Chemical and Power Industry Trends

What Are Applications of Fluoropolymers in Electrical & Electronics Industry?

Fluoropolymers are fluorocarbon-based polymers having solid bonds of carbon and fluorine. These polymers are either homopolymers or copolymers, and they have thermoplastic properties as they contain a semi-crystalline structure. This means that these polymers become viscous or liquid at specific temperatures, after which they can be molded and shaped according to need. Fluoropolymers also exhibit strong resistance to acids, bases, and solvents. As fluorine provides better stability than chlorine, fluoropolymers are impervious to conventional media.

Owing to all such advantages, they are widely used in the automotive and electrical and electronics sectors, which will aid the fluoropolymer materials market in advancing at a 5.1% CAGR during forecast period. According to P&S Intelligence, the market size was 336.9 kilotons in 2015. The electrical and electronics industry uses these materials, primarily polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to coat and insulate electronic cables, data communication cables, and automotive cables and in jacketing and semiconductor fabrication.

Similarly, the automotive sector uses the thermoplastic and elastomer forms of fluoropolymers in the production of seals, O-rings, wire insulations, fuel tank filler necks, diaphragms, and vapor and fuel management hoses. Apart from this, the photovoltaic (PV) industry utilizes fluoropolymer materials in large quantities owing to their moisture resistance, photostability, chemical and environmental resistance, flexibility, durability, and electrical isolation. Essentially, the increasing installation of solar power plants owing to the advancements in technology, stringent government regulations, and rapid shift toward non-conventional energy will fuel the requirement for these polymers in the coming years.

The APAC fluoropolymer materials market is also set to witness the fastest growth in the foreseeable future, which can be primarily ascribed to the rapid industrialization in the region. Moreover, the expansion of the automotive, construction, and electrical and electronics industries will fuel the adoption of fluoropolymer materials in the coming years. Besides, the rapid infrastructure development, high living standards, and high purchasing power of people have led to the large-scale consumption of these materials.

Thus, the strong resistance offered by fluoropolymer materials against bases, acids, solvents, weather, and heat has led to their wide adoption in the electrical and electronics, PV, automotive, aerospace, and chemical and industrial processing sectors.

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Why will Sales of Automotive Elastomers Soar in North America and Europe in Future?

One of the major factors driving the worldwide demand for automotive elastomers is the implementation of stringent environmental regulations in several countries for mitigating CO2 emissions. Moreover, many international organizations are increasingly enacting strict guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, many organizations in Europe and North America are enacting policies that mandate the production and incorporation of lightweight materials in automobiles in order to mitigate CO2 emissions and achieve the preset emission targets by 2025.

Similar policies have been enacted by the governments of various countries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. China, which is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the region, intends to introduce policies for controlling its emission levels. Other countries in the region such as India, Indonesia, and Australia, are also enacting regulations for reducing the effects of climate change by mitigating the generation of carbon emissions. The enactment of these policies is creating lucrative growth opportunities for the players operating in the automotive elastomers market.

Likewise, the permissible combined fuel economy for trucks and cars for 2016 was 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) and this is set to be increased to 54.5 mpg by 2025. Owing to these factors, the value of the automotive elastomers market surged to $10,015.2 million in 2015, while the market will exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% from 2016 to 2022, as per the estimates of P&S Intelligence, a market research company based in India. There are mainly two types of elastomers used in automobiles—thermoplastic and synthetic. 

This was because of the rapid expansion of the automotive industry and the large-scale adoption of lightweight materials by automobile manufacturers in the region. In the coming years, the sales of automotive elastomers are predicted to surge in North America and Europe. This is credited to the boom in the automotive industry, enactment of strict emission regulations, and rising popularity of high-performance automobiles in these regions. In North America, the demand for these elastomers was the highest in the U.S. in 2015. 

Hence, the demand for automotive elastomers will shoot up in the forthcoming years, mainly because of the increasing implementation of strict emission regulations by various international organizations and governments and the expansion of the automobile industry.

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How Is Rampant Construction Driving Demand for Centrifugal Water Pumps?

The worldwide population is expected to grow to 10.9 billion by 2100 from 7.7 billion in 2019, says the United Nations (UN) in its World Population Prospects 2019 report. Along with food and air, water is the most important for the survival of the human species. But, with the rising population, the availability of clean water for drinking and other household purposes is reducing. “2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, of which 733 million live in high and critically water-stressed countries.”, says the UN.

As per P&S Intelligence, the increasing demand for this precious resource will drive the centrifugal water pump market in the coming years. In such pumps, a rotating disc with blades (known as vanes), much like a turbine (but working opposite to it), pushes water forward. This, along with easy availability and cost-effectiveness, is why centrifugal variants are the most-popular type of domestic pumps in the world. Moreover, the design of this pump is simple, and it can accommodate numerous types of heads, for varying capacities.

Due to all these reasons, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the largest centrifugal water pump market currently. Even though only 35% and 61% of the Indian and Chinese populations lived in cities in 2020, as per the World Bank, their absolute urban population is the highest in the world. This is why these countries’ cities’ demand for potable water is the highest. Even otherwise, they are the two most-populated countries in the world; much of their rural population is not connected to a municipal water supply system, which is why a large number of people use individual centrifugal pumps at their houses.

Moreover, APAC also accounts for the highest industrial production and large-scale construction. With water being important in these sectors, the demand for industrial-grade centrifugal pumps is booming. As high-rises are being built in large numbers, the demand for pumps at construction sites is increasing so that water can be lifted to the higher storeys. Same is the reason that after the buildings and their individual units are leased out, water pumps are installed to aid in the human consumption of water.

Thus, with the burgeoning population, the installation of centrifugal water pumps will increase.

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Why Are Electronics Manufacturers Using Barium Nitrate?

An extensive volume of barium nitrate is being used in the production of ceramic powder, which is an essential ingredient for electronic components such as capacitors, semiconductors, and superconductors. Ceramic powder coating is used in the electronics industry for device packaging, specialized mechanical components, superconductor devices, and semiconductor devices. Thus, the burgeoning demand for electronic products, on account of the rising disposable income of people and soaring need for technologically advanced devices, will create a huge requirement for this salt globally.

Moreover, its increasing usage as a pyrotechnic colorant will help the barium nitrate market progress at a CAGR of 5.5% during 2016–2022. The market was valued at $2,368.3 million in 2015, and it is expected to generate $3,451.8 million revenue by 2022. The pyrotechnics/fireworks industry uses generic barium nitrate products as an oxidizer, to make green fireworks. Additionally, the compound is also used in tracer bullets, which enable the shooter to trace the trajectory of a bullet with the naked eye.

Currently, the requirement of end-use industries for this chemical is met by Xilan Chemicals Co. Ltd., Jiaocheng Sanxi Chemical Co. Ltd., Angene International Ltd., Tennants Distribution Ltd., Hummel Croton Inc., Solvay, Hebei Xinji Chemical Group Co Ltd., SNDB, Basstech International Llc, and Sakai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. Nowadays, these companies are primarily focusing on improving the product quality, reducing product cost, and enhancing supply reliability, to reach out to a greater number of customers across the world.

According to P&S Intelligence, Asia-Pacific (APAC) led the barium nitrate market in the preceding years, and it is expected to retain the leading position in the upcoming years. This can be attributed to the flourishing electronics industry, on account of the mounting disposable income of people, and escalating use of the compound in the fireworks sector. Additionally, the consumption of barium nitrate in military and pyrotechnics applications is increasing in the region.

Thus, the escalating demand for electronics and firecrackers and the booming glass industry will fuel the adoption of barium nitrate worldwide.

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Why Are Food and Beverage Companies in Germany Using Coding and Marking Systems?

Coding and marking systems provide product-related information on the packaging, such as manufacturing and expiry dates, price, batch number, and other related information, to customers. Coding and labeling enable the identification and tracking of ingredients through multiple stages of the manufacturing process. These systems are being increasingly adopted in the pharmaceutical industry in Germany owing to the surging awareness among manufacturers on the advantages of citing the drug information on the package and owing to the increasing penetration of blister packaging in this sector.

Additionally, coding and marking systems are being deployed by food and beverage companies across the country. Such companies use these systems to print product details on packaged food items, bottled water and alcoholic and soft drinks, and milk packets. Thus, the burgeoning demand for pharmaceutical products and packaged food and beverages will help the German coding and marking systems market demonstrate a CAGR of 5.7% during 2018–2023. According to P&S Intelligence, the market was valued at $290.6 million in 2017, and it is expected to generate $409.4 million revenue by 2023.

At present, end-use industries, such as electrical and electronics, food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, automotive and aerospace, healthcare, chemical, textiles, and packaged consumer goods, are shifting from conventional printing to digital printing. The shift toward digital printing solutions, such as continuous inkjet, can be attributed to their ability to print high volumes of characters with a limited quantity of ink. Additionally, the lesser time consumed and lower inventory waste generated by digital printing solutions will augment their usage in Germany.

Thus, the expanding pharmaceutical industry, burgeoning demand for packaged food items and beverages, and escalating automobile production will propel the adoption of coding and marking systems in Germany.

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How are Strict Government Regulations Driving Demand for Renewable Chemicals?

The increased use of fossil fuels has left the environment in a detrimental state. Their excessive utilization has led to high carbon emissions, which in turn, is the cause for the depletion of the ozone layers. Ascribed to these, the need for shifting to eco-friendly alternatives has increased substantially across the globe. Technological advancements are certainly of importance in such a scenario, as new green technologies can help in decreasing the use of fossil fuels. 

All these factors are resulting in the growth of the renewable chemicals market. Renewable chemicals are derived from sources of carbon that can be replaced swiftly. These chemical are made using renewable feedstock such as microorganisms, biomass, and agricultural raw materials. The use of renewable chemicals is increasing owing to the fact that they can potentially be utilized as a substitute for chemicals that are derived from petroleum.

Consumers these days are also becoming more aware regarding the condition of the environment and therefore are focusing on sustainable products. Due to this, the focus on renewable resources, including renewable chemicals, has been rising. Furthermore, governments of several countries are also implementing regulations for curbing environmental damage. For example, the European Commission has introduced the REACH regulatory mechanism to protect the environment and human health from the risks posed by petroleum-based chemicals. In addition to this, the low-cost and abundant availability of feedstock are also expected to drive the market. 

Different renewable chemical types are organic acids, alcohols, platform chemicals, ketones, and biopolymers. These chemicals are utilized for a number of purposes in various industries such as surfactants and lubricants, consumer goods, resins, and plastics. Renewable chemicals are produced utilizing a number of processes including dehydrative transformation, thermo-chemical conversion, fermentation and bioconversion, enzymatic hydrolysis, product separation and bioconversion, production of Fischer-Tropsch diesel, acid hydrolysis, reductive transformation, and gasification/fermentation. 

Renewable chemicals are used for a number of applications, such as textiles, transportation, communication, food safety, housing, environment, health & hygiene, recreation, agriculture, and bio-medical. The increasing environmental concerns and strict government regulations are resulting in the growing use of renewable chemicals for applications in environment, agriculture, and bio-medical sectors. Moreover, the rising requirement for chemicals for supporting several industrial processes is creating the need for eco-friendly alternatives. 

Geographically, the European region is expected to emerge as a major renewable chemicals market in the years to come, ascribed to the stringent government norms that are promoting the use of environment-friendly chemicals. Apart from this, the adoption of these chemicals is also expected to rise considerably in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in the years to come. The need for clean chemicals to support several manufacturing processes is growing in the region. Moreover, the surging pollution levels, increasing greenhouse gases, and faster rate of oil depletion in APAC are driving the demand for renewable chemicals. 

In conclusion, the market is being driven by the surging environmental concerns and strict government regulations.

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Why is Asia-Pacific Primary Consumer of Coating Resins?

A number of developing countries, including China and India are registering strong economic growth, because of which, the government is becoming more inclined towards spending on building world class infrastructure. The disposable income of people is rising as well, thereby allowing them to migrate to urban cities. Ascribed to all this, the construction industry across the globe is growing rapidly, as large number of commercial and residential buildings are being built for facilitating the increasing number of people coming to urban areas. A large number of products are utilized during the construction process, hence, the expansion of the industry is creating demand for these products as well. 

Coating resins is one of the materials that are utilized for providing finishing touches to different kinds of products. In addition to this, these organic compounds also protect surface of materials from extreme environmental conditions. Other than the construction industry, coating resins are also used in automotive, marine, and furniture industries. The swift expansion of the automotive industry is also a key factor that is driving the demand for coating resins. The production of vehicles around the world is increasing, as a larger number of people are now focusing on buying private vehicles, thereby driving the growth of the global coating resins market


There are various types of coating resins, namely saturated polyester resins, acrylic, polyurethane, vinyl, unsaturated polyester resins, amino, and epoxy. Out of these, the demand for acrylic coating resins has been considerable up till now, which can be attributed to the high elasticity, solubility, and versatility of these coating resins. In addition to this, acrylic coating resins are water resistant and non-toxic in nature, which makes them the preferred choice. In terms of technology, coating resins are further of different types, including high solid, water-borne, radiation cured, solvent-borne, and powder coating, among which, the demand for water-borne coating resins is predicted to rise considerably in the years to come.

This is owing to the rising demand for these products from furniture and automobile manufacturers, as they are cost-effective and exhibit superior adhesion properties. Among the key applications areas, including vehicle refinishes, architectural, automotive, marine, and industrial, the demand for coating resins was considerable high for applications in the architectural sector. This is because of the rising requirement for residential construction across the globe. Geographically, Asia-Pacific (APAC) emerged as he largest coating resins market in the past because of the increasing need for repair and renovation of commercial buildings, schools, houses, and malls in the region. Furthermore, the rise in foreign and government investments is also driving the growth of the market in APAC. 

In conclusion, the demand for coating resins is growing due to the expanding construction and automotive industry across the world.

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