Structural Foam Report 2019-2027 | Top Manufacturers, Types and Applications

Structural foams are thermoplastic injection molding components with each one having a cellular foamed core and solid skin surrounding the core
The injection molding (structural foam molding) process is generally used to develop structural foams. The process involves use of a chemical blowing agent or inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
The process of structural foam molding generally employs low injection pressure that usually ranges from 3,000 PSI to 6,000 PSI. Sometimes, high injection pressure is also used to mold structural foams.
Polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane are major raw materials used in the manufacture of structural foams. Polyethylene is a major thermoplastic used in the production of structural foams.

Rising use of structural foams in material handling equipment that are used for transportation of goods within a manufacturing plant for short distances is expected to drive the global structural foam market in the material handling application segment during the forecast period
Rapid rise in the usage of structural foam products in wind power, shipbuilding, and consumer goods sectors is also anticipated to boost the others application segment of the global structural foam market during the forecast period
Increasing spending in construction and automotive sectors, particularly in developing countries such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa is expected to drive the demand for injection molded structural foam in these countries in the next few years
Rapid adoption of plastic pallets as an alternative for conventional wooden pallets, especially structural foam pallets is expected to drive the material handling segment of the global structural foam market in the near future

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Varying prices of raw materials and increasing preference for bio-based plastics as a dependable alternative for non-biodegradable foams can act as restraints of the global structural foam market in the next few years
Growing environmental concerns related to product disposal are anticipated to hamper the global structural foam market during the forecast period

Advantages of Use of Structural Foams

Structural foam is notably lighter than solid plastic products. They exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio and low-cost tooling, which is an added advantages.
Structural foams are primarily employed to attain durability, conductivity, heat resistance, and strength in a wide range of applications including wind turbines, automotive components, and insulation of building roofs, doors, columns, etc.
Furthermore, increased strength and stiffness, low stress and warpage, superior impact resistance, and long life expectancy for tooling are some of the additional benefits of using structural foams Other properties such as insulation and vibration dampening, light weight, durability, resilience, and closed-cell material characteristics are increasing the adoption of structural foams in packaging of fragile goods as well as in the automotive industry

Key Manufacturers Operating in Global Market

The global structural foam market was highly fragmented in 2018. Key manufacturers operating in the global market are: