Global LCP Films & Laminates Market is Segmented By Type (Films, Laminates), By Processing Method (Injection Molding, Extrusion, Fiber Spinning, Others), By Application (Electronics(Print Circuit Boards (PCBs), Connectors, Switches, Others), Advanced Packaging, Others), By End-User (Electrical & Electronics, Automotive, Packaging, Healthcare, Others), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031
LCP Films & Laminates Market Overview
The Global "LCP films & Laminates Market" is estimated to reach at a high CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2031).
LCP films & laminates provide a smooth flow to fill complex geometries in short cycle times, excellent thermal, chemical resistance and unique mechanical properties. Most importantly, they can achieve UL* 94 V-0 flame retardance without needing flame retardant additives, thus reducing the need for toxic halogenated flame retardants. Because of this, LCP films and laminates have widened their application scope across the electronics industry.
Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2021)
LCP Films & Laminates Market Dynamics
LCP films & laminates have widened application scope across electronics, with increased demand for lightweight and miniaturized electronic devices are driving the market. Stringent regulations by regulatory bodies over the use of toxic halogenated flame retardants. However, the low weld properties of LCPs because of their high anisotropy leading to warpage is likely to restrain the market.
LCP films & laminates have widened application scope across electronics with increased demand for lightweight and miniaturized electronic devices
LCP films & laminates are being widely used in the electronics industry for a variety of surface-mount technology (SMT), such as flexible printed circuits (FPCs) for smartphones and tablet computers, small-outline and dual inline memory modules (S/O DIMMs) for laptop computers. Moreover, LCPs are being selected to mold very demanding fine-pitch connectors, smaller, thinner and designed to be stacked higher than traditional connectors. It saves real estate (space) on printed circuit boards (PCBs) to meet miniaturization trends for smaller and more compact consumer electronics. In June 2019, Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies LLC developed two new SumikaSuper LCP grades specifically designed to meet the challenging requirements of fine-pitch connectors.
Stringent regulations by regulatory bodies over the use of toxic halogenated flame retardants
Halogenated flame retardants generate poisonous and corrosive gases that threaten air and water ecosystems during combustion. The retardants can also bio-accumulate or build up in people and animals over time. People are exposed to flame retardants in various ways, including consumer products in the home, car, airplane and workplace. Therefore, there is an immediate necessity to replace these halogenated flame retardants with more environmentally compatible alternative materials, i.e., non-halogenated flame retardants.
LCP films and laminates offer high moisture barriers, controllable thermal coefficient of expansion and high-frequency properties. Thus, they have been adopted as non-halogen flame-retardant material in the industries such as electrical & electronics, automotive and others. For instance, in May 2019, Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies LLC developed two new SumikaSuper LCP grades that can achieve UL* 94 V-0 flame retardance without needing flame retardant additives.
Low weld properties of LCPs because of their high anisotropy leading to warpage is likely to restrain the market
Like any material, liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) have their disadvantages. For example, the high anisotropy found in LCPs means that weld lines, where flow fronts with different molecular orientations converge, are weaker and thus susceptible to warpage and thermal-expansion differentials. LCPs are typically reinforced with mineral fillers and glass fiber to reduce anisotropy. Warpage can be improved through proper gate design in the injection molding tool. Moreover, because of their high performance, LCPs are priced accordingly and are sometimes costly compared to their substitutes.
However, LCPs can be formed into thin-wall parts with short molding cycles that deliver high performance at low mass and lower material usage, which help offset higher initial material costs.
COVID-19 Impact Analysis On LCP Films & Laminates Market
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the electronics market witnessed a modest global growth rate. After the pandemic, the global electronics industry faced a dual impact. The production facilities halted due to the logistics slowdown and unavailability of the workforce across the globe. On the other hand, various e-commerce companies have discontinued non-essential items, affecting the electronics industry.
Apart from this, COVID-19 has also disrupted the global supply chain of major electronic brands. China is one of the largest producers and exporters of several electronics input supplies to produce finished electronic goods. The ongoing production halt in China has forced the other electronic manufacturers based in U.S. and Europe to temporarily hold the production of the finished goods, which leads to the gap in the demand and supply of the electronic products.
LCP Films & Laminates Market Segment Analysis
Based on end-use, the LCP films & laminates are segmented into electrical & electronics, automotive, consumer goods, packaging, healthcare and others.
LCP films and laminates have widened the application scope across the electronics industry because of their excellent electrical and mechanical properties such as low dielectric constant, high moisture barriers, high-frequency properties, controllable thermal expansion coefficient and non-halogen flame-retardant characteristics.
LCP films are used to make flexible circuits, whereas LCP laminates manufacture rigid Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). LCP laminates can be made by layering LCP films over one above and integrating them using alternate high-temperature films or inserting LCP films between copper clads and joining them using adhesives.
Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2021)
LCP Films & Laminates Market Geographical Analysis
The LCP films & laminates market is segmented into North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa based on geography.
The automobile industry in Germany accounted for almost 20% of the total revenue for German businesses. Germany accounted for nearly 30% of all traveler cars manufactured in Europe. Germany is home to sixteen of the top 100 vehicle manufacturers globally. The country's world-class R&D base and comprehensive industry value chain provide a stable auto climate. With 41 gatherings and motor creation establishments, the government also has the most OEM factories in Europe, accounting for 33% of European auto production.
Moreover, companies are developing new technologies and advances, contributing to the market growth in the region. For instance, in September 2021, Cicor, a Switzerland-based printed circuit board manufacturer, partnered with Sabic on using liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) for 3D molded interconnect devices. Sabic's LNP THERMOCOMP LCPs compounds support direct laser structuring (LDS) capability to produce high-end 3D structures with complex interconnect for 5G networking, automotive and consumer electronics applications.
Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2021)
LCP Films & Laminates Market Competitive Landscape
The LCP films & laminates market is consolidated with global and local companies. The major companies include Solvay, Polyplastics Co., Ltd., Celanese Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies LLC, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., PolyOne Corp., Kuraray, Celanese Corp., Rogers Corp. and Cicor, among others. The significant players adopt growth strategies such as product launches and collaborations, which contribute to the global growth of the LCP films & laminates market.
Solvay
Overview: Solvay is a European science company. The company operates in Materials, Chemicals and Solutions. It provides its products and services in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, water and air treatment, to solve critical industrial, social and environmental challenges. It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
Product Portfolio: Solvay offers Xydar LCP with excellent flow properties molded into thin-wall components. Further, it has outstanding strength at extreme temperatures to 300°C (572°F). Moreover, it is inherently flame retardant and has exceptional chemical resistance with little or no flash.
Key Development:
- In 2015, Solvay introduced Xydar MG-850 liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a newly designed grade that meets the rigorous performance and processing demands of new high-speed USB 3.0 surface mount connectors.
Why Purchase the Report?
- Visualize the composition of the LCP films & laminates market segmentation by type, processing method, application, end-user and region, highlighting the key commercial assets and players.
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- Excel data sheet with thousands of data points of LCP films & laminates market-level 4/5 segmentation.
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- Product mapping in excel for the key product of all major market players
The global LCP films & laminates market report would provide access to an approx. 69 market data table, 67 figures and 180 pages.
Target Audience 2024
- Manufacturers of Films & Laminates
- Electrical & Electronics Companies
- Material Suppliers
- Raw Material Suppliers
- Traders, Distributors and Suppliers of LCP Films & Laminates
- Industry Associations
