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August 28, 2024Global Polyisobutylene (PIB) Market Snapshot
Polyisobutylene (PIB) are a class of polymers/oligomers of various molecular weights. Polyisobutylene is typically produced by the polymerization of high purity isobutylene or high concentration isobutylene. Product properties and grades are controlled by feed purity, catalyst type and concentration, and reaction temperature.
The PIB market is primarily driven by lubricant demand in transportation and industrial sectors. PIB is also used as fuel additives and in a broad range of other applications such as adhesives and sealants etc.
PIB is used in CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) due to the properties of PIB including impermeability to moisture and gasses, tackiness, UV resistance, oxidation resistance, heat resistance, weight, flexibility, and dielectric properties etc, as well as the non-toxic nature of PIB compared to many competing chemicals, such as formaldehyde.
Due to the wide range of uses PIB lends itself to, demand growth is associated with economic growth at just under two percent from 2024 to 2035. North America and Western Europe are the largest consumers of PIB, together accounting for around two thirds of global demand.
PIB Market Drivers
The reactivity of PIB is solely based on the average vinylidene content, and is an important property to consider when a consumer is looking to further convert PIB, a typical case in the lubricant additives industry. PIB reactivity is largely independent of molecular weight, though the higher molecular weight PIBs are typically not further reacted and have a lessened need for high reactivity.
Reactivity is critical in applications in which PIB is further chemically converted
- Conventional (C) - PIB has about 10-40 percent terminal reactive sites
- Highly Reactive (HR) - PIB has over 70-95 percent terminal reactive sites
The HR PIB market is primarily driven by the automotive sector via use as lube and fuel additives. C-PIB is also used as lube and fuel additives, but its market is more diversified, including adhesives and sealants, metal working fluids, 2-stroke engine oils, emulsifier for explosives and other.
High molecular weight polyisobutylene accounts for a smaller share of the market, with demand driven by adhesives and sealants, chewing gum and medical use. However, concern regarding disposal of polyisobutylene may pose a challenge to the market over the forecast period.
Global PIB Demand by Grade and End Use
Global PIB capacity is estimated at 1.4 million tons in 2024, including both conventional and highly reactive PIB. PIB plants are generally run on a campaign basis and conventional and HR PIB are often produced on the same facility.
Global PIB capacity is concentrated in the major consuming markets of Western Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America, with the leading seven players accounting for three quarters of global capacity. In the near term, only small capacity addition is expected which will support operating rates at around 70 percent.
Find out more…
Market Insights: Polyisobutylene - 2024
This report includes discussion regarding key market trends, as well as supply, demand and trade analysis by product and end use
- Low MW C-PIB: Lube Additives, Fuel Additives, Adhesives and Sealants, 2-Stroke Engine Oils, Metalworking Fluids, Emulsifier for Explosives, Others;
- High MW C-PIB: Adhesives, Sealants, Roofing, Wire Coatings, Chewing Gum, Others;
- Low MW HR-PIB: : Lube Additives, Fuel Additives, Others
Regions include North America, South America, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, China and Other Asia Pacific. Analysis also includes the capacity listing, market drivers, market constraints and pricing analysis by product and region.
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