Polymer Market for Waste Management Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (PVC, EVOH, HDPE, LDPE, EPDM), By Region (North America, Europe, MEA, APAC), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global polymer market for waste management size was valued at USD 3.69 billion in 2017 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) exhibits features, such as easy installation and good thermal stability, during exposure. Thus, it is expected to remain the favorable choice as raw material in the waste management systems. The LDPE segment is projected to witness a substantial growth over the upcoming years on account of its increasing usage in the packaging sector. Thus, growing packaging, construction, and automotive industries is likely to fluctuate the product supply for manufacturing waste management systems.

It is used in the manufacturing of packaging films, dispensing bottles, and milk cartons on account of the product’s food-grade quality and low reactive nature. It is also used in producing wire and cable insulation and injection molding due to its high thermal conductivity and resistance to chemical reaction. Increasing consumption of polymer resins, such as Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), polyamide, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene, in automotive, packaging, and electronics industries is likely to reduce the raw material supply over the forecast period.

However, rising incorporation of bio-based polymers owing to growing concerns over Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is projected to encourage companies to develop advanced products. This will support the growth of the global market. Over the recent years, EPA and the European Commission have framed several regulations and standards intended for theeffectuation of waste management practices in mining, oil and& gas, and manufacturing sectors. With respect to this, geosynthetic materials are projected to find application in construction of roads, pavements, and waste management facilities as a shielding medium to control erosion and to provide environmental protection.

Moreover, increased spending in construction sector in India and several Middle East countries on account of regulatory support for infrastructure enhancement is anticipated to augment the demand for geosynthetic materials. This, in turn, is anticipated to propel the polymer market for waste management over the next few years. Ethylene is one of the basic raw materials used for the production of HDPE, LDPE, CSPE, PP, and PVC. Therefore, volatility in its pricing has a huge impact on the market. Crude oil and natural gas are the primary sources of ethylene, which is produced through steam cracking of hydrocarbons in petrochemical processes.

Volatile nature of crude oil is one of the major factors responsible for fluctuations in the prices of ethylene. However, over the past few years, hydraulic fracturing process has played a crucial role in triggering the production output of unconventional sources including tight oil and shale gas in various countries, such as U.S. and Canada. Therefore, growing shale gas production on a global level is expected to boost the application of hydraulic fracturing, which, in turn, is likely to fuel the overall market in the near future.

Product Insights

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is increasingly used as a raw material for the manufacturing of waste management systems owing to its characteristics, such as excellent mechanical strength, effective UV resistance, and good flexibility. In addition, these polymeric materials are used in fish ponds and tanks as a lining agent to prevent the migration of liquid and gas. Waste management systems, such as geomembrane, use EPDM with curing agents and processing chemicals to manufacture larger sheet sizes, which induces properties including superior weathering resistance and good elastic elongation.

On the other hand, higher costs of EPDM than HDPE, LDPE and PP are expected to have a negative impact on the market. The EPDM product segment is expected to maintain high market penetration in developed regions owing to high market visibility of the product in construction and environment management sectors at domestic level. PVC segment is also likely to witness considerable growth on account of the properties offered by PVC-based systems, such as high degree of flexibility, reduced expansion coefficient, and excellent elongation percentage. In addition, these types of polymers provide easy seaming characteristics and excellent lay flat behavior, which is anticipated to contribute to the segment growth.

Regional Insights

North America PVC-based waste management market volume is expected to witness a CAGR of 2.9% over the forecast period. Growing mining activities for extracting silver in Mexico is expected to boost the demand for PVC waste management systems in heap leach mining applications. In addition, rising production of unconventional sources, such as shale gas and tight oil, in Canada is expected to increase the application of water management in offshore wells, thereby, fueling the demand for waste management systems. Federal and state agencies in U.S. have mandated the use of geosynthetics in numerous applications, such as for sediment control and silt fence fabric for erosion.

Under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has mandated the application of geosynthetics in landfills. These regulations are likely to have a positive impact on the market development. Furthermore, waste management systems, such as geomembrane, act as a lining agent and offers covering for landfill in municipal waste, hazardous waste, and coal ash containment. Stringent regulations aimed at implementation of waste management practices in municipal and industrial sectors by the government of U.K. are expected to promote the applications of geomembrane. This, in turn, is anticipated to augment the overall market growth over the next few years.

Polymer Market for Waste Management Share Insights

Key companies in the market are focusing on increasing their share along with profitability through innovations. The industry is majorly dependent on raw material manufacturers and suppliers, who are concentrated in Japan, U.S., Germany, and China. Increased production capacity with the threat of backward and forward integration by major companies to distribute polymers and to capture share is expected to result in strong industry rivalry over the forecast period. In addition, emergence of small-scale firms in U.S., India, Japan, and China is anticipated to have a major impact on the industry competition.

This is also likely to affect the global supply-demand scenario as companies are focusing on improving their product portfolio to sustain the competition. Rapid expansion of applications sectors, such as breathable films, conveyor belts & pulleys, home appliances, wearable devices, and wires and cables, in various countries is projected to fuel the product demand. Some of the prominent companies in the global market are ExxonMobil Corporation, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, BASF SE, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., and Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global polymer market for waste management report on the basis of product and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • EVOH

  • HDPE

  • LDPE

  • EPDM

  • PVC

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa