Polyurethane Composites Market size was over USD 631.2 Million in 2023 and is set to cross USD 1.34 Billion by the end of 2036, growing at more than 6.6% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2024-2036. In the year 2024, the industry size of polyurethane composites is estimated at USD 676 Million. The growth of the market can be attributed to the growing automotive industry across the globe. Further, the rising manufacturing of electric cars is also expected to add to the market growth. Moreover, the expanding automotive industry might raise demand for lightweight materials, which would therefore increase demand for polyurethane composites. As per estimates, the market share of electric vehicle sales in the US increased by more than 4% in 2021.
In addition to these, factors that are believed to fuel the market growth of polyurethane composites include the rising demand in the aerospace industry. For instance, there is a need for lightweight materials in sectors such as aerospace, owing to their significant contribution to weight reduction. Further, aerospace companies employ polyurethane foam (PU foam) in the seats of most passenger airplanes, to insulate the walls, ceilings, and luggage compartments, and also as separators between lavatories and class segments of airplanes. Additionally, the surging demand for fuel-efficient aircraft is predicted to present the potential for market expansion over the projected period.
Growth Drivers
Rising Construction and Building Sector – On account of the growing urbanization, the market is expected to expand more in the upcoming years. As of 2021, the US engineering and construction sector had significant growth of over 5% in construction spending.
Increasing Usage of Waste Products – The amount of garbage produced has increased owing to the growing population across the globe is estimated to drive market growth. Further, the waste produced by polyurethane composites can be utilized as flakes, powders, and pellets. According to statistics, by 2050, there will be over 3 billion tonnes of trash generated worldwide.
Surging Demand for Electrical Appliances – The rising sales of home appliances owing to the movement in working culture towards work from home is expected to expand the market more in the upcoming years. According to the most recent expenditure data, in 2020, more than 500 million household appliances were sold in the United States.
Growing Number of Surgical Procedures – It is expected that the rising prevalence of chronic wounds across the globe is anticipated to drive market growth. The majority of bandages for wounds are composite structures. Further, a coating that is impervious to liquids and microorganisms is created using polyurethane wound-dressing films. Every year, over 300 million major surgical procedures are carried out globally.
Challenges
Base Year |
2023 |
Forecast Year |
2024-2036 |
CAGR |
6.6% |
Base Year Market Size (2023) |
USD 631.2 Million |
Forecast Year Market Size (2036) |
USD 1.34 Billion |
Regional Scope |
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End-user (Transportation, Electrical & Electronics, Construction, Wind Energy)
The global polyurethane composites market is segmented and analyzed for demand and supply by end-use industry into transportation, electrical & electronics, construction, wind energy, and others. Out of the five end users, transportation is estimated to gain the largest market share over the projected time frame. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the growing demand for automobiles across the globe. Composites made of polyurethane are often employed in the transportation sector, which in turn will increase its demand in the segment. For instance, they are utilized in vehicles and trucks as fillers in car seats, steering wheel horn pads, and other places. In addition, airports, motorways, and high-speed railroads are all benefited from the maintenance and strengthening provided by polyurethane grouting technology. As per recent estimates, sales of passenger vehicles in India, are anticipated to increase by over 9% in 2024.
Manufacturing Process (Lay-Up, Pultrusion, Resin Transfer Molding)
The global polyurethane composites market is also segmented and analyzed for demand and supply by manufacturing process into lay-up, pultrusion, and resin transfer molding. Amongst these three segments, the lay-up segment is expected to garner a significant share. The growth can be attributed to the ease of processing and low cost of this manufacturing process. The simplest and oldest manufacturing different technique for creating composites is lay-up. For instance, wet lay-up vacuum bagging is a simple, adaptable approach that doesn't call for specialized equipment. Further, this method uses a single-sided mold to soak each layer of fiber reinforcement with liquid resin. This, as a result, is anticipated to create numerous opportunities for the growth of the segment in the coming years.
Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments:
By Type |
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By Product |
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By End Use Industry |
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APAC Market Statistics
The Asian Pacific polyurethane composites market, amongst the market in all the other regions, is projected to hold the largest market share by the end of 2036. The growth of the market can be attributed majorly to the increasing infrastructure sector in the region. For instance, the growing construction projects in different sectors, such as social infrastructure, and transportation infrastructure, are also anticipated to boost market growth during the forecast period. Further, in applications for civil infrastructure and construction materials, composite materials are being employed more and more. For temporary housing applications, composite structural insulation panels are designed and produced utilizing vacuum-aided resin transfer molding and low-density polyurethane foam. Owing to the advantages of inherent design flexibility, using these types of composite panels in building construction will result in affordable, high-performance products. The use of core-filled composite structures has significant advantages over traditional panels, including stronger buckling resistance, higher strength, stiffness, and reduced structural weight. In addition, applications for glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites in infrastructure seem promising which in turn will contribute to the market growth in the region. In the coming ten years, the Asia Pacific infrastructure industry is anticipated to rise by more than 5% annually.
North American Market Forecast
The North American polyurethane composites market, amongst the market in all the other regions, is projected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the market can be attributed majorly to the increased use of polyurethane composites in the aerospace sector. For instance, manufacturers of aerospace products are implementing a common technique termed "lightweight" to lower the cost of fuel and increase fuel efficiency. Owing to their great strength, honeycomb panels constructed of composites and paper mixes are frequently a preferred option for lightweighting. Further, metal and plastic ornamental objects in airplane cabins are frequently replaced with polyurethane foam, all these factors are anticipated to contribute to the increase in demand for polyurethane composites in the region.
Europe Market Forecast
Further, the market in Europe, amongst the market in all the other regions, is projected to hold a majority of the share by the end of 2036. The growth of the market can be attributed majorly to the growing production of vehicles. The production of large internal body parts of vehicles will drive the demand for polyurethane composites in the region. For instance, Germany uses thermoplastic composites as a protective coating in vehicles, which is also anticipated to contribute to the market growth in the region.
Covestro AG teamed up with Coleitec to speed up the development of applications for polyurethane (PU) composite materials. Moreover, this strategic alliance will help in promoting both the energy and automotive industries.
Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. collaborated with 3Trees, to introduce waterborne polyurethane waterproof coatings. These coatings will provide several benefits, such as low VOC content, high environmental friendliness, and excellent mechanical performance to the waterproof industry, and other industries.
Author Credits: Rajrani Baghel
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