Chemicals in Demand: Growing Market for Plastic Additives

KONSTANZ, Germany - April 16, 2025 - PRLog -- Additives are usually only added in small quantities, but without them plastic products would not stand a chance against heat, UV rays, and oxidation. More than 10,000 different chemicals are used to improve the properties of plastics, including fillers, plasticizers, pigments and colorants, flame retardants, antioxidants, light stabilizers and heat stabilizers.

Tonnes of Plasticizers and Fillers

Elastic cable sheathing or floor coverings do not necessarily have to be made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic that contains up to 70% plasticizers. But most of the time they are: PVC manufacturers in particular ensure that more than 8 million tonnes of plasticizers are sold every year, especially phthalates. However, the plastic additives used in the largest quantities overall are fillers: More than 19.5 million tonnes of calcium carbonates, kaolin, and other filling materials are added to plastics to make them cheaper or to specifically change other properties. All ingredients, whether individually or as premixed masterbatches, must meet the requirements for the respective end products. For example, they often have to comply with food contact regulations or be compatible with bioplastics.

Increasing Demand for Plastic Additives

Ceresana has been analyzing the markets of plastics and their various ingredients for more than 20 years. The latest market report forecasts that sales of plastic additives will grow by an average of 3.3% per year until 2033. The study examines in detail the development of the individual additive types in the various regions of the world as well as in the 29 largest national sales markets. The largest application area for plastic additives is construction products, such as insulation materials, films, or door and window frames. The demand for plastic additives is also increasing due to the consumption of  packaging. Vehicle manufacturers and the electrical and electronics industry are important consumers as well.

The Current Market Study "Plastic Additives – World (4th Edition)":

Chapter 1 analyzes of the global market for plastic additives – including forecasts up to 2033. These plastic additive types are examined in detail: Fillers, Plasticizers, Pigments, Flame retardants, Stabilizers, Impact modifiers, Lubricants, Antioxidants, Blowing agents and other plastic additives. Application areas analyzed in this study: Packaging, Construction industry, Transportation, especially the automotive industry, Electrical & electronics, Industry and other applications. The following plastic types are considered individually: PVC, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Polyurethane, Engineering plastics and other plastics.
In Chapter 2, 29 countries are examined individually, particularly large national markets such as the USA, China, Japan, or Germany.
Chapter 3 provides company profiles of the 68 largest manufacturers of plastic additives.

Further information: https://ceresana.com/en/produkt/plastic-additives-market-...