Industry Insights
Bisphenol A (BPA) is derived from acrylonitrile, styrene, and butadiene. It used in producing polycarbonate, and is used as an important monomer to produce epoxy resins. BPA market is expected to witness significant growth over the next five years owing to increasing application in manufacturing polyacrylate, flame retardants, polyetherimide, and unsaturated polyester resin among others. BPA is a crystalline solid used to manufacture certain plastics. Plastics made from BPA holds superior properties which make it appropriate to produce variety of goods such as electronic equipment, sports equipment, water bottles, CDs, and DVDs. Increasing usage of these products across the globe is likely to have positive impact on BPA market over the foreseeable future. Epoxy resins made of BPA are in used in thermal paper, and coating beverage cans. However, some health related issues associated with usage of epoxy resins resulted in its replacement with PET films. This factor is likely to pose threat to BPA market over the forecast period.
BPA also finds application in Polycarbonate which is used to manufacture plastics. This is a key factor which is likely to boost the market demand in near future. Polycarbonate is the derivative product of BPA finds application in various consumer goods, eyeglass lenses, medical & dental devices, and foundry castings among others. Increasing demand of these products is expected to boost the demand for polycarbonate in manufacturing industries, which in turn likely to drive BPA market over the next five years. BPA also finds application in major end-use industries including construction, electronics, and automotive. Growth of these end-use industries in emerging nations of Asia Pacific and Latin America is anticipated to augment the market growth in these regions. Epoxy resins due its high quality performance are used in various industrial applications which require corrosion protection, thermal stability, adhesion, and mechanical strength. This factor is expected to drive epoxy resins market which in turn likely to boost BPA demand in near future. However, increasing consumer awareness regarding health concerns associated with usage of BPA in food applications is anticipated to hinder the market growth over the forecast period.
Application Insights:
Polycarbonate has been the most dominant application segment for BPA market over the recent past, and the trend is expected to continue over the foreseeable future on account of increasing demand from major end-use industries. Epoxy resin was the second major application segment of BPA in 2013. Other applications of BPA include polysulfone resins, polyetherimide, polyacrylate, and flame retardants among others. These applications have noteworthy contribution in application segment over the last few years. Some key applications of epoxy resins and polycarbonate include cell phones, computers, bicycle helmets, flooring, and household appliances.
Regional Insights
Asia Pacific has been the largest regional market over the recent past owing to major end-use industries coupled with wide availability of raw materials in the region. Large number of manufacturing companies has shifted their plants to Asia Pacific owing to low labor and operating cost. This factor is expected to boost the market demand in the region over the forecast period. North America is the matured market owing to stringent government regulation. Canada has banned the usage of polycarbonate in baby bottles, which is likely to hinder the market growth in North America region. European Union has banned the use of epoxy resins in many food applications, which may restrain the market growth in the region over the forecast period.
Competitive Insights
Major Players active the global market include Bayer Material Science, Dow Chemicals, Chang Chun Plastics Co., Kumbho P&B Chemicals, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., PTT Phenol Co., Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc., Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co., and Teijin Ltd.
