Opaque Polymers Market Expected to Reach $6.5 Billion by 2031—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Opaque Polymers Market," The opaque polymers market size was valued at $2.4 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $6.5 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2022 to 2031.

Opaque polymers are particularly designed for use in paints and varnishes to increase concealing characteristics and whiteness. They are the non-film forming aqueous emulsion polymers, which contribute to lower raw material costs in trade sales coatings by augmenting the concealing offered by the main pigment. The use of opaque polymers in paint and coating formulations aids in the improvement of paint optical characteristics. The capacity of a paint to obliterate the color difference of a substrate is described as opaque polymer opacity.

Opaque polymers are extensively used in personal care and detergents. They are utilized for sphericity and particle size homogeneity, which are responsible for the ball-bearing effect in creams and lotions, resulting in a luxurious feel and smooth texture. Opaque polymers personal care products are available in particle sizes ranging from 10 to 1200 microns and are delivered as a dry powder that may be readily blended with paints, adhesives, creams, lotions, and oils. Opaque polymers personal care solutions help to fight ageing by removing lines and wrinkles and produce a younger appearance to skin.

Besides, opaque polymers are used in liquid fabric wash, detergent cake, laundry additives, industrial and institutional detergents. Spray-drying polymer dispersions generate opaque polymers particles, which are effective in liquid washing systems, offering great clarity, and cleaning efficacy. This polymer can deliver exceptional stain removal enhancing performance in laundry pretreatment systems. Opaque polymers detergents can be used for washing of clothes even if the water is hard. Essential enzymes are used in opaque polymers detergents to dissolve protein-based stains, bleaches are used to de-color stains and add power to cleaning agents, and blue dyes are used to counteract yellowing.

In addition, opaque polymers are used in home care as toileting, catheter/stoma care, house cleaning, and personal hygiene. Opaque polymers make home decors clean, protect from germs, prevent bad odor, change in appearance, and keep in good condition. In automobiles, opaque polymers are found in tires, interior and exterior parts, and engine components as they are lightweight, provide durability and wear resistance, reduce emissions, and help make driving safe.

The growth of the global opaque polymers industry is majorly attributed to rising demand from personal care industry. Personal care products containing opaque polymers are used on the skin, nails, hair, lips, and external genital organs, as well as oral hygiene such as teeth and oral mucous membrane. Opaque polymers personal care solutions fight ageing by eliminating lines and wrinkles and giving skin a youthful appearance. Soaps and shampoos, as well as moisturizer, toothpaste, facial tissue, cleaning pods, shaving creams, lotions, and other personal care items are made from opaque polymers.

Further, surge in demand for architectural paints and coatings is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period. Opaque polymers are used in architectural paints and coatings for residential construction, which primarily comprise architectural and functional items such as paints, stains, lacquers, primers, and cleansers. Architectural paints and coatings containing opaque polymers are used on many portions of buildings and are categorized as external wall, interior wall, ceiling, floor, and roof waterproof coatings, among others.

Opaque polymers can be transparent, translucent, and opaque, based on their crystallinity, which are utilized on the exteriors and interiors of buildings, where they are commonly referred to as exterior wall coatings, external masonry coatings in wall paints, or deck finishes. Styrene acrylic-based opaque polymers are increasingly preferred for the development of paints and coatings. Opaque polymers are hollow spherical pigments used as ingredients in paint and coating formulas to provide opacity, gloss, brightness, and light scattering effects. In water-based paints and coatings, opaque polymers operate as emulsion polymers with a water-filled void. Light in the opaque polymers is efficiently dispersed due to the difference in refractive index between air and the surrounding polymer, contributing to film opacity.

However, availability of substitute is projected to hinder the expansion of the market. On the contrary, growth of building & construction industry expected to offer ample growth opportunities for the opaque polymers market.

The opaque polymers market is segmented into application and region. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into paints and coatings, personal care, detergents and others. Region wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The opaque polymers market share is analyzed across all significant regions and countries. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region with the highest CAGR. The growth is attributed to surge in demand for personal care products in the region owing to a rise in the number of updated products with improved efficacy and steady investments by international industry participants.

The major players operating in the global opaque polymers market include Arkema S.A., Ashland Global Holdings Inc, Cray Valley, Croda International Plc, En-Tech Polymer Co.Ltd, Esaar International,  Junneng Chemicals,  Hankuck Latices Co. Ltd.,  Organik Kimya,  Paras Enterprises, Shrayans Coating Ltd., Visen Industries Limited,  Opaque Ceramics, The Dow Chemicals Company and Zschimmer & Schwarz Chemie GmbH.

COVID-19 Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic moderately impacted the opaque polymers market across the globe. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the health awareness among the populace has grown and the personal care industry has grown during the pandemic. Opaque polymers are in high demand in the personal care and detergents industries, which is expected to considerably increase demand for the opaque polymers market. During the pandemic, increased public knowledge about the advantages of using organic personal care is projected to foster the demand for opaque polymers globally.

Key findings of the study:

• By application, the paints and coatings segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market in 2021.
• By region, Asia-Pacific was the highest revenue contributor
• China was the highest revenue contributor to the market in 2021, growing with a CAGR of 12.3%.
• South Korea and Japan are expected to witness considerable CAGRs of 11.5% and 10.9%, respectively, during the forecast period.