Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Analysis

Global Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Overview

The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Size was valued at USD 211.10 Billion in 2023. The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market industry is projected to grow from USD 233.81 Billion in 2024 to USD 478.15 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.35% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The growing requirement for footwear in both urban and rural areas as well as the expanding research opportunities for footwear products, are the significant market drivers augmenting the growth of the market.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Trends

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  The growing need for E-TPU materials in sporting and recreational goods drives market growth

  
  

E-TPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane) materials are utilized more frequently in creating sporting and recreational goods because of their distinctive qualities. E-TPU is a kind of foam material that is perfect for usage in shoes, protective gear, and other products that need impact resistance because of its great energy return, cushioning, and durability. There are several reasons for the increasing demand for E-TPU materials in sporting and recreational items. First of all, customers are becoming more health-conscious and seeking goods that can keep them active and injury-free. Excellent shock absorption is a feature of E-TPU materials, which can aid in lowering the risk of accidents while participating in sports and other physical activities.

The advantages of E-TPU materials in terms of sustainability are driving up their use by manufacturers. E-TPU foams are a sustainable option for businesses aiming to lower their carbon footprint because they can be recycled and produced from renewable resources. Last but not least, the adaptability of E-TPU materials allows for their usage in various sports and leisure products, from running shoes to protective padding for extreme sports. As a result, they provide manufacturers wishing to enhance the performance and longevity of their goods with an economical and effective alternative. Overall, as more people become aware of the advantages of this cutting-edge material, the demand for E-TPU materials in sports and leisure products is projected to increase. On September 23, 2021, Hotter and BASF SE teamed together to enhance energy return in the industry-leading comfort shoes produced by the footwear brand.

Manufacturers of E-TPU have a lot of opportunities in the medical sector. Catheters, medical equipment, orthodontic products, and wound care items are just a few medical applications where E-TPU is used. When choosing materials for medical items, safety and comfort are top considerations because some of the medical products are introduced into the human body. Materials with patient-friendly characteristics like flexibility and biocompatibility are therefore taken into consideration. E-TPU has excellent chemical and mechanical properties and biocompatibility, which are crucial in medical applications. E-TPU is superior to PVC in robustness, low temperature, oil, chemical, and wear resistance. Due to its ability to be both hard when injected and flexible while inside the body, E-TPU is very responsive to temperature. Due to these characteristics, E-TPU is now more frequently used in medical applications.

E-TPU materials are used more frequently in the automobile sector, including in-car seats, headrests, and steering wheels. The safety and comfort of passengers can be increased using E-TPU materials, which offer excellent shock absorption. Construction is another sector where E-TPU materials are being used more and more. They provide good resistance to weathering, chemicals, and UV rays and can be utilized in insulating materials, roofing membranes, and other building products.

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Segment Insights

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Type Insights

The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market segmentation, based on type, includes Polyester, Polyether, and Polycaprolactone. The polyester segment is expected to lead the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market throughout the forecast period. One key factor promoting this segment's growth is polyester's superior chemical and abrasion resistance. Additionally, polyester has a good physical equilibrium, making PVC and other polar polymers suitable with polyester TPUs. E-TPU offers excellent abrasion resistance and a good balance of physical properties, making it perfect for use in polyblends. It is also unaffected by oils and chemicals. They also add value by giving you more attributes.

The Polyether segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market during the forecast period. E-TPU with a polyether base is frequently used to make footwear, sporting goods, safety gear, and other items that need to be impact resistant. Due to its distinct qualities, including flexibility, toughness, and resilience, polyether is the material of choice for creating E-TPU foam.

Figure 1: Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market, by Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Raw Material Insights

The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market segmentation, based on raw material, includes Polyols, Diisocyanate, and Diols. The Diisocyanate category is expected to hold the major share of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market over the forecast period. The key advantage of diisocyanate is the provision of reactivity and curing qualities to E-TPU, which is anticipated to drive the segment's growth. A class of chemical building blocks known as diisocyanates makes a wide range of polyurethane products.

The Polyols segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market throughout the forecast period. The polyurethane matrix that makes up the E-TPU foam is created when polyols, isocyanates, and other additives are mixed together. The density of the E-TPU foam can be adjusted by selecting the appropriate polyol. A low molecular weight polyol will result in a foam with a higher density, whereas a high molecular weight polyol will result in a foam with a lower density.

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Application Insights

The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market segmentation, based on the application, includes Automotive, Footwear, Sports and leisure, Electronics, Logistics, Furniture, Engineering, and Others. The Footwear category is expected to hold the major share of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market over the forecast period. Expanded TPU cell foam has several advantages for shoe soles: lightweight, shock impact absorption, elastic and rebound effect, softness, and resilience. When leaping or running, elastic and lightweight E-TPU foam beads give users the desired rebound effect, which improves running form. In addition to softness, expanded TPU foam also has a highly reactive resilience capability. Expanded TPU, a closed-cell foam, reduces the stress effect on the foot during jogging or running, which is also anticipated to support this segment's revenue growth.

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Regional Insights

By region, the analysis offers market insights into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. The North American Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market is expected to lead the market throughout the forecast period. This is due to the expanding industrial production sector and the significant need for durable and lightweight automobiles. The market in this region is also anticipated to increase as a result of the rising popularity of 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM), as well as the increasing demand for E-TPU in the medical industry due to its qualities of bio-stability, biocompatibility, and processing adaptability.

Further, the key countries considered in the market report are The US, Canada, France, German, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: EXPANDED THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE (E-TPU) MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market accounts for a significant market share. This is a result of an increase in TPU foam demand, particularly in the automotive and shipbuilding industries. TPU is frequently used in cars to lighten them up, improve fuel efficiency while maintaining comfort and safety, and offer superior chemical and weather resistance. Further, the German Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market held the largest market share, and the UK Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. One of the main drivers driving market expansion is the steadily expanding building and construction, flooring, footwear, and packaging industries in the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, China’s Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market held the largest market share, and the Indian Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

The rise of the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market is being driven by key industry players that are investing significantly in R&D to expand their product offerings. Significant market developments include the launch of new products, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Participants in the sector are also making a number of strategic moves to increase their footprint. To expand and prosper in a more cutthroat and difficult market environment, the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) sector must offer reasonably priced products.

Local production to cut operating costs is one of the main tactics manufacturers use in the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market to service clients and grow the market sector. The Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) industry has recently provided some of the biggest benefits to the Footwear industry. Major companies in the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market, including BASF SE, Huntsman International LLC, Plymouth Foam, Ningbo GMF New Material Technology Co. Ltd., and others, are trying to surge market demand by spending on research and development processes.

The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is dedicated to fostering a sustainable future. The company's unrivaled technology opens up possibilities at the molecular level, resulting in measurable, sustainable solutions that help the world Move Cleaner, Create Smarter, and Live Better. Every day, users of the company's solutions improve billions of lives worldwide. Lubrizol, founded in 1928, employs over 8,800 people and owns and runs over 100 manufacturing sites, sales offices, and technical offices globally. The new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production line was introduced in December 2022 at The Lubrizol Corporation's Songjiang manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. This move marks another significant step in Lubrizol Engineered Polymers' investment in the Asia Pacific, increasing the company's capacity to produce TPU and bolstering local business assistance.

A leader in polyurethanes on a scale is Wanhua Chemical. The business strives for product quality, customer service, and innovation excellence. The business is the biggest producer of MDI in the entire globe and the only one in China with exclusive intellectual property rights for producing both ADI and MDI. Wanhua has expertise in MDI, modified MDI, and aliphatic isocyanates R&D, production, and commercialization. Wanhua is expanding its technology portfolio as they get bigger. In addition to aliphatic isocyanate, waterborne polyurethane resin, waterborne acrylic latex, specialized amines, and families of petrochemical chemicals, including acrylic acid and acrylic ester, neopentyl glycol, and butanol, Wanhua now provide innovative coatings solutions. Wanhua has regional offices in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Japan, Russia, and India, in addition to five manufacturing locations spread across the globe. Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd. announced the creation of medical-grade TPUs based on polyether and radiopaque-grade TPUs in January 2023 to offer products for medical applications, including extrusion tubes, injection molding accessories, and cast films.

Key Companies in the Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) market include

• BASF SE


• Huntsman International LLC


• Plymouth Foam


• Ningbo GMF New Material Technology Co. Ltd.


• Guo Sheng Enterprise Co. Ltd.


• Miracll Chemical Co. Ltd.


• American Polyfilm Inc. (API)


• The Lubrizo Corporation


• Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd


• Royal DSM

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Industry Developments

August 2022: The Lubrizol Corp., a Berkshire Hathaway firm, unveiled its new thermoplastic polyurethane production line at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Songjiang manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. For Lubrizol Engineered Polymers, including the ESTANE TPU portfolio, this new line is anticipated to expand TPU manufacturing capacity in order to fulfill growing demand from industries like automotive, footwear, and electronics.

April 2022: Covestro AG announced the development of its production capabilities for Platilon thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Films, together with the corresponding infrastructure and logistics. The new project competition is scheduled to take place at the end of 2023.

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Market Segmentation

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Type Outlook

• Polyester


• Polyether


• Polycaprolactone

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Raw Material Outlook

• Polyols


• Diisocyanate


• Diols

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Application Outlook

• Automotive


• Footwear


• Sports and leisure


• Electronics


• Logistics


• Furniture


• Engineering


• Others

Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU) Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America