Polyisobutylene Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Molecular Weight (High, Medium, Low), By Product (HR-PIB, C-PIB), By Application (Automotive Components, Fuel Additives, Adhesives & Sealants, Lubricant Additives, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The polyisobutylene market was evaluated at US$2.833 billion in 2021 and the market is set to grow at a CAGR of 5.52% thereby reaching the market size of US$4.128 billion in 2028.

The usage of polyisobutylene in several products, such as adhesives and sealants, rubber automobile components, fuel additives, and lubricant additives, is majorly driving its polyisobutylene market expansion. Since tubeless tires are simple to change and need less maintenance, they have become more common in the car industry. As an oxygen barrier, polyisobutylene is a good choice for the inner liner of tubeless tires. Low gas and moisture permeability, as well as superior electrical current insulation, are all characteristics of polyisobutylene (PIB).

Use of polyisobutylene in personal care and cosmetics

The lipid (oil) component of cosmetics and personal care products becomes thicker due to polyisobutylene and hydrogenated polyisobutylene. To hold the components of a compacted cake together, polyisobutylene is utilized. When it dries, it forms a thin coating on the skin, hair, and nails. The surface of the skin is lubricated with hydrogenated polyisobutylene, giving it a soft and smooth look.  To increase their consumer base and better meet demand across many applications, major firms are working with other organizations and focusing on product innovation. For instance, Connect Chemicals' Polyisobutylene (PIB) is a highly adaptable, non-toxic antibacterial, emollient, humectant, and viscosity-regulating agent. In lipstick compositions, it provides a better gloss. It stabilizes the dispersions of pigments and guarantees the cohesiveness of cosmetics comprising powder.

Increasing demand for lubricants

Olefin polymerization produces non-drying synthetic hydrocarbon polymers called polyisobutylene (PIBs). Grease, forming lubricants, sealants, inks, coatings, paint, liquid colorants for plastics, agriculture, cling film, and hot melt & PSA adhesives are just a few of the numerous uses for PIBs.  They can be utilized as Group V base oils in synthetic lubricants or as processing steps to create lubricant additives.  Since PIBs are more widely accessible and less expensive than PAOs and PAGs, they are frequently used as an affordable alternative.  According to the data published by the US Energy Administration, lubricant consumption in the United States increased from 38,340 thousand barrels in 2021 to 40,384 thousand barrels in the year 2022. This increase is majorly attributed to the rise in the use of polyisobutylene.

It is projected that the polyisobutylene market in the India will grow steadily. 

Polyisobutylene (PIB) is a synthetic rubber-like material that is widely used in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of tires, adhesives, sealants, lubricants, and more. In India, the polyisobutylene market has shown significant growth over the years due to the growing automotive industry of India. The automotive sector is one of the primary consumers of PIB in India. As the country's automobile industry has been expanding, the demand for PIB has increased, primarily due to its use in tire manufacturing. For instance, according to the OICA data (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), India’s automotive production in 2022 reached 5.45 million units which signified an increase of 24% over 2021’s production volume. Polyisobutylene (PIB) plays a pivotal role in India's construction and infrastructure sector. PIB finds extensive use in this industry as an essential component in the formulation of adhesives, sealants, and waterproofing materials, enhancing their durability and weather resistance. According to Invest India, the construction industry in India is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025 which works across 250 sub-sectors with linkages across sectors. This growth in the construction industry is expected to drive the Indian polyisobutylene market.

Products Offered

• Polybut™ Kemat’s “Polybut™” is a low molecular weight conventional polybutene (LM C PIB) that comes in different viscosities (ranging from 2 to 40 Centistokes) and molecular weight (ranging from 2 to 6.0 Mn). The product is used in lubricant, oil, and grease applications.
• Polybut™ HR, Kemat introduced this product to cater to the growing technical requirement in the lubricant market. This low molecular weight high reactive polyisobutylene (LM HR PIB) comes in varied grades namely “Polybut™ HR 1000”, Polybut™ HR 1300”, Polybut™ HR 2300”, Polybut™ HR 230”, Polybut™ HR 640”. The product finds major applicability in cling film, rubber, adhesives & sealants, electrical insulation, and in synthesis of lubricating additives & fuel. 
• Polybol™, Polybol™ product line comprises medium and high molecular weight polyisobutylene which comes in industrial and food grade. The Medium-weight PIBs have molecular weights ranging from 30.000 to 85.000 Mv, whereas high-weight PIBs range from 425 to 3.000 Mv.

Market Key Developments

• In May 2022, the introduction of the new MOLYKOTE® Multilub Synthetic High-Performance Grease was announced by DuPont. The multipurpose grease is suitable for a wide range of applications, including the gears or slides in centrifuge pumps, blend tank agitators, spindles, gearboxes, bushings, actuators, springs, and more. It has been certified with the National Lubricating Grease Institute's (NLGI) HPM + LT (High-Performance Multiuse Grease with enhanced low-temperature performance) designation.
• In February 2021, Kothari introduced another product “PIB -01” using a proprietary polymer from the polyisobutylene family. The products having enhanced stickiness are ideal for adhesives & tackiness and pest-repellent applications. 
• In February 2021, Leading polyisobutylene (PIB) producer BASF launched OPPANOL® C in the North American market, because of its size, the distinctive PIB product is created as one-inch chips, which enables customers to save product development time and minimize manufacturing stages by enabling simpler and quicker processing. This new kind of nonhazardous PIB also comes in a manageable size for exact formulation customization.

Polyisobutylene Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By Molecular Weight
  • High
  • Medium
  • Low
• By Product
  • HR-PIB
  • C-PIB
• By Application
  • Automotive Components
  • Fuel Additives
  • Adhesives & Sealants
  • Lubricant Additives
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Taiwan
    • Others