Numerous Benefits of Nylon Expands Application Possibilities in the Automotive Sector as Engineering Designs Move Towards Weight & Emission Reduction and Fuel Efficiency
Growing value of nylon-based thermoplastics in
applications ranging from textiles, carpets, electricals, consumer electronics,
to packaging is poised to drive the global Nylon market to reach 10.9 million metric tons by 2024. Automotive
applications standout as a key driver of growth spurred by the growing role of
lightweight composite nylon resins in building fuel efficient and environment
friendly cars.
Nylon polymer is the product obtained from reacting
monomers such as acid/amines, lactams or stoichiometric mixtures of diacids and
diamines. These mixtures can be polymerized simultaneously to form copolymers.
Polymers of Nylon could be mixed with various additives to obtain variations in
its properties. Nylon consists of repeating units which are linked by peptide
bonds, and referred as polyamide. Nylon, a thermoplastic silky material, was
first commercially used by DuPont chemical company to produce toothbrush in
1938. Since
the launch of nylon, it has been influencing daily life of people as most of
the products from bed sheets, rugs, carpets, and umbrella to alarm clocks,
breakfast bowls, toothbrushes are made of nylon. Nylon resins offer improved
performance properties such as low friction coefficient; higher tensile
strength; heat and chemical resistance; and excellent abrasion. Consequently,
nylon is extensively employed in engineering plastics with use across various
industries, including films for food packaging; industrial components and electronics;
automotive industry; as well as recreational, carpeting, fabric and sportswear
equipment. The two leading grades of nylon, Nylon 6,6 and Nylon 6, account for majority demand due
to heat resistance, premium stiffness and strength.
When compared to Nylon 66, heat resistance of Nylon 6
is lower. However, Nylon 6 has several advantages when it comes to aesthetics. Nylon
6 can be easily dyed and is also less expensive. Nylon 6 is used widely in
packaging film production, because of which it has the largest share in the
overall use of engineering plastic-nylon resin worldwide. For both Nylon 6 and
Nylon 6,6, automotive applications represent the major end-use segment. Other
important end-users of nylon resins include the electrical and electronics industry,
and appliances manufacturing sector. Research is currently ongoing for
inventing ecofriendly production processes for Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 in view of
the polymers’ growing demand. However, bio-based production is still an
emerging technology and has not been able to make major headway in the
industry.
The Automobile Industry is the central outlet for
nylon. Nylon is used primarily for airbags and under-the-hood applications,
followed by electronics, textiles, cable coating, films, carpet and industrial
yarns. Consumers exhibit greater preference for Nylon 6,6 due to formability
and chemical and heat resistance properties. Additionally, Nylon 6,6 benefits
auto manufacturers by offering improved characteristics for radiator end-tanks,
fan shrouds, intake manifolds, air cleaners and fuel vapor canisters. Replacement
of metal parts in industrial products and motor vehicles is expected to fuel
advancements based on nylon’s rigidity, higher strength, and abrasion and
chemical resistance. Nylon, predominantly across reinforced grades, is
supplementing die-cast aluminum and other metals across under the hood
automotive applications such as fan shrouds, air-intake manifolds and valve
covers. Factors impeding growth include competition from engineering resins and
specialty polypropylene grades. High-heat specialty nylon grades, for instance,
polyphthalamide are expected to capture share from engineering plastics in
demanding applications.
As stated by the new market research report on Nylon, Asia-Pacific region, driven by China,
represents the largest regional market worldwide, followed by Europe.
Asia-Pacific is also forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market with a
CAGR of 4.4% over the analysis period. Growth in the region is driven by strong
economic development, and emergence of the region as the manufacturing hub for
the world. On the other hand, developed markets such as the US, and Europe are
forecast to witness subdued growth owing to market saturation. Nylon 6
represents the dominant resin, but favorable properties of Nylon 6,6 augur for
faster growth of the resin. However, availability of key feedstocks is expected
to subdue growth of Nylon 6,6 to a certain extent.
Major players in the market include AdvanSix Inc.,
Arkema SA, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, BASF SE, Beaver Manufacturing
Co., Inc., DOMO Chemicals, DowDuPont Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Formosa
Plastics Group, Huntsman Corporation, Koch Industries Inc., INVISTA, Lanxess
AG, Li Heng Chemical Fibre Technologies Limited, Li Peng Enterprise Co. Ltd.,
MiniFIBERS Inc., Nexis Fibers AG, Nylstar SA, RadiciGroup, Royal DSM N.V.,
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Toray Industries Inc., Ube Industries Ltd., AND
Zhejiang Jinsheng Holding Group Co. Ltd. among others.
The research report titled "Nylon – Market Analysis, Trends, and
Forecasts" announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends,
growth drivers, innovations and launches, and strategic industry activities various
players. The report provides market estimates and projections in Thousand
Metric Tons for Nylon for all major geographic markets including the US,
Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of
Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Rest of
Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), and
Rest of World. By type, the market is analyzed by Nylon 6, and Nylon 6,6.
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