Polycarbonate Sheets Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising Demand for Recycled & Biodegradable Plastics - As polycarbonate is fully recyclable and based on advanced recycling, besides providing an excellent yield for plastic recycling facilities, the demand for it is anticipated to increase in the upcoming years.
• Expanding Automotive and Transportation Industry - Modified polycarbonate is widely being used for exterior and interior parts in automobiles owing to its high mechanical properties and good appearance which is expected to boost its demand in the automotive sector.

In 2022, the global market for Automotive Manufacturing was estimated to be worth over USD 2 trillion.

• Rising Aerospace Sector - Polycarbonate and acrylic are common materials found in aircraft windows and cockpit canopies as they are capable of surviving dramatic climatic changes and exceptional resilience to harsh conditions. Moreover, polycarbonate is used in the aerospace and defense industries owing to its excellent transparency, softness, and ductility even at thick ranges. Polycarbonate sheets offer remarkable clarity, impact resilience, and lightweight nature, therefore it is commonly employed in the manufacture of airplane windows given that aircraft are frequently exposed to severe temperatures.

In 2023, worldwide commercial aerospace revenues are predicted to increase by 14% year on year.

• Growing Trend of Do it Yourself (DIY) Projects- Polycarbonate plastic sheets can be used for various crafts and hobbies, such as laser engraved signage, hobby display cases, art protectors, photo frames, temporary outdoor signs, or as school project backgrounds as they are available in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and cellular structures.
• Rising Application in Outdoor Recreational Projects- Polycarbonate sheet roofing is an excellent choice for a variety of exterior projects such as garages, sheds, greenhouses, sunporches, carports, pergolas, or covered patios as it helps lessen sun glare while also reducing sunlight, and is a robust thermoplastic material that is lightweight and can tolerate extremely low and high temperatures.
• Increasing Adoption of Solar Panels- Polycarbonate solar sheets are one of the most popular solar panels as they are used to harness the sun's energy because they can collect sunlight, convert it into heat energy, and release that heat on overcast days.

Solar PV contributed over 4% of worldwide electricity generation in 2021.

Challenges

• Concern about Adverse Effects on the Environment and Health - Raw materials utilized in the manufacturing of polycarbonate sheets primarily involve bisphenol A (BPA) phosgene and other petroleum-based products. These chemicals are considered toxic to the environment and human health. As per findings, long-term exposure to BPA has possible health effects on the brains of fetuses, infants, and children, and its widespread use is possibly linked with increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, plastic pollution is a global threat to aquatic animals and other species of the ecosystem. Hence, these factors are majorly anticipated to hamper the market growth. 
• Fluctuating prices of raw materials Affects the Pricing of Polycarbonate Sheets
• Stringent Government Regulatory Policies Regarding the Use of Bisphenol A (BPA)