Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Market

The global liquid crystal polymer market size was valued at USD 1.1 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period, 2021–2028. The growth of the market is attributed to the increasing demand for consumer goods and durable electrical and electronic products including tablets, smart phones, and personal computers.
 

Liquid crystal polymer is a variant of an aromatic polymer, which are crystalline in nature. It has various properties such as soft elasticity, resistant to fire, performs better under harsh environments, anisotropic swelling, stability, and thermal actuation. Composites, ceramics, plastics, and metals materials could be replaced by liquid crystal polymer due to its resistance to fire, weathering, chemicals, and radiation.

Liquid crystal polymer acts as a photo alignment agents, which increases the functionality and properties for glass coatings and plastic substrate. Rapid growth of the medical industry is anticipated to boost the market expansion in the coming years. Liquid crystal polymer is gaining attention in the packaging of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

• Rising demand to produce ultra-thin electrical components for engineering resins is projected to fuel the market growth during the forecast period.
• Growing demand for consumer goods is estimated to push the market growth during the forecast period.
• High price of liquid crystal polymer is expected to hamper the market expansion.
• Lower warp strength and higher warpage in liquid crystal polymer act as major factor that can impede the market growth.
• Wide application of liquid crystal polymer in various end-user industries is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players.
• R&D investment and technological advancement in liquid crystal polymer is projected to offer significant opportunities for the market players.

Scope of the Report

The report on the global liquid crystal polymer market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Market Segment Insights:

Thermotropic segment is projected to account for a large market share
Based on types, the global liquid crystal polymer market is divided into lyotropic and thermotropic. The thermotropic segment is expected to constitute a key share of the market during the forecast period owing to high compatibility of thermotropic with the manufacturing process of semiconductors.

Thermotropic liquid crystal polymer is produced by heating a polymer above its melting transition point. It is highly used in various applications as optical couplers, display materials, blend additives and information storage materials. However, the Lyotropic segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period due to its excellent chemical resistance, outstanding electrical and mechanical properties.

Electrical and electronics segment is projected to hold a key market share
On the basis of applications, the market is segmented into automotive, industrial machinery, electrical and electronics, and others. The electrical and electronics segment is expected to represent a key share of the market in the coming years due to increasing demand for various electrical and electronic components including lamp sockets, hybrid integrated circuits, semiconductors, and heater plug connectors. On the other hand, the automotive segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period owing to higher performance materials, rigidity, lesser noise, and high tensile strength.
 

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market
On the basis of regions, the global liquid crystal polymer market is categorized as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The market of Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at an impressive CAGR during the forecast period. The regional market growth can be attributed to increasing manufacturing capabilities and rising investments in R&D.

Growing automotive and electrical & electronics industries in Asia Pacific is anticipated to boost the market expansion during the forecast period. China holds the largest market for electrical and electronics industry. On the other hand, the market of North America is expected to exhibit a rapid growth rate in the coming years due to rising demand of liquid crystal polymer from automotive industry.
 

Segments

Segments Covered in the Report
The global liquid crystal polymer market has been segmented on the basis of

Types

• Lyotropic
• Thermotropic

Applications

• Automotive
• Industrial Machinery
• Electrical and Electronics
• Others

Regions

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Middle East & Africa

Key Players

• Toray Industries Inc.
• Celanese Corporation
• Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Polyplastics Co. Ltd.
• Solvay SA
• Chang Chun Plastics Co. Ltd.
• Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry Ltd.

Competitive Landscape

Key players competing in the global liquid crystal polymer market include Toray Industries Inc.; Celanese Corporation; Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.; Polyplastics Co. Ltd.; Solvay SA; Chang Chun Plastics Co. Ltd.; and Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry Ltd. Some of these players are focused on several market strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, capacity expansion, and product launches to enhance their market shares.