The global expanded polypropylene foam market size was US$ 1,323.5 million in 2021. The global expanded polypropylene foam market size is forecast to reach US$ 1,990.0 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.

Expanded polyethylene foam (also called EPE foam) is a kind of polyethylene foam. It's usually formed from expanded pellets ('EPE bead') made with a blowing agent, then expanded into a mold in a steam chest, similar to how expanded polystyrene foam creates. Expanded polypropylene foams are semi-rigid, closed-cell foams with a stiffness/compliance that is midway between expanded polystyrene and polyurethane. Expanded polypropylene foams make in the same way as expanded polystyrene foams but start with PE beads. The density ranges from 29 to 120 kg/m3 (49 to 202 lb/cu yd), with the lower number being the most common.

Factors Influencing Market Growth

• The rising product penetration in applications, such as packaging, consumer goods, and furniture, is forecast to drive the global market during the forecast period. 
• The price associated with the material may affect the overall product prices, thereby slowing down the overall market growth.
• The growing demand for bio-based polypropylene foam and its emergence as a substitute for other products are forecast to offer lucrative opportunities for the global market during the forecast period.

Impact Analysis of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global expanded polypropylene foam market. Several governments imposed a lockdown in order to curb the spread of the deadly virus. As a result, the production of expanded polypropylene foam decreased, and the global supply chain was affected. In addition, this further reduced the demand for an expanded polypropylene foam market. Additionally, the end-user industries such as automotive, consumer goods, appliances, construction, and others had to shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also declined the demand for expanded polypropylene foam. Thus, these factors affected the revenue of the expanded polypropylene foam market.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region held dominant in the market in 2021. As a result of the improved product demand in key end-use verticals, such as consumer goods and packaging. The rapidly-rising automotive industry is forecast to fuel the market growth in the region. 

Europe is forecast to have lucrative growth in the market during the forecast period. As a result of the expanding automobile industry and rapidly-growing consumer goods industry in major economies, such as Germany, France, Spain, and Russia. In addition, the existence of prominent automotive OEMs in the region is likely to maintain the growth of the automotive sector. Thus, these factors are forecast to drive market growth in the region.

Leading Competitors

The leading prominent companies profiled in the global expanded polypropylene foam market are:

• BASF SE
• Hanwha Corporation
• Dongshin Industry, Inc.
• JSP Corporation
• Kaneka Corporation
• Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
• DS Smith plc
• Sonoco Products Company
• Clark Foam Products Corporation
• IZOBlok SA
• Other Prominent Players

Scope of the Report

The global expanded polypropylene foam market segmentation focuses on Type, Application, and Region.

Segmentation based on Type

• Low Density
• High Density
• Porous PP

Segmentation based on Application

• Automotive
• Packaging
• Consumer Products
• Others

Segmentation based on Region

• North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• Western Europe
• The UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Poland
• Russia
• Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia & New Zealand
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Rest of MEA
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America