Thermoplastic Elastomers: Europe

Thermoplastic Elastomers: Europe

This report forecasts to 2024 thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) European demand and production in metric tons. Total demand is segmented by product in terms of: styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs), polyolefin elastomers (POEs), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), and other products such as thermoplastic polyurethanes and copolyester elastomers. Total demand is also segmented by market as follows: motor vehicles; asphalt and roofing; consumer goods; industrial products; and other markets such as adhesives, sealants, and coatings, packaging, and medical products.

To illustrate historical trends, total demand is provided in annual series from 2009 to 2019; production and the various segments are reported at five-year intervals for 2009, 2014, and 2019.

For the purposes of this report, a TPE is defined as any thermoplastic material that exhibits elastomeric properties; TPEs therefore offer the functional performance characteristics of thermoset rubber, but are processed using the methods and machinery of rigid thermoplastics. SBCs that do not exhibit elastomeric properties (i.e., high styrene products that contain roughly 60% or more styrene) are excluded from the scope of this report. While TPOs and TPVs are ""polyolefin elastomers"" in a technical sense, they are defined separately for the purposes of this report. Furthermore, vulcanized olefin elastomers such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and ethylene-propylene rubber are not TPEs and are thus excluded. Compounds with vulcanized elastomers are considered to be TPVs rather than TPOs. Various sources and manufacturers differ on the degree of vulcanization required to define an olefinic TPE as a TPV, so estimates of current global demand can vary.

Key macroeconomic indicators are also provided with quantified trends. Other various topics, including profiles of pertinent leading suppliers, are covered in this report. A full outline of report items by page is available in the Table of Contents.