Description

Macro trends such as decarbonization, digitization, Industry 5.0, and energy efficiency are influencing the R&D of materials and transforming the demand for materials with high biodegradability rate, higher toughness, mechanical properties, and impact resistance. In addition to this, various other polymeric materials such as stimuli-responsive polymers, hydrogels, and porous polymers are gaining traction due to the rise of soft robotics, energy efficient buildings, and flexible electronics. Smart drop ins derived from various plant-based feedstocks and residues including polyol esters, diesters, and epoxidized vegetable oils derived from linseed oil, castor oil, soybean oil, and so on are of potential interest among manufacturers as they can provide similar properties as that of fossil derived polymers. The evolution of additive and advanced manufacturing including 3D printing in recent years has also pushed manufacturers to utilize high performance thermoplastics such as polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polycaprolactone (PCL) in various end-user industries including automotive, aerospace, and electrical and electronics.

This research focuses on identifying the technology push and market pull approaches and trends that impact the development of adoption of polymers, esp. thermoplastic polymers. The research also highlights illustrative innovations and developments focused on polymers as a result of these trends.

The research focuses on the below mentioned approaches and trends and corresponding developments in polymers that are aligned to the the below mentioned:
  • Decarbonization
  • Waste Reuse & Recycle
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Material Sourcing
  • Digitization
  • Industry 5.0