How toxic is tin? This question could lead to a trade conflict between the USA and Europe. In North America, cables, pipes, and window frames are usually made durable with the help of tin. In the European Union, on the other hand, the Chemicals Agency wants to restrict organotin stabilizers. Europeans tend to use calcium and zinc to protect plastic and rubber products against heat, oxidation, and UV light. The production and processing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in particular would not be possible without stabilizing chemicals. The latest Ceresana study on the global market for thermal stabilizers and UV stabilizers predicts that sales of these necessary additives for plastics and elastomers will grow to USD 6.5 billion by 2033.

Protecting plastics with heavy metals or soybean oil

These days, cadmium stabilizers are frowned upon worldwide. In more and more countries, the plastics industry is also avoiding lead-based stabilizers. However, recycling remains a challenge: In the circular economy, plastics should be recycled wherever possible, including, for example, old floor coverings or other construction products made of PVC – however, the heavy metals used to stabilize the original materials can be found in the recycled materials. For new plastic products, environmentally friendly stabilizers that cause hardly any odor or VOC emissions are in demand. Ceresana expects global demand for calcium-based stabilizers to grow by 3.7% per year. Calcium can also be used for liquid mixed metal stabilizers. The demand for tin stabilizers is expected to amount to around 258,000 tonnes in 2033. Bio-based heat stabilizers, such as those made from epoxidized soybean oil, are not yet suitable for all applications.

Stabilizers for PVC construction products

Almost two thirds of all plastic and elastomer stabilizers are used by the construction industry, primarily for products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The most important application is plastic pipes, for which around 388,000 tonnes of stabilizers are currently used every year. This is followed by profiles, cables, films, and other applications. In total, Asia-Pacific is the largest regional market for stabilizers, accounting for a share of 61%, followed by Western Europe. In Asia, stabilizers are mainly used for PVC pipes, whereas in Europe they are used for profiles, for example for windows or door frames. For drinking water pipes at least, the aim worldwide today is to do without lead stabilizers.

Current 7th edition of the “Stabilizers” market study:

Chapter 1 provides a description and analysis of the global stabilizers market – including forecasts up to 2033: For each region of the world, demand in tonnes and revenues in US dollars and euros are given. Furthermore, global and regional demand per product type and application area is analyzed. Market data on demand and revenues per sector are also provided. The following stabilizer types are examined in detail: Calcium-based stabilizers, tin stabilizers, lead stabilizers, liquid mixed metal stabilizers (LMM stabilizers), other products. Application areas for stabilizers analyzed in this study are: Pipes, profiles (e.g. for window frames and doors), films, cables, floorings, other applications. The various customer sectors for stabilizers are also considered: Construction industry, packaging, transportation, electrical and electronics, industry, other sectors.
In Chapter 2, the demand for and the revenues generated with stabilizers are analyzed for 22 countries. Demand is examined in detail for each type of stabilizer and for the various application areas and sectors.
Chapter 3 provides 67 company profiles of the most important producers of stabilizers for plastics and elastomers. The practical manufacturer directory is clearly structured according to contact details, revenues, net income, product range, production sites, profile summary, product types, and areas of application.
Further information on the market study “Stabilizers – World” (7th edition): https://ceresana.com/en/produkt/stabilizers-market-report-world


About Ceresana
As one of the world’s leading market research institutes, Ceresana specializes in the chemicals, plastics, packaging, and industrial goods sectors. Special focus areas are bio-economy and automotive / mobility. Companies have been benefiting from our high-quality industry analyses and forecasts since 2002. More than 250 market studies provide more than 10,000 customers around the world with the knowledge base for their sustainable success.