EPDM Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

The EPDM Market size was valued at US$4.45 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate CAGAR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2030. EPDM is Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer which is a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and a small amount of non-conjugated diene monomers (3-9%) that provides cross-linking sites for vulcanization. It is an extremely durable and synthetic elastomer which is highly used in low-slope buildings for roofing. The automotive industry is a significant consumer of EPDM due to its properties such as heat resistance, weather resistance, and durability. With the growing demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles, there is an increasing use of EPDM in automotive components such as weatherstrips, seals, and hoses. Additionally, EPDM is being increasingly utilized in electric vehicles (EVs) for applications such as cable insulation and gaskets, further driving market growth. Environmental concerns and regulations are prompting a shift towards green and sustainable EPDM formulations. Manufacturers are focusing on developing bio-based EPDM derived from renewable resources, such as bio-ethylene derived from sugarcane or corn. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the recyclability and biodegradability of EPDM products, aligning with the global push towards sustainability and circular economy principles.

The report: “EPDM Market Forecast (2024-2030)”, by IndustryARC covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) market.

By Form – Sheet, Sponge, Granules, Beading, and Others.

By Packaging Type – Bag, Cartoon, Packet, Bundles, and Others.

By Type – Open Cell and Closed Cell.

By Application – Window and Door Seal, Gaskets, Wires and Cables, Lubricant Addictive, Tires and Tubes, Roofing, Cooling System Hoses, Waterproofing Membranes, Floor Coverings, Shoe Sole, Electrical Insulation, Roofing and Waterproofing (Façade and Parapet Sealants, Expansion Joints, Pool, Tank Liners and Others), and Others.

By End-Use Industry – Automotive (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicle, Heavy Commercial Vehicle), Building and Construction (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), Consumer Gods (Sports and recreation surfaces, Garden Hoses, High-Performance shoes and Others), Aerospace (Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, General Aviation), Oil and Gas, Chemical Industry, Electrical and Electronics, HVAC (Pressure Switch Tubing, Compressor Grommets, Panel Gaskets and Seals, and Others), and Others.

By Geography - North America (U.S, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Others), APAC (China, Japan India, SK, Aus and 

Others), South America (Brazil, Argentina and others) and RoW (Middle east and Africa)

• EPDM is mostly used in construction and automotive industries due to its exceptional resistance to environmental factors like UV, Ozone and general weathering.

• EPDM is heat and whether resistant and ideal for roofing material. It is a recycled product, which is sustainable for the environment as well.

• Thailand is the largest producer and supplier of EPDM worldwide over recent decades with producers like CALDIC and Rubber Recycle Co. and many more.

Open-cell EPDM sheets held the largest EPDM market share in 2023 and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. EPDM sheets are open cell rubber sheets used for various purposes like gaskets, seals and protective padding. The open cell sheets are extremely soft and compressible, used for high flexibility and recovery after compression. The open cell EPDM is the perfect foam sheet where there is plenty of sunlight and other elements like UV and ozone. With increasing altitude fewer atmospheres are available to absorb UV radiation. With every 1000 m in altitude, UV levels increase by approximately 10%. UV rays and ozone rays tend to harm the products after some time of exposure, but not in the case of open cell foam sheets. It is actually designed to have a longer life span when exposed to such conditions. The main reason for its flexibility is the open cell rubber foam. The cell structure is made up of tiny air pockets that have gaps between them. When any pressure is applied to its surface, it compresses itself and has the ability to revert back to its original shape, as soon as the pressure is removed. At 80% compression this material can create an air and watertight seal. This property helps the EPDM rubber foam to maintain its life span suitable in applications that require constant pressure. It is used in creating a seal in irregular and uneven gaps, interior and exterior sealing applications, sound proofing for buildings, foam protective packaging, low-cost furniture upholsters and vapour, moisture and air permeable applications.

Automotive sector held a significant share in global EPDM market in 2023 with a share of over 27%. EPDM is mainly used in automotive and industrial applications. It is used in automotive industry due to its properties like thermal and oxidative stability, chemical resistance, noise reduction property and many more. It also bonds quickly with metal, which gives a strong barrier against weather conditions, road conditions, engine vibrations and environment. It is also steam and water resistant with low electrical conductivity which makes it even more popular. In automotive industry, it is used for various purposes like window and door seals, protective pads, electrical gaskets and many more. As the automotive industry is one of the fastest evolving industries, its innovations are also up to the mark. This is the reason; of rapid growth seen in the automobile designs to meet the higher requirements. As it can handle high temperatures, it is used to build EPDM hoses, EPDM gaskets, EPDM cones, etc. as the automotive sector is growing as a good pace, and the demand for EPDM will also increase rapidly. Also, India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) stated that the Government of India expects automobile sector to attract US$ 8-10 billion in local and foreign investments by 2023. Therefore, EPDM is one of the main products in automotive industry and its growth is increasing at a stable rate. 

The Asia Pacific is the leading region accounted for the largest share in the EPDM market in 2023, with a share of over 42%. The EPDM market is increasing the popularity due to increasing demands in automotive industries in Asia-Pacific. The growth is mainly because of its properties like high temperature resistance, water resistant, low electrical conductivity and its flexibility. According to International Trade Administration, the highest growth can be seen in China as it has the world’s largest vehicle with domestic production expected to reach 40 million by 2030. The construction industry is the second-largest industry in India, with a GDP contribution of about 9%. It is predicted that the Indian construction industry is expected to emerge as the third-largest market in the world, with a size of almost USD 1 trillion by the end of the forecast period.  The Indian military manufacturing business is an important component of the Indian economy, and it is expanding rapidly as national security concerns develop. The continuing territorial disputes with China and Pakistan over the sovereignty of the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir, respectively, have increased demand for defensive equipment in India.

 

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber is a copolymer of propylene, ethylene, and a small amount of non-conjugated diene monomers used in the automotive industry for various applications as weatherstripping, sealing systems for glass and windows, hose, and tubing, tires, and belts amongst others. Each door in the automobile will need at least 20 feet of material, and every window requires a minimum of 10 feet of material. The trunk of the automobile may also require much larger amounts of material depending on the size of the automobile. It indicates the demand for rubber in the automobile for weather stripping and sealing applications.

EPDM's resistance to abrasion, cutting, tearing, and tensile strength, EPDM is preferred in most applications. EPDM rubber is used for weather strip and sealing applications in almost all automobiles, such as passenger cars, lightweight commercial vehicles, busses, coaches, and heavy trucks, of which light commercial vehicles dominate the weather strip and sealing application It is also largely used in residential roofing due to its rubber material.  Also, these EPDM can last up to 50 years, when compared to the traditional roofing, which needs to be changed in every 10-15 years. They are also very easy to maintain, thus reducing the maintenance costs.

EPDM rubber gaskets offer a variety of advantages when compared to other rubber gaskets. They can stand up to harsh environmental conditions, and are designed to provide long-lasting and reliable sealing capabilities over a wide range of -60° F to 300° F temperature. Due to its high tensile strength, it is strongr than silicon and neoprene, which are also used in making rubber gaskets. EPDM rubber gaskets are more resistant to wear from abrasion and also resist harsh chemicals like acids and alkalis. Its stability and heat resistance properties also make it suitable for applications using steam. EPDM gaskets offer good electrical insulation and high resistance to UV light, aging, wind, weather and ozone. They are also colour-stable and do not stain mating surfaces. EPDM is a strong, durable and cost-effective option that offers superior performance in many kinds of gaskets including outdoor, electrical and open-joints. Due to these properties of EPDM gaskets, it is widely used for applications involving hydrocarbon oils and petroleum products. EPDM gaskets are widely used in medical and electrical industry due to its excellent insulation properties. Thus, the increase in production and adoption of EPDM gasket is fuelling the market growth.

Though EPDM roofing has a lot of advantages in roofing but there are some disadvantages as well which makes the other alternatives better than EPDM roofing. One of them is its easy damage. EPDM roofing can provide adequate protection against all weather conditions but due to its thin rubber layer, it can be easily damaged by storm or even by someone walking on the roof with wrong footwear, thus, it needs to repair them as soon as possible to avoid water leakage. As it is rubber roofing, over time, due to exposure to the elements, which can shrink the rubber roofs which can lead to water leakage and cracks. Thus, it needs regular inspection to detect some leaks and shrinkage. Thus, need for continuous inspection for installing EPDM rubber roofing may hamper the market growth. 

Partnerships and acquisitions along with expansions are the key strategies adopted by the players in the The EPDM Market. The top ten Players in The EPDM Market includes: 

1. Mitsui Chemicals

2. Lanxess AG

3. Lion Elastomers, LLC

4. The Dow Chemical Company

5. RD Rubber Technology Corporation

6. Britech Industries

7. Pierce Roberts Rubber Co

8. National Rubber Corp.

9. Mason Rubber Co., Inc.

10. Exxon Mobil Corporation

• In November 2022: ChemSpec Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Safic-Alcan Group, was selected by Lion Elastomers as its official distributor in Canada. The company will distribute Royalene EPDM, Royaledge EPDM, Royaltherm EPDM, Trilene Liquid EPDM, and others in Canada

• In October 2022: Lion Elastomers announced that Arisan Kimya San ve Tic. A.S. (Arisan Kimya) will be their official distributor for products like Royalene EPDM, RoyalEdge EPDM, RoyalTherm Silicone Modified EPDM, Trilene Liquid EPDM, Trilene FreeFlow EPDM in Turkey.