Abstract
Crucial Structural Changes Alter Distribution Patterns in Thermoplastic Elastomers Market
Several momentous structural changes during 2001--2004 in the World thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
market perceptibly modified its distribution and consumer purchasing patterns. Some of these include
U.S. companies entering into alliances with European suppliers, Asian organizations continuing to
make inroads into the European market and European suppliers entrenching themselves in Asia. These
trends have created a more global TPE market as well as multi-region business structures in leading
companies.
This Frost & Sullivan analysis provides an overview and update of the European TPE market.
This study is segmented by application into automotive, extrusion, consumer goods, regulated
products and wire and cable. The research service enables companies to adjust their positioning
strategies to benefit from the changing markets and obtain maximum return on investment.
Super-TPV Expand Market Reach of TPEs
With the commercialisation of several new types of thermoplastic vulcanizate that have been
grouped together as super-TPVs, manufacturers of higher-end thermoset rubber and thermoplastics are
being challenged to retain their market shares. This has opened up opportunities for TPVs in more
demanding applications such as auto under-hood, appliance and industrial parts that are subjected to
high temperature requirements. They are also expected to tap niche markets such as communications
devices and consumer products that are used in harsh environments.
"Super-TPVs such as Zeotherm offer higher heat resistance than conventional TPV and
co-polyesters," notes the analyst. "Zeotherm has sustained heat resistance of 150ｰC
and a short-term heat resistance of up to 175ｰC." To withstand this kind of heat, other
materials such as Santoprene and co-polyesters used in under-hood applications have to be
incorporated with a heat shield. Elimination of the heat shield is a major advantage of super-TPVs
as this helps in reducing the total cost of the system. Zeotherm also offers better over-mould
adhesion onto nylon substrates than conventional TPVs.
Replacement of Thermoset Rubber Drives Demand in Key TPE Markets
The automotive industry is the largest end user for TPEs in Europe. The use of thermoset rubbers
such as EPDM, polychloroprene and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) still appreciably outweighs TPE in
automotive applications. However, the industry has continued to replace thermoset rubber with TPE
since Frost & Sullivan last researched this market in 2002, and this trend is expected to
continue in the future. In 2001, TPE represented around 14.0 percent of thermoset rubber (by weight)
used in motor vehicles and by 2004, this had increased to 15.2 percent.
"TPEs advantages over synthetic rubber such as recyclability, greater ease of processing
and design flexibility are likely to ensure its continued penetration in automotive
applications," says the analyst of this research service. "Thermoplastic polyolefin
elastomers have also gained an edge over most thermoset rubbers because they offer faster moulding
cycles, lower energy consumption, closer tolerances on fabricated parts and lighter weight."
These benefits are expected to increase demand for TPEs.
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