PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1775815
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1775815
Specialty resins, also referred to as commodity resins, represent a category of high-performance resins meticulously crafted to provide enhanced thermal and chemical resistance to the materials in which they are applied. Additionally, they deliver notable tensile strength and impact resistance, making them suitable for diverse applications such as noise control, vibration damping, shock isolation, and cushioning.
The primary varieties of specialty resins encompass epoxy, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), vinyl, and polyamides. Epoxy resins, characterized as thermosetting polymers containing more than one three-membered ring, known as epoxides, are widely utilized. Among them, epoxy resin stands out as the most prevalent form, finding application as an adhesive, sealant, coating binder, and matrix for composite materials. Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) results from the condensation of unsaturated acids or anhydrides and diols, with or without diacids. These resins play crucial roles in construction, marine applications, as well as in the manufacturing of pipes and tanks. Vinyl specialty resins serve emerging industrial needs in areas like coatings, printed circuit boards, metal foil laminates, building materials, automotive components, rigid foams, and fiber-reinforced composites. Polyamides, belonging to the family of opaque thermoplastic polymers, exhibit exceptional strength and heat tolerance. Specialty resins fulfill various functions such as protection, insulation, and others, catering to diverse sectors such as building and construction, automotive, water treatment, marine, electrical and electronics, aerospace, among others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact-particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.
The specialty resins market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides specialty resins market statistics, including specialty resins industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a specialty resins market share, detailed specialty resins market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the specialty resins industry. This specialty resins market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The specialty resins market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $9.05 billion in 2024 to $9.48 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in demand for high-performance materials, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, industrial applications, demand for advanced materials, growth in construction.
The specialty resins market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.61 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for customized solutions, sustainability and green initiatives, advanced composite materials, smart manufacturing, electric vehicles (evs). Major trends in the forecast period include bio-based resins, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, advanced coating technologies, smart manufacturing and iot, miniaturization of electronics.
The forecast of 7.4% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by increasing expenses for composites and adhesives, as high-performance resins from South Korea and Italy become pricier.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The anticipated growth in demand for the construction industry is poised to drive the expansion of the specialty resins market in the upcoming years. The construction sector, encompassing various activities from mining, quarrying, and forestry to infrastructure and building construction, plays a pivotal role in driving demand for specialty resins. Epoxy resin, a type of specialty resin, finds extensive use in the production of coatings, adhesives, flooring, plastics, primers, sealers, paints, and other components integral to the building and construction industry. For example, data from the UK-based Office for National Statistics reveals a 0.4% increase in monthly construction output in August 2022, marking the second consecutive rise after July 2022's upwardly revised increase to 0.1%. This growth underscores the influence of the construction industry on the specialty resins market.
The expanding packaging industry is projected to drive the growth of the specialty resins market in the coming years. This industry encompasses the design, production, and distribution of containers, materials, and systems used to protect, contain, and transport goods and products. Specialty resins are utilized in the packaging sector to enhance the durability, barrier properties, and customization of packaging materials, effectively meeting various product protection and sustainability needs. For instance, according to the State of the Flexible Packaging Industry report by the Flexible Packaging Association, a US-based organization, the flexible packaging industry in the United States generated sales of $41.5 billion in 2022, with sales estimated at $39 billion for 2021. Therefore, the growth of the packaging industry is a significant driver for the specialty resins market.
Technological advancement is emerging as a prominent trend in the specialty resins market, with major industry players focusing on the development of advanced specialty resin solutions. A case in point is ASK Chemicals, a Germany-based chemicals company, which launched its new reziance brand portfolio of industrial resins in October 2023. This portfolio includes high-performance phenolic resins and specialty solutions designed for casting and various industrial applications.
Major companies operating in the specialty resins market are directing their efforts towards innovative technology, exemplified by PCR-based Noryl resin technology, to offer sustainable materials to customers. PCR-based Noryl resin technology involves a specialized manufacturing process that incorporates post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials into Noryl resins. An instance is the initiative by Saudi Arabia's Basic Industries Corporation, which introduced a new Noryl resin technology formulated with 25% or more post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. This sustainable technology aims to provide customers with eco-friendly material options, showcasing a significant step in incorporating recycled content into polyphenylene ether (PPE)-based material technologies.
In July 2022, Westlake Corporation, a US-based manufacturing company and the largest producer of low-density polyethylene, acquired Hexion Inc. for $1.2 billion. This acquisition allows Westlake to expand its portfolio by integrating Hexion's expertise in specialty resins. Hexion Inc. is a US-based company known for its offerings in specialty resins.
Major companies operating in the specialty resins market include Aldex Chemical Company Limited, Radiant Color NV, Huntsman International LLC, Purolite Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Thermax Limited, International Specialty Chemicals Ltd., BASF SE, Emerald Performance Materials LLC, Arkema S.A., Koninklijke DSM N.V., Pure Resin Co. Ltd., Kolon Industries Inc., Suqing Group, Specialty Resin Chemical Co. Ltd., Scott Bader Company Limited, Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Limited, DIC Corporation, Allnex Belgium SA/NV, Polynt SpA, INEOS Group Limited, Reichhold LLC, Sika AG, Sinopec Baling Company Limited, Eternal Materials Co. Ltd., Chang Chun Plastics Co. Ltd., Kukdo Chemical Co. Ltd., Hitachi Chemical Company Ltd., Nanya Plastics Corporation, SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Kyocera Chemical Corporation.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the specialty resins market in 2024. Europe was the second-largest market in the specialty resin market. The regions covered in the specialty resins market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
The countries covered in the specialty resins market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.