Heat stabilizers help preserve the polymer’s appearance, strength, elasticity, durability and performance characteristics. Heat (or thermal) stabilizers are mostly used for PVC, as unstabilized material is particularly prone to thermal degradation. These agents minimize loss of HCl, a degradation process that starts above 70 °C. Once dehydrochlorination starts, it is autocatalytic. Many diverse agents have been used including, traditionally, derivatives of heavy metals (lead, cadmium). Increasingly, metallic soaps (metal "salts" of fatty acids) are favored, species such as calcium stearate. Addition levels vary typically from 2% to 4%. The choice of the best heat stabilizer depends on its cost effectiveness in the end use application, performance specification requirements, processing technology and regulatory approvals.
Heat stabilizers play a key role as an additive in the processing of PVC polymer. PVC is hard and brittle, but a relatively low-cost polymer with good chemical & biological resistance and excellent workability. However, when it is exposed to heat (> 1000C), HCl is released from the polymer backbonewhich triggers the decomposition of PVC, such as causing rapid discoloration and embrittlement. Heat stabilizers can greatly increase the heat stability by scavenging of released HCl molecules.
Global heat stabilizers market was valued at USD 3.63 Billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 4.57 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. In this report, 2016 is considered the base year and the forecast period is 2017 to 2022. APAC is the fastest-growing market for heat stabilizers due to the technologically advancing and emerging countries in the region demanding innovative, lightweight, renewable, and less toxic heat stabilizer products.
Some of the important players competing in the market include Akcros Chemicals Ltd., Albemarle Corporation, Arkema Group, Cytec Industries Inc., Baerlocher GmbH, Ferro Corporation, and BASF SE.
UV stabilizers in plastics usually act by absorbing the UV radiation preferentially, and dissipating the energy as low-level heat. The chemicals used are similar to those in sunscreen products, which protect skin from UV attack. They are used frequently in plastics, including cosmetics and films.
UV stabilizers help mitigate deterioration or breakdown of the plastics in products that are primarily used outdoors. These products might include but are not limited to lawn and garden equipment, pool equipment, pool and patio furniture, automotive application including both interior such as instrument and dash panels, and exterior parts. Sunlight, hot and cold temperatures and other weather situations can cause the properties that make plastic long lasting and beautiful to break down and cause color fading.
The UV Stabilizers find their major application for the packaging of food & beverages and nonfood products across all parts of the globe. The ability of the UV stabilizers to impart retention properties to the packaging material to maintain quality and durability of packaging materials on exposure to sunlight, harsh climate conditions, and long-term durability is the major factor driving the UV stabilizers market. The UV protection required for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers will also be one of important end use segment within packaging sector.
The key factor driving global UV stabilizers market is rising for low cost raw materials such as plastic and wooden materials requiring coating of UV stabilizers for imparting high thermal stability. The consumption of the UV Stabilizers will also be driven by usage for manufacture ring of polymer water tanks and chemical tanks that require molded product to maintain tensile strength on exposure to UV radiations for long term.
In the Asia-Pacific region, growing demand of consumer goods, significant growth of regional automotive sector will be the major factors for increasing demand of the UV stabilizers. The nickel quenchers are mainly used for agricultural film applications as they offer balance between UV protection and interaction with pesticides. The UV stabilizers enhance the features of nets used in agriculture that provide protection to the plants being kept inside the green house. The growing demand of greenhouse films globally is anticipated to play key role driving the UV stabilizers market in the coming years.
