SBC and its Derivatives Market Overview
Major factor being witnessed in the global SBC and its derivatives market is rising investment for innovation and technological advancements in product and process technologies. SBC and its derivatives are used in a wide range of applications in industrial and commercial sectors, due to their physical and chemical properties such as low drug absorption, biodegradability, optical clarity, toughness, and process stability.
SBC and its derivatives are the largest consumed member of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) family. These are used for a variety of applications, which require high performance polymers. This is due to their properties, which are very similar to that of rubber such as excellent surface friction coefficient, low permanent deformation, great tensile strength, excellent low-temperature behavior, and good electric property. SBCs consumption is increasing due to their cost-effective nature, comparative to other TPEs. The SBC and its derivatives market is segmented on the basis of product, application, industry, and geography.
On the basis of product, the SBC and its derivatives market is classified into styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), styrene isoprene styrene (SIS), styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), styrene ethylene propylene styrene (SEPS), and hydrogenated styrene block copolymer (HSBC). The SBS category holds a significant share in the market, due to its wide use in high-performance applications such as polymer modification, asphalt or bitumen modification, vulcanized compounding, and adhesives and sealants. This copolymer displays significant benefits in adhesive formulation, since it works efficiently at processing temperatures and acts like elastic rubber under standard application conditions. Whereas, the HSBC is the second largest category in the market, as this permits the use of more stable hydrogenated formulating ingredients, providing systems of high stability, and transparency.
Based on application, the SBC and its derivatives market is classified into paving and roofing, polymer modification, adhesives and sealants, and advanced materials. Among these, paving and roofing category holds a significant share in the market, due to SBCs’ ability to modify bitumen and cost-effectiveness nature. The demand for SBCs in advanced materials is expected to witness a promising growth during forecast period, due to their usage in various industries such as automotive, food and beverages, and electrical and electronics.
On the basis of industry, the SBC and its derivatives market is categorized into building and construction, footwear, polymer, packaging, and healthcare. Building and construction is expected to hold a significant share in the market, owing to rising usage of SBCs in paving and roofing in the construction industry. The demand for SBCs in the healthcare category is expected to witness a promising growth due to rising demand for medical equipment, devices, and materials with high waterproofing capabilities to reduce the risk of contamination.
Based on region, the SBC and its derivatives market is categorized into North America, Europe, Latin America (LATAM), Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America held the largest market share in the historical period, owing to application scope in medical devices along with approval for its usage from regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the APAC market is expected to witness a promising growth during forecast period, owing to increasing demand from industries such as building and construction, and healthcare. Rapid expansion in the construction sector influenced by growing desire for affordable housing and governments’ schemes providing basic amenities are encouraging the growth of the market in the APAC region.
SBC and its Derivatives Market Dynamics
Drivers
Rapid growth in the SBC and its derivatives market is driven by the growth in major industries such as building and construction, footwear, and healthcare. Growth of these industries in emerging economies of APAC and LATAM is positively driving the growth of the market. Meanwhile, developed economies of North America and Europe are about to reach saturation and expected to grow at a relatively sluggish rate over the forecast period.
Moreover, regulations for numerous applications such as polymer modification and advanced materials are also driving the market growth, in order to ensure customer health and safety. Increasing environmental concerns and stringent regulations implemented by several governments for the reduction of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) are positively affecting the growth of the SBC and its derivatives market. These regulations are promoting the use of these and other thermoplastic materials for commercial applications, in order to follow guidelines for the products usage.
Restraints
Introduction of olefin block copolymers (OBCs) in the market acts as a restraint for the SBC and its derivatives market, where OBCs offers comparatively high potential for performance improvements per kilogram in the environmental impact areas of energy use, greenhouse gas generation, acidification, photochemical oxidation, and water use. Potential users of SBC and its derivatives, who are looking for sustainability profiles of their products may switch to OBCs.
SBC and its Derivatives Market Competitive Landscape
Some of the major companies operating in the global SBC and its derivatives market include Asahi Kasei Group, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, BASF SE, CNPC, Eni S.p.A., Dynasol Group, LCY CHEMICAL CORP., Kraton Corporation, PolyOne Corporation, LG Chem., Taiwan Synthetic Rubber Corp., and SINOPEC.
The study provides the historical as well the forecast market size data for various countries, including the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
