation, Polyplastics Co. Ltd., Isik Plastik Sanayi Ve Dis Ticaret Pazarlama A.S., Centroplast Engineering Plastics GmbH, Suzhou Omay Optical Materials Co. Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polycarbonate market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the polycarbonate market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the polycarbonate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The polycarbonate market consists of sales of clear polycarbonate, abrasion-resistant polycarbonate, mirrored polycarbonate, anti-static polycarbonate, and more. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Polycarbonate Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on polycarbonate market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for polycarbonate ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The polycarbonate market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.