Global Polyimide Foams Market, 2023-2028

Market Overview

The global market for polyimide foams is projected to exhibit a CAGR of more than 6.3% during the forecast period of 2023-2028. This growth is expected to result in an incremental increase of USD 84.5 million within the market. Polyimide foams are an important class of polymeric materials derived from polyimide resins that exhibit a unique combination of properties. Their highly aromatic molecular structure grants them exceptional thermal stability, allowing polyimide foams to withstand temperatures up to 500°C without decomposition. The rigid polymer backbone contains many aromatic rings that restrict molecular motions even at elevated temperatures. Consequently, polyimide foams find widespread use in high-temperature industrial applications where other polymers would rapidly degrade.

In addition to temperature resistance, polyimide foams possess an extremely low density owing to their highly porous, cellular morphology. Densities as low as 0.10 g/cm3 are possible, making polyimide foams one of the most lightweight solid substances available. This low density provides excellent buoyancy, which combined with the thermal insulation properties, suit polyimide foams well for both underwater and aerospace applications. For example, in marine settings, the low density and thermal resistance help regulate temperatures and reduce weight in submerged components. The material’s buoyancy also aids in structural support and flotation for equipment used at sea. In aerospace systems, the lightweight polyimide foam reduces launch weight and insulates cryogenic fuel tanks during spaceflight.

Emerging technologies also stand to benefit from polyimide foams. Their ability to withstand heat and their low density make them ideal for integration into electric vehicles. The high-temperature tolerance allows polyimide foams to be placed near engine and fuel cell components that generate significant heat. Moreover, their low density improves fuel efficiency in these applications by reducing overall weight.

The report provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of the global polyimide foams market, furnishing key industry stakeholders with quantitative insights critical for strategic decision-making. Salient quantitative data presented includes total market size valuations, segmented market share percentages across relevant product categories, historic and projected growth rates, and precise forecasts customized for the polyimide foams sector.

Research Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the following segments within the polyimide foams market:
Type: thermoplastic, and thermosetting
End user: aerospace, building and construction, marine and submarine, oil and gas, and others
Region: Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World

Polyimide foams represent an important segment of polymeric materials and have found widespread adoption globally across various industries. Based on their molecular structure, polyimide foams can be categorized into two types – thermoplastic and thermosetting. Thermosetting polyimide foams currently account for the largest share of the global polyimide foams market. This is attributable to their superior attributes including excellent chemical resistance, high mechanical strength, and durability. The crosslinked network structure of thermosetting polyimide foams restricts molecular motions, enhancing their thermal and dimensional stability. Their rigid foam morphology also provides uniform insulating behavior and resistance to heat transfer. As a result, thermosetting polyimide foams are the preferred material choice in applications where robustness and stability under extreme conditions are critical.

In comparison, thermoplastic polyimide foams possess a linear, uncrosslinked molecular configuration. While simpler to shape and mold, they lack the high-performance mechanical properties of thermosetting foams. Thermoplastic varieties are unable to withstand prolonged exposure to extreme environments and exhibit lower resistance to chemicals. These deficiencies make them unsuitable for the demands of cutting-edge technologies and challenging industrial applications.

Polyimide foams find diverse applications across several major industries including aerospace, building and construction, marine, oil and gas, and automotive. Of these, the oil and gas sector currently represents the largest market for these specialty foams. The extensive use of polyimide foams in oil and gas stems from their exceptional thermal insulation properties coupled with mechanical strength. These attributes allow polyimide foams to provide effective insulation and protection for piping systems and storage tanks even when exposed to extreme temperatures, pressures, and corrosive chemicals. Their lightweight nature is also beneficial for offshore oil platforms and marine vessels where excess weight needs to be minimized.

Moving forward, the electric vehicle market is poised to drive substantial growth in polyimide foam adoption. Stringent regulations introduced in China in 2020 necessitate improved thermal management and fire safety in EV battery systems. Polyimide foams are uniquely suited to meet these challenges due to their high heat tolerance and flame resistance. By preventing thermal runaway, polyimide foams can minimize battery overheating and reduce fire hazards. Their low density is also useful for offsetting the weight of EV battery packs. With EVs rising in popularity globally, the automotive industry is expected to utilize increasing quantities of polyimide foams to enable battery safety and efficiency.

In terms of geographical distribution, the global polyimide foams market can be segmented into four key regions – the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Of these, Asia-Pacific accounted for the highest share of the polyimide foams market in 2022. Asia-Pacific’s dominance in this industry is attributed primarily to the massive shipbuilding industry established across countries like China, Japan, and South Korea. The region houses several of the world’s largest shipyards, which utilize substantial quantities of polyimide foams for their lightweight and insulating properties in marine vessel construction. This widespread use in shipbuilding bolsters Asia-Pacific’s position as the foremost polyimide foam market.

Moving forward, Asia-Pacific is also forecasted to drive strong growth in the global demand for polyimide foams. This will be fueled by the rapid rise of electric vehicles in the region, especially in China which represents the world’s largest EV market currently. Stringent regulations surrounding battery thermal runaway and fire safety have already been enacted in China, mandating improved thermal management materials like polyimide foams in EV battery packs. With EVs gaining immense popularity in Asia, manufacturers will require vast quantities of specialized polyimide foams to meet exacting standards and ensure passenger safety. Owing to these developments, the mature EV market in Asia-Pacific is poised to stimulate polyimide foam adoption throughout the region.

Competitive Landscape

The global polyimide foams market is characterized by intense competition, with several prominent companies vying for market share. Among the key players in this industry are Boyd Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc., I.S.T Corporation, Jiangsu Zhongke Polymer New Material Industry Technology Research Institute, Kangda New Materials (Group) Co. Ltd., Polymer Technologies Inc., Qingdao Advanced Marine Material Technology Co. Ltd. (AMMT), SUZUKO Corporation, Trelleborg AB, UBE Corporation, and Zigong Zhongtiansheng New Material Technology Co. Ltd. These companies play a crucial role in driving market growth by actively contributing to innovation and product development within the polyimide foams sector.

These leading companies have established themselves as industry leaders through their continuous efforts to enhance their product offerings and meet the evolving needs of customers. They invest heavily in research and development to develop cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing processes that improve the performance and quality of polyimide foams. By focusing on innovation, these companies are able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Polyimide Foams Industry Developments

▸ July 11, 2018 – Boyd Corporation, a prominent global provider of sophisticated thermal management and environmental sealing solutions, revealed today the signing of a definitive agreement to be acquired by Goldman Sachs affiliates. This significant development follows a successful three-year collaboration with Genstar Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm.

Key Questions Answered

What is the projected global market size of polyimide foams by 2028?
Which type segment generates the highest revenue?
In the polyimide foams market, which end user segment attains the foremost position?
Which region segment generates the most substantial revenue?
Who are the key players with the largest market share in the polyimide foams market?
What is the estimated global market size for the polyimide foams market in 2023?
What are the main factors driving the growth of the polyimide foams market?
What is the expected incremental growth of the polyimide foams market during the forecast period?

Table of Contents

1. Scope and Methodology
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Report Scope
1.3 Research Methodology
2. Executive Summary
3. Market Overview
4. Global Polyimide Foams Market – Type Analysis
4.1 Thermoplastic
4.2 Thermosetting
5. Global Polyimide Foams Market – End User Analysis
5.1 Aerospace
5.2 Building and construction
5.3 Marine and submarine
5.4 Oil and gas
5.5 Others
6. Global Polyimide Foams Market – Region Analysis
6.1 Americas
6.2 Europe
6.3 Asia-Pacific
6.4 Rest of World
7. Patents Analysis
8. Competitive Landscape
8.1 Competitive Scenario
8.2 Market Positioning/Share Analysis
8.3 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
9. Company Profiles
9.1 Boyd Corporation
9.2 DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
9.3 I.S.T Corporation
9.4 Jiangsu Zhongke Polymer New Material Industry Technology Research Institute
9.5 Kangda New Materials (Group) Co., Ltd.
9.6 Polymer Technologies, Inc.
9.7 Qingdao Advanced Marine Material Technology Co., Ltd. (AMMT)
9.8 SUZUKO Corporation
9.9 Trelleborg AB
9.10 UBE Corporation
9.11 Zigong Zhongtiansheng New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
APPENDIX
DISCLAIMER

Companies Mentioned

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes:
Boyd Corporation
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
I.S.T Corporation
Jiangsu Zhongke Polymer New Material Industry Technology Research Institute
Kangda New Materials (Group) Co., Ltd.
Polymer Technologies, Inc.
Qingdao Advanced Marine Material Technology Co., Ltd. (AMMT)
SUZUKO Corporation
Trelleborg AB
UBE Corporation
Zigong Zhongtiansheng New Material Technology Co., Ltd.