PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1713450
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1713450
Polystyrene is a synthetic thermoplastic material created through the polymerization of styrene. It is employed in the fabrication of molded products, foam materials, and sheet materials. Polystyrene exhibits the ability to be melted at higher temperatures for molding or extrusion purposes and subsequently re-solidified, making it a versatile solid thermoplastic.
The primary product categories of polystyrene include expandable polystyrene (EPS), general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and extruded polystyrene (XPS). Extruded polystyrene is produced through an extrusion process that involves the melting of plastic resin and other additives. Polystyrene's applications encompass HVAC insulation, rigid packaging, seating materials, and flexible packaging. It serves various end-use industries, including the automotive industry, electronics, thermal insulation, pharmaceuticals, the consumer sector, packaging, and the construction industry.
The polystyrene market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides polystyrene market statistics, including polystyrene industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a polystyrene market share, detailed polystyrene market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the polystyrene industry. This polystyrene 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 polystyrene-plastic material and resins market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $52.81 billion in 2024 to $60.72 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to packaging industry, construction and insulation, consumer goods and electronics, food service industry.
The polystyrene-plastic material and resins market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $98.4 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability and recycling, circular economy initiatives, construction and infrastructure development, consumer goods and electronics innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include.
The demand for packaged products has been rising, particularly in emerging economies like China and India, due to the growth of the middle class. As these economies experience an increase in per-capita income, there is a notable shift in consumer behavior, with more processed foods, poultry, meat, and agricultural products being consumed. For example, in May 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), global GDP growth is projected to remain steady at 3.1% in 2024, consistent with 2023, and slightly rise to 3.2% in 2025. In China, the Gross Domestic Product per capita is $10,430.73, reflecting this upward economic trend. The rising disposable incomes and changing consumption patterns in these countries have led to higher demand for packaged goods, further boosting the consumption of materials like polystyrene for packaging. This, in turn, is driving the growth of the polystyrene market.
The growing demand for medical devices is expected to drive the expansion of the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market in the future. Medical devices include instruments, apparatuses, machines, implants, software, materials, and other related items designed for use in medical applications to diagnose, monitor, prevent, treat, or alleviate disease, injury, or disability. Polystyrene-plastic material and resins are crucial in medical devices due to their exceptional durability, chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and ease of sterilization, making them ideal for producing various essential healthcare products such as syringes, catheters, diagnostic components, and packaging solutions that ensure safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in medical applications. For example, in 2024, the World Health Organization, a Switzerland-based government body, reported that there are approximately 2 million different types of medical devices available globally, classified into over 7,000 generic device groups. As a result, the growing demand for medical devices is driving the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market.
Developing countries are increasingly adopting Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in the construction and packaging sectors. EPS provides structural integrity and insulation properties essential for construction projects. Its closed-air structure, low thermal conductivity, resistance to water absorption, light weight, mechanical strength, and sound insulation properties make it an ideal choice in the construction industry. EPS offers favorable weight and volume characteristics compared to other construction materials, simplifying construction processes.
Key players in the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market are engaging in strategic partnerships to enhance their market competitiveness. For example, in February 2022, UBQ Materials, an Israeli cleantech company, partnered with Resirene to create the world's first Polystyrene. This collaboration allows UBQ Materials to enhance its sustainability efforts by incorporating climate-friendly thermoplastics into Resirene's polystyrene products. Resirene is a chemical plant based in Mexico, specializing in the production of polystyrene-plastic materials and resins.
In May 2024, Dow Inc., a US-based chemical company, partnered with SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited to establish a circularity partnership in the Asia Pacific region. This collaboration aims to transform 200 KTA (kilotons per annum) of plastic waste into circular products. The initiative will focus on advancing both mechanical and advanced recycling technologies, starting with efforts in Thailand to develop a strong material ecosystem for enhanced plastic waste management. SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited, based in Thailand, is known for its production of polystyrene, plastic materials, and resins. The partnership represents a significant step toward improving sustainability and reducing plastic waste in the region.
Major companies operating in the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market include A.Schulman Inc., ACH Foam Technologies Inc., Alpek SAB de CV, Americas Styrenics LLC, Atlas Roofing Corporation, Austrotherm GmbH, BASF SE, BEWiSynbra Group AB, CHIMEI Corporation, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Flint Hills Resources LLC, Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation, Formosa Plastic Corporation, HIRSCH Servo AG, INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH, Kaneka Corporation, Knauf Gips KG, Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd., LG Chem Ltd., Loyal Group, NexKemia Petrochemicals Inc., NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Owens Corning Inc., Penoplex SPB LLC, Ravago SA, Saudi Arabia's Basic Industries Corporation, Saint-Gobain Isover SA, RTP Company Inc., Colour Image Plastic Compound Sdn Bhd, Cossa Polimeri S.r.L., CRP Technology, Denka Company Limited
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polystyrene market in 2024. North America was the second-largest region in the global polystyrene market. The regions covered in the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.
The countries covered in the polystyrene-plastic material and resins market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.
The polystyrene market consists of the sales of regular polystyrene plastic, polystyrene foam, and polystyrene film. 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.
Polystyrene-Plastic Material And Resins 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 polystyrene-plastic material and resins 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 polystyrene-plastic material and resins ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The polystyrene-plastic material and resins 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.