Plastics comprise of a wide range of synthetic and semi-synthetic materials, which are strong, moldable and lightweight in nature. Over the last couple of decades, plastics have emerged as an inseparable part of humankind, finding its application in every fathomable part of daily life. Plastics enhance comfort, convenience, and safety of products. They are modified to suit the requirement and find application used in houses such as carpets, blankets, and pillows for improved comfort; in bottles and coolers for portable means to carry food and drinks. They are also used in several electronic devices to enable Internet access and communication, and in sports and safety equipment. Improved standard of living and growing environmental awareness and sustainable development thinking among the populace are driving demand for new and innovative material plastics. Plastics that are mainly used in high temperature and high pressure applications are known as high performance plastics. These plastics show excellent performance and effectiveness on exposure to highly reactive chemicals. High performance plastics exhibit properties of high resistance to chemicals and electricity, low coefficient of friction, superior performance at high temperature, and high strength, thus considered highly superior to standard or engineering plastics. These plastics are priced premium and are usually used in very small quantities.

Fluoropolymers, high performance polyamides, sulfone polymers, liquid crystal polymers, polyketones, and polyimides are among the most commonly used high performance plastics. These materials are used in various end-use industries such as transportation, medical, and electrical & electronics.

High Performance Plastics Market Taxonomy

On the basis of form type, the global market is segmented into:
- Amorphous Polymers
- Semi-Crystalline Polymers
On the basis of product type, the global market is segmented into:
- Fluoropolymers (FPS)
  - Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
  - Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
  - Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
  - Fluoroelastomers
    - Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVF)
    - Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
    - Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE)
    - Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)
  - Other Fluoropolymers
- High Performance Polyamides
  - Polyamide 11
  - Polyamide 12
  - Polyamide 9T
  - Polyamide 46
  - Polyamide MXD6
  - Polyphthalamide
  - Polyacrylamide
- Sulfone Polymers
  - Polyphenylene Sulfide
  - Polysulfone
  - Polyethersulfone
  - Polyphenylsulfone
- Liquid Crystal Polymers
- Polyketones
  - Aromatic Ketone Polymers
  - Polyether Ether Ketone
  - Polyether Ketone
  - Polyether Ketone Ketone
- Polyimides
  - Polyether-Imide
  - Polyamide-Imide
  - Polyester-Imide
On the basis of application, the global market is segmented into:
- Transportation
  - Automotive
  - Aviation
- Medical
  - Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology
  - Surgical Equipment
  - Diagnostic
  - Therapeutic System
  - Dental
- Industrial
  - Oil & Gas
  - Power Generation
  - Water Treatment
- Electrical & Electronics
  - Telecommunication
  - Semiconductors
  - Electronic Components
  - Display
  - Defense Electronics
- Others
  - Defense
  - Building & Construction

Superior mechanical properties, high heat stability, and superior chemical resistance of high performance plastics have resulted in their use in the manufacturing of various exterior and interior components of aircraft and automobiles. Growing population and urbanization over the recent years, has led to an increasing demand for transportation, thus fueling growth of the automotive and aviation industries. This being the case, the transportation segment has emerged as the largest end-use segment in the global high performance plastics market. Polyketones exhibit desirable mechanical and thermo-physical properties unique to any other polymer such as high tensile and impact strength, exceptionally high abrasion resistance with minimal wear and tear and very good tribological properties. Owing to these exceptional properties, polyketones are suitable for manufacturing various products such as induction systems, fuel systems, coolant systems, powertrain, engine components, brake systems, shaft seals, pumps & valves, shaft seals, surgical equipment, sockets, biotechnology, and transmission components. Polyketones is thus, the fastest-growing product type.

High Performance Plastics Market Outlook – Asia-Pacific is the largest, and fastest-growing region, globally

Asia-Pacific is the largest, and fastest-growing region in the global high performance plastics market, due to rampant growth in the electrical & electronics industries in countries such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea, which are among the largest manufacturers of electrical & electronics components. The key factors such as growing manufacturing plants of key major players in the region, high economic growth, cheap labor, and increasing FDI in emerging economies such as India and China, are fueling growth of the high performance plastics market in the region. The growing end-use applications of high performance plastics in automotive, aviation, and medical industries, also provide great scope to the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

High manufacturing costs lead to the exorbitant prices of these plastics, in turn, inhibiting market growth. Some of the major companies operating in the global high performance plastics market are BASF SE, Daikin Industries, Ltd., Celanese Corporation, Solvay S.A., Arkema SA, Evonik Industries AG, Kuraray Co., Ltd., E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company, SABIC, and Victrex Plc.

Key Developments

Major companies in the market are focused on various growth strategies such as capacity expansion, in order to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in April 2018, BASF SE, a Germany-based chemicals company, started a new production line for its high-temperature resistant thermoplastic ‘Ultrason’ in Yeosu, South Korea. This new production line will add 6 kiloton per annum to BASF’s polyarylsulfone production capacity and will serve Asia Pacific market.
Key players in the market are adopting various business strategies such as partnership, collaboration, and agreement, in order to enhance their market presence. For instance, in May 2019, Solvay SA, a specialty chemicals company, and Stratasys entered into partnership to develop high performance filaments for Stratasys’s FDM F900 3D Printers.
Major companies in the market are involved in various growth strategies such as marketing and advertising, in order to gain competitive edge in the global market. For instance, in October 2017, Kuraray, a manufacturer of chemicals and plastics, presented new Septon Bio, Eval EVOH, Mowiflex, Hybrar, and, Genestar PA9T, which are high performance plastics at 25^th Fukuma Trade Show.

About Author

Pankaj Poddar is a seasoned market research consultant with over 12 years of extensive experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and plastics material industries. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing from Nirma University, one of India’s reputed institutions, which has equipped him with a solid foundation in strategic marketing and consumer behavior.

As a Senior Consultant at CMI for the past three years, he has been instrumental in harnessing his comprehensive understanding of market dynamics to provide our clients with actionable insights and strategic guidance. Throughout his career, He has developed a robust expertise in several key areas, including market estimation, competitive analysis, and the identification of emerging industry trends. His approach is grounded in a commitment to understanding client needs thoroughly and fostering collaborative relationships. His dedication to excellence and innovation solidifies his role as a trusted advisor in the ever-evolving landscape of not only FMCG but also chemicals and materials markets.