Thermally Conductive Polymers Market Projected to Reach 13.8% CAGR

The seemingly insatiable appetite for personal electronics and growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is driving expansion of the emerging market for thermally conductive plastics. Valued at $1.4 billion in 2022, the global market for thermally conductive plastics is projected to achieve a 13.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2031, reaching a value of $4.4 billion, according to a report from Transparency Market Research.

Applications in EVs and LEDs

EV battery packs are a key application for these advanced polymers. In addition to heat-management properties, they are much lighter than conventional materials and, consequently, increase vehicle range.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are another attractive application for thermally conductive polymers, according to the report authors. “Producers can lower production costs per unit and assembly stages by utilizing thermally conductive polymers,” they write. “These plastics use less energy and provide designers with a range of color options for imaginative designs.”

Metal heat sink alternatives

The materials also show promise as a replacement for metal heat sinks in single-board computers. As reported by Robert Grace in PlasticsToday earlier this year, Raspberry Pi Ltd. CEO Eben Upton is “fascinated” by the idea of overmolding printed circuit boards with thermally conductive polycarbonate (PC). Typically, copper is used to siphon away heat from the central processing unit. The advantage of thermally conductive PC, according to Upton, is that it “combines heat management with the properties next-generation materials demand: Functional integration, reduced weight, and reduced RF interference for wireless connectivity,” he told Grace.

Related:Thermally Conductive Polymers Help Handle the Heat in Today’s Electronics

In addition to polycarbonate, the report from Transparency Market Research covers polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyetherimide, and polyphenylene sulfide.

The report also profiles the global thermally conductive polymers market by application and geographical region. It is available for purchase on the Transparency Market Research website.