Polyetherimide market has registered significant gains through the expansive application of PEI in automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors. Polyetherimide (PEI) being a high-performance polymer exhibits high tensile strength, flame resistance and low smoke emission, making it an ideal material for use in electrical, medical, automotive and other industrial products. The material is designed to overcome challenges related to polyimides and offers long-term creep resistance, allowing it to replace metal and other materials in many structural applications.
PEI’s electrical properties also demonstrate excellent stability under variable temperature, frequency and humid conditions, features that have positively influenced the material’s growing application, which will significantly boost polyetherimide market size over the forecast period.
U.S. Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyetherimide Market Size, By Application, 2018 & 2025, (Kilo Tons)
Global polyetherimide market size from automotive application is expected to surpass $290 million by 2025. Polyetherimide’s application in the automotive sector has been increasing lately due to its capability to replace metals, thermosets, and bulk molding compounds (BMC). The material is used in under-the-hood applications that require high heat resistance, high strength, and broad chemical resistance.
Growing PEI demand for automotive components like transmission parts, throttle bodies, ignition components, thermostat housings, reflectors, lamp sockets, bezels, and electromechanical systems such as gears, fuses, bearings, solenoid bodies, ignition switches, and oil pump drives, owing to its low cost and light weight offering has fostered polyetherimide industry growth.
Technological advancements in the PEI sector will enhance market reach. For instance, in March 2019, leading thermoplastic supplier SABIC launched a breakaway support material for 3D printed PEI element which is used in various automotive, medical and industrial application.
By grade, global carbon fiber-reinforced polyetherimide market size is anticipated to register a CAGR over 5% between 2019-2025. The product is used in the manufacturing of aircraft components including aileron ribs owing to its high strength and rigidity. The material is preferred for its lightweight and electrically conductive properties as proven appropriate for elevated thermal resistance, EMI shielding, exception mechanical strength and more.
It is also used the manufacturing of jet engine components and sheeting of aircraft interiors. With growth in air transport industry at an all-time high and reports suggesting that global commercial aircraft industry will grow by 2.5% through 2025, PEI demand is expected to proliferate tremendously in the years ahead.
The global polyetherimide market size through electronics application is expected to exceed $165 million in the forecast timeframe. The material’s high deformation resistance, low flammability, self-extinguishing & outgassing properties find its application in manufacturing electrical and electronic insulators.
To meet growing demands for miniaturization in the sector, ceramic-filled polyetherimide grades have been developed as they exhibit excellent electrical and processing properties and can easily be metalized. They are also used in molded interconnect devices (MID) owing to unique plating capabilities. Additionally, in the telecom sector, there is an increasing demand for high heat resistant materials like PEI to develop high-end connectors in the fiber optics segment, fostering PEI industry growth.
China polyetherimide market size from electronic sector may witness significant gains of approximately 5.5% over 2019-2025. The region has a vast consumer electronics market that will supplement product adoption in the forecast period. Additionally, the growing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and increase in foreign investment for developing EV factories in China will augment PEI adoption to newer levels.
Numerous companies have been developing lightweight capacitors to reduce the weight of heavy battery packs in electric vehicles, supplementing both the EV industry as well as the PEI market growth in the era of electric mobility.
Polyetherimide is a high temperature, transparent and amorphous polymer that has found long-term application in several industries. The material effectively enables replacing heavy metals and material to allow the development of lightweight, robust and mission-critical products. According to Global Market Insights, Inc. reports, polyetherimide market size is expected to surpass $800 million by 2025.