Polypropylene catalyst market to reach $1.33 bn by 2020

Polypropylene catalyst market, estimated at $958.1 million in 2015, is projected to reach a market size of $1,331.3 million in 2020 registering a CAGR of 5--6% during the period, according to a new report of MarketsandMarkets.
 
Rest of the World and Asia-Pacific dominated the polypropylene catalyst market in 2014 and accounted for over 60% of the market, by volume and value. Country-wise, China is the top consumer of polypropylene catalyst products globally. Companies like Sinopec and WR Grace are two of the biggest players in the country. Germany is the second-largest polypropylene catalyst consumer in the world.
 
The growth in the PP catalyst industry is anticipated to come from advanced metallocene and single site catalysts. Need for specified polypropylene has shifted manufacturers focus towards metallocene catalysts. Future growth in the international market hinges heavily onto developing economies, especially in Asia-Pacific. China, Korea and Japan, especially, stand out as noteworthy emerging markets.
 
“The future scenario in Asia-Pacific looks promising given the number of facility expansions, merger & acquisitions and strategic partnerships that took place in these countries. The ensuing increase in foreign investments and rise in the number of new manufacturing establishments will witness Asia-Pacific emerge into a prime driver of growth for the polypropylene catalyst market,” said MarketsandMarkets in a press release.
 
As per the report, Ziegler Natta catalysts still dominate the polypropylene catalyst market with metallocene catalysts set to register the fastest growth rate in the market during 2015-2020.
 
Ziegler Natta catalysts took the topmost position in the polypropylene catalyst market with around 80 percent market share by value in 2014. Ziegler-Natta catalysts have propelled the industry forward by making possible the inexpensive and easily controlled production of polypropylene. “Today, more than half of the total polypropylene produced worldwide are with Ziegler-Natta technology,” said the report.
 
Metallocene catalysts can help the producers refine, even design, the structure of polymers. Although based on transition metals such as titanium and zirconium, similar to Ziegler-Natta catalysts, metallocenes differ in that they have a well-defined single catalytic sites and well-understood molecular structures. They tend to have features such as increased impact strength and toughness; improved clarity in films; and better melt characteristics, because of the control over molecular structure.
 
Most early applications have been in specialty markets where value-added and higher priced polymers can compete. As the technology develops and catalyst costs decrease, metallocene-based polymers are expected to compete in the broader plastics market. Univation Inc (a joint venture between Exxon Chemical and Dow Plastics) and Lyondell Basel are the leading companies in this sector who are ushering the plastics industry into the metallocene age, added the report.