Polyetherimide Market

Polyetherimide Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global polyetherimide market is valued at US$ 631 million in 2023 and is projected to expand at a healthy 6.4% CAGR over the next ten years. Worldwide polyetherimide demand is forecasted to reach a market value of US$ 1.17 billion by the end of 2033.

Polyetherimide (PEI) is a transparent to amber thermoplastic amorphous polymer that has properties similar to PEEK plastic. Preference for PEI is anticipated to rise in different applications over the coming years owing to its high strength and high temperature range.

Growing focus on sustainability and advancements in material technology are projected to be major prospects that will drive polyetherimide sales in the future. Increasing demand for alternatives to heat-resistant plastics is also anticipated to augment the polyetherimide market forecast positively across the study period.

Rapid growth in automotive production around the world, growing awareness regarding the benefits of polyetherimide, and surging use of lightweight materials in the aerospace sector are other aspects that are also extrapolated to boost market development over the coming years. High investments in research and development of new materials are also estimated to open up new avenues of opportunities for polyetherimide start-ups as well as established market players going forward.

How is Polyetherimide Made?

Polyetherimide is manufactured using various processes, such as :

• Polyetherimide thermoforming
• Polyetherimide injection molding
• Polyetherimide extrusion
• Polyetherimide compression molding

An in-depth account of polyetherimide market trends such as local supply, pricing trends, product standards, safety regulations, and new developments has been discussed extensively in this polyetherimide market research study by skilled analysts at Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider

Report Attributes	Details
Polyetherimide Market Size (2023E)	US$ 631 Million
Projected Market Value (2033F)	US$ 1.17 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	6.4% CAGR
Reinforced Polyetherimide Market Share (2023)	~45%
Polyetherimide Demand Growth in Medical Industry (2023 to 2033)	6% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	SABIC Kuraray Europe GmbH Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation RTP Company Westlake Plastics Company Emco Industrial Plastics Inc. Gehr Plastics Inc. Ensinger GmbH Eagle Performance Plastics Inc. Mitsui Chemicals Aikolon Oy Röchling Group Plasticomp Inc. Centroplast Engineering Plastics GmbH

Which Organization Leads the PEI Market Landscape?

“SABIC Remains a Force to Reckon with in the Polyetherimide Business”

Saudi Arabia's Basic Industries Corporation, popularly known as SABIC, is a chemical manufacturing organization based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A majority of SABIC’s stake is owned by Saudi Aramco. The organization has continually maintained its ‘top dog’ status in the polyetherimide space for quite a while now and is slated to continue the same across the study period and beyond.

• SABIC’s moves and pioneering innovation in developing novel high-performance thermoplastics have allowed it to hold dominion over nearly 1/3 of the global polyetherimide market share at present.
• In 2021, SABIC announced the global launch of biobased Ulten polyetherimide resins, which were recognized as the industry’s first certified high-performance amorphous polymers that were renewable. The company aimed to promote sustainability in different industry verticals through this launch as it claimed to reduce the carbon footprint by 10% as compared to its fossil counterparts.

The company has also been actively focusing on partnerships and collaborations to widen the horizons of its business on a global level and cement its dominance in the polyetherimide industry landscape. Efforts to increase the production of certain products at different facilities have also been undertaken by SABIC in recent years.

• In 2022, SABIC announced that it had selected Conventus Polymers as its authorized distributor for the North American region. This allows Conventus to distribute LNP compounds, Ultem PEI, and other related products and services from SABIC’s portfolio to its customers in North America.
• In 2018, SABIC announced its plans to increase the production capacity of Ultem resins through its existing footprint in Singapore. The move was estimated to result in an increase of 50% in global production of polyetherimide materials.

Country-wise Insights

The world is an oyster for polyetherimide companies looking to expand their business but smart investments in countries such as India, China, and the United States could very well set the stage for global recognition in the future.

How Opportune in the United States PEI Market?

“Adoption of 3D Printing in Additive Manufacturing Sector Driving Market Growth”

The United States has always been one of the early adopters of almost all kinds of technology and this is also true for 3D printing tech as well. An increasing number of manufacturers in the country are opting for 3D printing in their additive manufacturing processes to improve productivity through automation. Industrial automation has been gaining traction in the country and the need for novel materials to promote automated manufacturing is driving polyetherimide market growth.

Advancements in technology are resulting in the creation of novel 3D printers that can utilize advanced materials such as polyetherimide and other high-performance thermoplastics.

• In February 2023, 3DXTECH, a renowned supplier of 3D printing filaments, announced the launch of the second generation of its Gearbox 3D printer. The new Gearbox HT2 is capable of processing high-temperature materials such as ULTEM PEI, PEEK, etc.

Where in Asia Will Polyetherimide Companies Make the Most Money?

“China and India to Lead Polyetherimide Demand Outlook in APAC”

China and India have emerged as manufacturing superpowers in the Eastern part of the world and supportive government initiatives to promote economic growth have also created new opportunities for different businesses in these countries. An increasing number of companies setting up manufacturing facilities in China and India is projected to uplift consumption of flame-retardant plastics, insulating plastics, and different types of polyetherimide products through 2033.

Polyetherimide manufacturers are also anticipated to set up shop in Asian countries to benefit from low labor costs and government subsidies and incentives. The expanding population of countries in the APAC region is also projected to be an influential force boosting polyetherimide sales over the next ten years.

What Makes Germany a Profitable Market for PEI Suppliers?

“Presence of Robust Automotive Manufacturing and High Focus on Sustainability”

Germany is home to some of the most prominent names in the automotive industry such as BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, etc. and this is projected to be a key prospect augmenting polyetherimide sales in the future. The surging demand for lightweight and efficient vehicles around the world is also pushing German automotive giants to adopt new engineering plastics that help them create lightweight yet sturdy vehicles.

With rising investments in material R&D, the scope of polyetherimide applications in the automotive space and polyetherimide in the aerospace industry is slated to widen in the future. Polyetherimide recycling is also a side of the coin that will come to light in the country and create new opportunities for polyetherimide brands as the focus on sustainability bolsters in Germany and other European countries.

Category-wise Insights

Polyetherimide companies should focus on supplying reinforced polyetherimide to the medical industry if they want to create a sustained business that is future-proof. Automotive and aerospace industries are also attractive spaces for reinforced polyetherimide vendors.

Which Grade of Polyetherimide is Most Extensively Used?

“Reinforced Grade PEI Preferred by Majority of Industries”

Based on grade, the polyetherimide market is divided into reinforced and unreinforced.

Polyetherimide reinforced with graphite and glass fiber has been found to have superior mechanical characteristics as compared to its unreinforced counterparts. Reinforced polyetherimide is extensively used in corrosion prevention and to replace metals with lighter materials that have high strength and stiffness. Growing focus on using lightweight materials in different industry verticals without compromising on strength and integrity is also slated to uplift sales of reinforced PEI over the coming years.

• Reinforced polyetherimide demand currently accounts for a volume share of 45% in 2023 in the global marketplace.

Where Will Demand for Polyetherimide Shine Bright?

“Medical Industry to Hold Sway Over Global PEI Demand”

High-performance plastics such as polyetherimide are gaining massive traction in several end-use industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, and others owing to their high potential properties. Historically, the automotive and aerospace sectors have dominated the overall demand for polyetherimide but, the recent developments in medical-grade polyetherimide have shifted the focus of manufacturers towards utilizing the untapped opportunities in this sector.

• Sales of polyetherimide in the medical industry are predicted to rise at 6% CAGR over the next ten years.

Furthermore, the application of polyetherimide sheets, rods, and films to provide exceptional fire resistance and high strength is likely to support the strong growth rate of polyetherimide in the medical sector. Increasing investments in medical R&D coupled with a high focus on government to improve healthcare infrastructure are also estimated to open up new avenues of opportunities for polyetherimide suppliers through 2033.

Key Segments of Polyetherimide Industry Research

• By Form :

  • Films
  • Sheets
  • Tubes
  • Granules
  • Rods

• By Grade :

  • Reinforced
  • Unreinforced

• By Process :

  • Injection Molding
  • Extrusion
  • Thermoforming
  • Compression Molding

• By End-use Industry :

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Medical
  • Consumer Goods
  • Other Industries

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • APAC
  • MEA