Epoxy resins are also termed as thermosetting resins recognized for its excellent electrical, mechanical, and high heat confrontation properties. The epoxy resins are majorly used in electronic applications, paints and coatings, wind turbines, adhesives, constructions and others. The paints and coatings are the major application in which the epoxy resins are majorly used. The growth in epoxy resins market is majorly driven by the developing and emerging economies due to high industrialization and increasing application of epoxy resins in the industries. The increasing demand of epoxy resins in the wind turbines is increasing the growth in the global market. The increasing demand for green energy has increased the demand of wind turbines across the world. In 2013 the global installed capacity of wind energy is 318,596 MW which was increased in 2014 at 369,553 MW. Thus, the increasing demand for wind turbines has also impacting the growth in the global market.
The global epoxy resins market is estimated at $12.15 billion by 2022 with the growing CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period. The cumulative research and development initiatives taken by various key players are increasing the demand of the epoxy resins in the global market. Various key players are indulging in the development of new technology and advancement in the epoxy resins which helps to enhance the effectiveness and provide better efficiency of the epoxy resins. The slow progress in the European, U.S. and Japan market and impulsive prices of the raw materials are hampering the growth of epoxy resins in the global market. The growing awareness of health hazards associated with BPA-based products is the major restraints for the global market. The growing demand of modified epoxy resins and increasing demand from emerging economies are creating huge opportunities in the forecast period for the global epoxy resins market.
The epoxy resins are segmented on the basis of application and geography. The application segment is further segmented into adhesives, composites, construction, electrical & electronics, other applications, paints & coatings, wind turbine. The composites material application is the fastest growing segment which is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 7.5% in the forecast period 2016-2022. The rising demand for lightweight materials in aviation and automotive industry is expected to give robust growth in the global epoxy resins market. Paint & coatings segment is the largest segment and is anticipated to dominate the market in the forecast period. Printed circuit boards clutch the largest share in electrical and electronics segment. The increasing demand for epoxy resins by the global aerospace industry is due to the properties like increased fuel efficiency of the aircrafts, and more thermal conductivity that is increasing the use of epoxy resins in various applications. The application of epoxy resins while manufacturing the aircraft assist to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft, which enhances the fuel efficiency of the aircrafts. The increasing use of epoxy resins in the wind turbines for the manufacture of aerodynamically efficient blades that assist to generate better electricity generation. Thus, the feature of epoxy resins is increasing the applications of epoxy resins in various industrial applications.
The global epoxy resins market is driven by the presence of some prominent players in the market. Hexion Speciality Chemicals Inc., Dow Chemical, Nan Ya Plastic Corporation, Kukdo Chemical, DuPont, BASF, Huntsman Corporation and Sanmu Group are some of the global market players. Mergers, acquisition, innovation, product development are the strategies adopted by key players to sustain in the competitive market. In second half of April 2016, BASF signed agreement to acquire automotive refinish coatings assets of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry Coatings. This acquisition enabled BASF to manufacture light weight automotive coatings which is expected to increase the market share of the BASF in the global market.
Asia Pacific is dominating the market with largest share in the global epoxy resins market. The growth is majorly driven by the increasing demand from paints & coatings industry and composites industry in the Aisa Pacific region. Asia Pacific accounted for 62% of global epoxy resin consumption in 2014 and the APAC region is also anticipated to witness robust growth among other regions in the forecast period. Hasty infrastructure development combined with cumulative automobile production is projected to increase the growth in regional industry. In 2014, North American market was accounted for $1 billion. The rising automotive industry and the increasing demand for coatings in marine industry are boosting the high growth in the North American region. The growing usage of wind turbines for green energy generation is also positively impacting the epoxy resins market in the region. The European market for epoxy resins is driven by the growing demand of coatings and composites from aircraft manufacturers in the region. The rising automotive industry is also expected to uplift the growth in the European region.
