Polypropylene Market Size to Reach USD 193.7 Billion by 2033 – Rise with Steller CAGR 5.3%

Introduction

The global Polypropylene Market is poised for substantial growth, with its value expected to reach approximately USD 193.7 billion by 2033, up from USD 115.6 billion in 2023. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. Several factors are driving this expansion, including increasing demand from key sectors such as automotive, packaging, and construction. Polypropylene’s versatility, cost-effectiveness, and lightweight properties make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts and consumer goods to medical supplies and food packaging.

However, the market faces challenges such as fluctuations in raw material prices and environmental concerns related to plastic waste. Efforts to address these issues include the development of more sustainable production processes and the rise of recycling initiatives aimed at improving polypropylene’s environmental footprint.

Borealis AG is a prominent player in the polypropylene sector, known for its innovative solutions and high-quality products. The company focuses on producing advanced polypropylene materials used in various applications, including automotive parts, packaging, and consumer goods. Borealis emphasizes sustainability and efficiency in its operations, aiming to reduce environmental impact while meeting growing market demands. Recent developments include the introduction of new polypropylene grades that offer enhanced performance and durability.

Braskem is a leading global polypropylene producer, specializing in a diverse range of high-performance polypropylene resins. The company’s products cater to various industries, including automotive, packaging, and healthcare. Braskem is committed to innovation and sustainability, working on improving material efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The company has recently expanded its production capacity and introduced new polypropylene solutions designed to meet evolving market needs.

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Key takeaways

• Expected to reach USD 193.7 billion by 2033, growing at a 5.3% CAGR from USD 115.6 billion in 2023.
• Injection Moulding holds a 41.5% market share in 2023, favored for producing precise shapes essential for automotive parts.
• Homopolymers dominated with over 68.5% share in 2023, prized for strength and high-temperature resistance.
• Packaging holds a 36.7% market share in 2023, benefiting from polypropylene’s moisture barrier properties.
• Asia Pacific region emerges as a dominant force in the polypropylene market, boasting a substantial market share of 48.5%.

Statistics

• The density of PP is between 0.895 and 0.92 g/cm³.
• The Young’s modulus of PP is between 1300 and 1800 N/mm².
• Perfectly isotactic PP has a melting point of 171 °C (340 °F). Commercial isotactic PP has a melting point that ranges from 160 to 166 °C (320 to 331 °F), depending on atactic material and crystallinity. Syndiotactic PP with a crystallinity of 30% has a melting point of 130 °C (266 °F). Below 0 °C, PP becomes brittle.
• Isotactic & Atactic polypropylene is soluble in P-xylene at 140 degrees centigrade. Isotactic precipitates when the solution is cooled to 25 degrees centigrade & atactic portion remains soluble in P-xylene.
• Very thin sheets (~2–20 µm) of polypropylene are used as a dielectric within certain high-performance pulse and low-loss RF capacitors.
• It has a melting point range of 160 – 165°C for homopolymer and 135 – 159°C for copolymer.
• In 2018, global polypropylene production was 68.3 million metric tons, with a market size of £52.6 billion. Production increased to 70.5 million metric tons in 2019, and the market size rose to £55.1 billion. By 2020, production had reached 73.7 million metric tons, with a market size of £57.6 billion.
• In 2022, production was 74 million metric tons, and the market size had significantly grown to £136.4 billion. Looking ahead, production is projected to reach 88 million metric tons by 2026 and 104.99 million metric tons by 2030, with the market size expected to be £70.2 billion.
• For instance, the manufacturing process of propylene emits 1.722 kg Oil eq./kg-PP for fossil resource depletion and 0.0042 kg NMVOC/kg-PP for petrochemical oxidant formation.
• The environmental impact of polypropylene per kilogram includes several factors. Its Global Warming Potential is classified as high. For Fossil Resource Depletion, polypropylene has an equivalent of 1.722 kilograms of oil. Human Toxicity is measured at 0.077 kilograms of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4-DB) equivalent. The Acidification potential is 0.0049 kilograms of sulfur dioxide (SO2) equivalent, and the Petrochemical Oxidant Formation is 0.0042 kilograms of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC).
• Recycling polypropylene has significant environmental benefits. For instance, recycling one ton of plastic saves 5,774 kilowatt-hours of energy, 16.3 barrels (685 gallons) of oil, and 30 cubic yards of landfill space.
• In 2023, Türkiye appears to have fallen off the radar. As the world’s second-largest PP buyer, the country was conspicuously absent from China’s export list for that year. Data indicate that China only sold a minimal quantity of 8,000 tons of PP to Türkiye in the past year, a significant decline from 47,000 tons in 2022. Notably, in 2021, Türkiye held the position of China’s fourth-largest PP buyer, acquiring 82,000 tons.
• The chemical anchorage allows us to modify the polypropylene from 10% to 50% of the load, being able to obtain highly competitive materials compared to other product ranges, such as Polyamide 6 with the load.
• polypropylene (PP) waste accounts for 20% of total plastic waste and holds promise for hydrophobic applications in the realm of recycling.
• life cycle assessment revealed that the film production resulted in a 62% lower embodied energy and 34% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin PP pellets sourced from petroleum.

Emerging Trends

Sustainability Initiatives: There is a growing emphasis on developing biodegradable and recyclable polypropylene to address environmental concerns. Companies are investing in research to create eco-friendly alternatives.

Advanced Applications: Polypropylene is being increasingly used in advanced applications such as automotive parts, where its lightweight and durable properties help improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Technological Innovations: New technologies, such as the development of high-performance polypropylene grades, are enhancing the material’s strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat and chemicals.

Circular Economy Practices: More companies are adopting circular economy practices, focusing on the entire lifecycle of polypropylene products from production to recycling, to reduce waste and improve sustainability.

Healthcare Sector Growth: The healthcare sector’s demand for polypropylene is rising due to its use in medical devices, packaging, and personal protective equipment (PPE), driven by the ongoing need for hygiene and safety.

Increased Use in Textiles: Polypropylene is gaining popularity in the textile industry for producing nonwoven fabrics used in face masks, hygiene products, and geotextiles, due to its affordability and versatility.

Rising Demand in Packaging: The packaging industry continues to be a significant driver of polypropylene demand, especially in food packaging, where its barrier properties help preserve product freshness and extend shelf life.

Use cases

Plastic Production: Propylene is primarily used to produce polypropylene, accounting for about 60% of its global consumption. Polypropylene is a versatile plastic used in packaging, textiles, automotive parts, and consumer goods.

Chemical Intermediates: Around 25% of propylene is used to produce other chemicals, such as acrylonitrile, which is essential for making acrylic fibers, and propylene oxide, used in manufacturing polyurethane plastics.

Rubber Manufacturing: Propylene is a key ingredient in producing synthetic rubbers like ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. This rubber is widely used in automotive weather seals, hoses, and roofing membranes.

Solvents: Propylene is used to create various solvents, which are essential in paints, coatings, and cleaning agents. These solvents are crucial for industrial applications due to their effectiveness in dissolving substances.

Fuel: Propylene is also used as a fuel, especially in the form of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is a mixture of propane and propylene. LPG is commonly used for heating, cooking, and as a fuel for certain vehicles.

Oxidation Processes: Propylene is utilized in the production of propylene glycol, a compound used in antifreeze, cosmetics, food additives, and pharmaceuticals. The production of propylene glycol consumes about 6% of global propylene output.

Polyurethane Foams: Propylene is essential in the production of polyurethane foams, which are used extensively in furniture, bedding, automotive interiors, and insulation materials. This application highlights propylene’s importance in comfort and energy efficiency.

Key players

Borealis AG is a prominent player in the polypropylene sector, known for its innovative solutions and high-quality products. The company focuses on producing advanced polypropylene materials used in various applications, including automotive parts, packaging, and consumer goods. Borealis emphasizes sustainability and efficiency in its operations, aiming to reduce environmental impact while meeting growing market demands. Recent developments include the introduction of new polypropylene grades that offer enhanced performance and durability.

Braskem is a leading global polypropylene producer, specializing in a diverse range of high-performance polypropylene resins. The company’s products cater to various industries, including automotive, packaging, and healthcare. Braskem is committed to innovation and sustainability, working on improving material efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The company has recently expanded its production capacity and introduced new polypropylene solutions designed to meet evolving market needs.

Chevron Phillips Chemical produces 3 billion lb/yr of polymer-grade propylene at its facilities in Cedar Bayou, Port Arthur and Sweeny, Texas. Propylene is probably the oldest petrochemical feedstock in the gas industry. Propylene, also known as 1-propene, is one of the smallest stable unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules used in the gas industry.

Propylux is a Westlake Plastic family of stock shapes made from polypropylene (PP) resins. This semi-crystalline, opaque off-white thermoplastic offers broad chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, hydrolysis resistance, and toughness. Westlake Chemical Corp. is a significant contributor to the polypropylene market, producing a range of polypropylene products that cater to various industries such as packaging, automotive, and construction. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, continuously improving its production processes to reduce environmental impact. Westlake’s polypropylene offerings are known for their high performance, reliability, and versatility, meeting the diverse needs of its global customer base.

Eastman is moving ahead with plans for an ethylene-to-propylene conversion project that could become operational around 2024-2025,A couple of years ago, the company already reconfigured crackers at its site in Longview, Texas, to include refinery-grade propylene (RGP) in the feedstock slate, enabling it to ramp up polymer-grade propylene (PGP) production while reducing ethylene. The new “E-to-P” project would allow Eastman to remove “the entirety” of its bulk ethylene market exposure, switching to propylene

ExxonMobil is a significant player in the polypropylene sector, leveraging its advanced technology to produce high-quality polypropylene resins. These resins are used in a variety of applications, including automotive components, packaging, and textiles. ExxonMobil focuses on innovation and sustainability, with recent developments aimed at improving the efficiency and environmental footprint of polypropylene production. Their commitment to research and development ensures that they remain at the forefront of the industry.

Reliance Industries is one of the world’s largest producers of polymers with a current capacity of over 5.8 MMT per annum. It operates world-scale plants for Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) using State-of-the-art technology, setting global benchmarks in product quality and services. Reliance offers a wide range of grades for diverse applications across sectors such as packaging, agriculture, automotive, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and consumer durables, and these products are exported to more than 60 countries worldwide.

Sinopec has advanced synthetic resin production technologies. In recent years, the company’s proprietary technologies have been playing an increasingly big role in the company’s petrochemical production. Some of these technologies are among the most advanced worldwide. The products mainly include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS (known as the five major synthetic resin products), polyether, epoxy resin, etc. The company has developed a series of high-value-added specialty resin products. Sinopec is capable of producing over 90% of the polyolefin products available in China’s domestic market.

LyondellBasell Industries is a major player in the polypropylene sector, known for its extensive range of polypropylene products used in various industries such as automotive, packaging, and textiles. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, developing advanced polypropylene grades that offer improved performance and recyclability. LyondellBasell’s global production capacity and commitment to reducing environmental impact make it a significant contributor to the polypropylene market.

SABIC is a leading global manufacturer of polypropylene, providing high-quality resins used in applications ranging from automotive parts and consumer goods to medical supplies and packaging. The company is dedicated to innovation and sustainability, continuously developing new polypropylene solutions to meet industry needs. SABIC’s strong focus on research and development, along with its extensive global reach, positions it as a key player in the polypropylene market.

Bayer Material Science, now known as Covestro, plays a significant role in the polypropylene sector by providing high-performance materials for various industries. The company focuses on innovative solutions that enhance the durability and functionality of polypropylene products, catering to automotive, construction, and electronics applications. Covestro’s advancements in polypropylene include improved impact resistance and thermal stability, meeting the growing demand for robust and reliable materials.

Fulton is a company that provides packaging and logistic solutions. It offers bulk, mesh. paper, cotton, and sandbags, burlap, polypropylene, geotextiles, and more. It specializes in the production and distribution of polypropylene products, emphasizing high-quality packaging solutions.

INEOS is a key player in the polypropylene sector, focusing on producing high-quality polypropylene resins used in diverse applications such as automotive parts, packaging, and consumer goods. The company emphasizes innovation and sustainability, working on reducing the environmental impact of its products. INEOS has been expanding its production capacities and developing new polypropylene grades that offer improved performance and durability, catering to the evolving demands of various industries.

TotalEnergies SE is a significant contributor to the polypropylene market, providing a wide range of polypropylene products that serve industries like automotive, packaging, and healthcare. The company focuses on enhancing product quality and sustainability by investing in advanced technologies and promoting circular economy practices. TotalEnergies SE is dedicated to developing innovative polypropylene solutions that meet stringent performance standards while addressing environmental concerns.

Washington Penn Plastic Company Inc. specializes in the development and production of custom polypropylene compounds. These compounds are used in various industries, including automotive, consumer goods, and packaging. The company focuses on enhancing the properties of polypropylene to meet specific customer requirements, offering solutions that improve durability, impact resistance, and processing efficiency. Washington Penn is committed to sustainability, working on developing recyclable and eco-friendly polypropylene materials.

PetroChina Company Limited is a significant player in the polypropylene sector, producing a wide range of polypropylene resins used in packaging, textiles, automotive parts, and more. The company leverages advanced technology and large-scale production capabilities to meet the growing demand for high-quality polypropylene. PetroChina focuses on innovation and sustainability, aiming to reduce environmental impact through efficient production processes and the development of eco-friendly polypropylene products.

Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is a key player in the polypropylene sector, producing high-quality polypropylene resins used in various applications, including packaging, textiles, and automotive components. QAPCO emphasizes sustainable practices and innovation, continually improving its production processes to enhance product performance and environmental impact. With a strong focus on expanding its market reach, QAPCO contributes significantly to the global polypropylene supply. Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH) and Polypropylene (PP) Plant – Al Wakrah project From developers and contractors to architects, this report introduces you to the key players with whom you can forge valuable connections and unlock exciting collaboration opportunities.

Japan Polypropylene Corporation (JPP) is a leading producer of polypropylene, offering a diverse range of products tailored for the automotive, packaging, and electrical industries. JPP focuses on developing advanced polypropylene materials that meet high performance and sustainability standards. The company leverages cutting-edge technology and innovation to provide solutions that address the evolving needs of its customers, reinforcing its position in the global polypropylene market. They will develop and launch high-quality, high-performance polypropylene products that meet customer needs promptly and promote the development of environmentally friendly products to achieve carbon neutrality.

Propylene is produced in the BASF Steamcracker by cracking naphtha and is, besides ethylene, one of the most important basic chemicals in the petrochemical industry. For example, propylene is used as raw material for propylene oxide, propylene glycol, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and butyraldehyde. Important characteristics of propylene are: highly flammable, colorless, and mildly scented.

Conclusion

The polypropylene sector is expected to continue growing, with significant investments in technology and sustainability driving future developments. Companies are focusing on expanding production capacities and exploring new applications to meet evolving market needs.

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