TAGS: Formulations and Transparency Additives for Packaging Polymer Reinforcement
The nucleating and clarifying agents market is projected to reach USD 504 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.3% from USD 353 million in 2022. Nucleating and clarifying agents help in reducing the cycle time during polymer processing, thus increasing the rate of production.
This is expected to lead to their high demand from the Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa regions, where the demand for polymers in various applications, such as packaging, consumer products, and automotive, is increasing.
Increase in Demand for Transparent Medical Apparatus
The use of nucleating and clarifying agents in pharmaceutical and medical applications is growing owing to the increase in demand for rigid and transparent medical apparatus. Plastic containers and other medical apparatus need to be transparent to enable the accuracy of various medicinal dosages.
Syringes and saline bottles are transparent to help monitor and ensure the correct dosage of medicines. With advancements in science and healthcare, the complexity and sensitivity of medical apparatus and machines have increased significantly. This is expected to drive the global demand for nucleating and clarifying agents in pharmaceutical packaging for improved clarity.
Packaging application accounted for the largest market share in the global nucleating and clarifying agents market, in terms of value, in 2021. The segment is projected to grow at highest CAGR, in terms of value, during the forecast period. Growth of the packaging industry is attributed to rapid urbanization, development of retail & e-commerce, rising demand for cosmetics, and healthcare sectors in emerging countries such as China, India, and Brazil.
Related Read: Nucleating Agents & Clarifiers Selection Tips for Polypropylene
Allows Faster Nucleation for Thermoplastic Polymers
The quantity of nucleating and clarifying agents to be compounded with the polymer resin depends on the type of polymer in which it is parted and the requirement of the end application of the product.
Nucleating agents help in faster nucleation or attaining a higher crystallization temperature for thermoplastic polymers.
This results in high productivity during processing and enhanced mechanical and physical properties of products made by compounding
nucleating agents and plastic resins. An excess quantity of nucleating and clarifying agents leads to increase in agglomeration, decreasing nuclei number, decreasing crystallization temperature, and affects the wrap properties of the final plastic product.
Europe was the largest market for global nucleating and clarifying agents market, in terms of volume, in 2021. The market in Europe is driven by innovation. Germany is the key market in Europe. It is estimated to witness high growth during the forecast period because of high use of polymer products in the region in packaging. The major players operating in Europe include BASF SE, Clariant AG, Imerys S.A., and Ceronas GmbH & Co. KG, among others.
Key Market Players
The key players in this market Milliken & Company (U.S.), ADEKA Corporation (Japan), Imerys S.A. (France), Shandong Rainwell New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (China), BASF SE (Germany), and Clariant AG (Switzerland). Continuous developments in the market—including new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, agreements, and expansions—are expected to help the market grow. Leading manufacturers of nucleating and clarifying agents have opted for new product launches to sustain their market position.
Source: MarketsandMarkets