Polymer foam market to hit $131.1 billion by 2018

In its recent report, MarketsandMarkets said that the current worth of the global polymer foams market (2012) is $82.6 billion but is expected to expand and reach $131.1 billion by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2013 to 2018. The high demand across industries such as automotive, building & construction and packaging will increase the overall polymer foam consumption.

The Asian market is expected to dominate with its growing demand for foams in different applications especially building & construction. The Western European and North American markets are expected to show a rising growth in the next five years with allied industries expected to stabilize the overall business need in respective regions.

Research and development is a key part of this market where manufacturing companies, associations, and end product makers infuse high investments for future advancements and technology modifications of different foam types. Polyolefin foams are expected to penetrate the global market with the highest growth within competitive foams available in the market. Polyurethane foams are dominant in consumption and revenue made, reasoned by its optimal cost to performance factor.

Asia-Pacific is the largest region, both in terms of volume and value, followed by Western Europe and North America. U.S., Germany, U.K., Brazil, Russia, China, and India are expected to persist as successful foam markets. The major players in the global polymer foam market are Armacell LLC (Germany), Adeplast S.A. (Romania), BASF SE (Germany), British Vita Foams plc (U.K.), Carpenter Co. (U.S.), INEOS Styrenics (Switzerland), JSP Corp (Japan), Recticel S.A. (Belgium), Rogers Corp (U.S.) and Wood bridge Foam Partner (U.S.).

Eastern and Central European nations, emerging South-East Asian and nations that host the Olympics and other events would supplement the growth of polymer foams. An increase in auto sales, proposals for improvement of infrastructure and rising housing market in emerging economies will drive the polymer foams market.

The polymer foam demand in terms of value and volume depicts current and future projections according to the parallel economic and industrial outlook. This analysis covers major developments, expansions, agreements and mergers & acquisitions of leading global companies.