Abstract
US demand to rise 4.5% annually through 2013
US demand for fluoropolymers will rise 4.5 percent per year to $1.7 billion in
2013. Gains will represent an acceleration from the 1998-2008 decade, during
which the fluoropolymer market was hampered by weakness in the manufacturing
sector. Going forward, demand for fluoropolymers will be driven by a
turnaround in key markets such as motor vehicles and wire and cable, and the
increasing need for high-performance materials in demanding industrial
applications. Rising demand in emerging, fast-growth markets such as advanced
batteries, fuel cells and photovoltaic modules will also support gains.
Fluoroelastomers, smallervolume types to lead gains
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the first commercial fluoropolymer, will
continue to account for the largest portion of demand in 2013. Advances for
PTFE will be driven by growing opportunities in applications such as chemical
processing and industrial filtration. However, the most rapid gains will be
seen for fluoroelastomer products, fueled by a strong rebound in motor vehicle
production from a low 2008 base. Demand for fluorinated ethylene propylene
(FEP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resins will rise at a more moderate
pace, limited by a drop in nonresidential construction activity. Nonetheless,
gains for these resins will exceed three percent per year by volume, easily
outpacing growth in real manufacturing activity over the same period. Robust
gains will be also be found in smaller-volume fluoropolymer products, which
include a number of high value materials used in emerging markets.
Double-digit growth in solar energy products will fuel gains for polyvinyl
fluoride (PVF) films used in the production of photovoltaic modules. Demand
for perfluorosulfonic acid polymers will be driven by the rapid rise in fuel
cell shipments. Additionally, a strong pharmaceutical market will bolster
demand for polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) polymers, which are used in
drug packaging films.
Transportation equipment markets to grow the fastest
Industrial markets will remain the largest outlet for fluoropolymers in 2013,
accounting for about one-third of demand by value. The increasingly aggressive
and corrosive processes used in chemical and semiconductor manufacturing will
spur growing demand for high-performance fluoropolymer materials. The fastest
gains, however, will be in transportation equipment markets, driven by a
rebound in motor vehicle output and increased penetration of fluoroelastomer
products. Electrical and electronic markets will also see above-average gains
in demand, led by the small (but rapidly expanding) fuel cell and photovoltaic
segments.
Study coverage
This new Freedonia industry study, Fluoropolymers presents historical demand
data (1998, 2003, 2008) plus forecasts for 2013 and 2018 by product,
application and market. The study also considers market environment factors,
evaluates company market share and profiles industry competitors.
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