Epoxy Curing Agent Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Global epoxy curing agent market sales totaled USD 3,522.8 million in 2022. The market observed a 3.7% year-on-year growth in 2022 and is estimated to reach USD 3,658.7 million in 2023. From 2023 to 2033, global epoxy curing agent demand is projected to rise at 4.6% CAGR.

By 2033, the global epoxy curing agent market size is anticipated to reach USD 5,740.0 million. Demand is likely to remain high for amine-based epoxy curing agents globally. This is due to rising popularity of these agents in a wide variety of applications.

As per Future Market Insights (FMI), amines segment is anticipated to dominate the market with a share of 48.5% in 2023.

Epoxy curing agents are employed in several sectors, including paints & coatings, automotive, electrical, aerospace, and petrochemical. It is anticipated that the demand for epoxy curing agents will rise as these sectors continue to expand.

Key Factors Shaping Market Dynamics:

  • Rising usage of epoxy curing agents in several applications across sectors such as automotive, paints & coatings, aerospace, etc. is driving the global market
  • Growing demand for composites expanding wind energy generation sector to bolster epoxy agent sales
  • Implementation of stringent regulations promoting the use of lightweight materials in automotive and aerospace sectors to uplift epoxy curing agent demand
  • Increasing usage of epoxy resins for manufacturing electrical laminates to create lucrative opportunities for epoxy curing agent manufacturers
  • Shifting focus on developing bio-based epoxy curing agents to foster market development
  • Rising applications of printed circuit boards are likely to fuel epoxy curing agent sales
  • Replacement of dicyandiamide curing agents will positively impact the market

Epoxy resins are a class of advanced thermosetting resins that include a wide variety of crosslinking polymers, including, phenol-formaldehyde resins, unsaturated polyester resins, and amino resins. They are used in a wide range of applications and often require curing agents for better performance.

A curing agent is a substance used to harden a surface or material. Epoxy curing agents are used as hardeners/cross-linking agents for epoxy resins to facilitate the bonding of molecular components. These are also called epoxy cross-linkers or epoxy hardeners.

Curing offers significant improvements in the properties of epoxy resins such as improved mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation, among others. There are a wide variety of epoxy curing agents, including amines (aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and aromatic), amides, anhydrides, phenolic, and others.

Epoxy curing agents are used in a wide range of applications and improve the efficiency of epoxy resins. Various applications of epoxy curing agents include paints, coatings, and inks.

Several bio-based curing agents have been commercialized, including cardanol, grapeseed oil, and terpene-based anhydrides, among others. In addition, raw material prices for epoxy curing agents tend to be volatile, which impacts the conventionally-used curing agent market growth.

Key market participants are actively expanding their production and developing new products to meet the increasing demand from end users.

Rising demand for high-performance resins, paints & coatings, and epoxy resin-based composites from various sectors is projected to boost the global epoxy curing agent industry

Development of eco-friendly epoxy curing agents with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) is another key factor stimulating market growth.

Similarly, surging demand for electronics products such as smartphones and automotive electronics equipment will fuel epoxy curing agent sales.

Attributes Key Insights
Global Epoxy Curing Agent Market Value (2022) USD 3,522.8 million
Estimated Market Size (2023E) USD 3,658.7 million
Projected Market Value (2033F) USD 5,740.0 million
Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033) 4.6%
Collective Value Share: Top 3 Countries (2023E) 58.5

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2018 to 2022 Global Epoxy Curing Agent Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast from 2023 to 2033

According to Future Market Insights (FMI), global sales of epoxy curing agents grew at a CAGR of around 3.3% from 2018 to 2022. The market growth during the historical period was driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization and rising environmental sustainability awareness.

China and North America remained significant markets due to the presence of strict environmental regulations and a well-established industrial sector.

For the forecast period of 2023 to 2033, the epoxy curing agent market is set to thrive at 4.6% CAGR. The market is anticipated to witness robust investment opportunities over the forecast period. This is due to ongoing research and development activities focused on developing new and improved epoxy curing agents that are more effective, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient.

The new advancements are likely to open up new opportunities for epoxy curing agent manufacturers and drive market growth.

Demand for epoxy curing agents is projected to rise at a steady pace owing to increasing demand from various end-use sectors. Further, the growing focus on environmental sustainability is likely to boost the demand for epoxy curing agents during the forecast period.

Key Factors Elevating Epoxy Curing Agent Demand and Boosting the Target Market

Rising Demand from the Wind Energy Generation Sector to Boost the Market

The unabated boom in the wind energy generation sector has led to a rise in demand for advanced lightweight, high mechanical strength, and high-performing materials. This in turn is encouraging the adoption of resin curing agents and prompting manufacturers to develop advanced products.

Manufacturers have developed advanced curing agents with improved rheology and faster curing rate. These agents reduce the blade cycle time as well as overall weight and cost. Thus, with the use of epoxy resins and curing agents, a noticeable decline in production, as well as maintenance and repair costs has been noticed.

The wind sector has been a key consumer of composites, predominantly used for the manufacturing of rotor blades. There has been an increase in demand for advanced composite materials as blades are exposed to high force and harsh environmental conditions.

The rotor blades constitute approximately 70% of the overall usage. Various advantages offered by curing of epoxy resins include lightweight, fatigue resistance, improved adhesion and low shrinkage on cooling.

Epoxy resins have replaced conventionally used polyester-based composites. These resins are cured with specific curing agents adapted to one another to improve the mechanical strength of the system.

The growing dependence on renewable energy sources is projected to drive demand for installation of new wind capacities. This in turn will bolster epoxy curing agent demand and create lucrative growth prospects for the market.

Epoxy cured resins are being widely used in the manufacture of wind rotor blades. With the use of epoxy resins and curing agents, bigger, lighter, and stronger blades are being manufactured, and this has improved the efficiency to a greater extent.

As a further matter, production rate has increased and maintenance and repair costs have been decreased to a large extent.

Growing Usage of Epoxy-based Resins in Construction & Renovation Activities to Fuel Demand

Demand for epoxy resins and curing agents for applications such as flooring, paints and coatings, and adhesion has witnessed steady growth, especially from the construction sector.

Epoxy resin, owing to relatively higher mechanical strength, is used widely in concrete sealers, floorings, structural composites, decorative tile grouts, mortars, and chemical resistant tank linings, among other applications.

In the construction sector, industrial flooring has been an important application area for epoxy curing agents.

With the growing infrastructural and industrial developments in various regions, especially Asia Pacific, significant opportunities are likely to emerge for epoxy curing agent manufacturers during the forecast period.

Stringent Regulations Promoting the Use of Lightweight Materials in Automotive and Aerospace Sectors to Fuel Epoxy Curing Agent Sales

The automotive sector uses epoxy resins and curing agents for several applications. This includes protective coatings, adhesives, lightweight composite materials, and others.

The epoxy-based coating technology provides superior rust and corrosion protection. Epoxy coatings are used in almost 90% of modern cars. The coatings are cured to provide additional protection from UV light and other damage.

Apart from adhesion, epoxy resins are also used for the manufacturing of lightweight composite parts, electric and hybrid vehicles’ components, suspension parts, load bearing structures, and drive shafts.

Epoxies are used to provide excellent adhesion to dissimilar parts. With growing need for reducing vehicle weight, plastics and aluminum are widely being used for the manufacturing of automotive parts. This in turn is positively impacting epoxy curing agent sales.

The use of epoxies in vehicles has reduced the overall vehicle weight, which has led to lower fuel consumption, lower emissions, reduction in overall cost, improved vehicle mechanical strength and heat and corrosion resistance.

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Country-wise Insights

What Makes the United States a Market Hub for Epoxy Curing Agent Players?

Robust Expansion of End-use Sectors to Propel Epoxy Curing Agent Demand in the United States

The United States has a significant market for epoxy curing agents. This is due to high availability of plastic raw materials and strong presence of leading aircraft component manufacturing companies, automotive companies, and electrical & electronics businesses.

The demand for epoxy curing agents in the United States is driven by several factors. This includes the need for lightweight composite materials with outstanding performance and strength in various automotive and aerospace applications.

With expansion of sectors such as automotive and aerospace, the use of epoxy curing agents will likely become more prevalent, driving market growth in the upcoming period. Similarly, increasing environmental regulations and the growing awareness of sustainable practices will boost the market.

As per Future Market Insights (FMI), the United States epoxy curing agent industry is forecast to reach a valuation of USD 933.0 million by 2033. Further, sales of epoxy curing agents in the United States market are likely to soar at 4.0% CAGR between 2023 and 2033.

What is the Demand Outlook for China Epoxy Curing Agent Market?

Burgeoning Demand for Coatings to Boost China Epoxy Curing Agent Industry

China is one of the leading markets for epoxy curing agents owing to its significant manufacturing and industrial sectors. China's ongoing industrialization and infrastructure development projects are likely to drive demand for epoxy curing resins during the assessment period.

China's flourishing coating manufacturing sector may influence the growth of the target market. This is due to rising demand for coatings from construction and automotive sectors.

Coatings have been a crucial application for epoxy curing agents. Highly protective coatings are used for numerous applications including automotive, industrial flooring, construction, and marine. This in turn is likely to elevate epoxy curing agent demand.

Increasing government initiatives and investments in infrastructure will further boost sales of epoxy curing agents in China during the projection period. As per the latest analysis, China epoxy curing agent industry is set to expand at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Which is the Commonly Preferred Used Epoxy Curing Agent?

Amine-based Epoxy Curing Agents Remain the Widely Used Category

Based on raw material, amines segment is forecast to dominate the global epoxy curing agent industry. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), amines segment is likely to thrive at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2023 and 2033.

By 2033, amines segment is anticipated to reach a market valuation of USD 2,916.3 million. This is due to rising usage of amine-based curing agents, such as aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, and alicyclic amines in epoxy resins application.

As cure agents for epoxy resin, amines are frequently utilized. In fact, amines and polyamines are the most common types of curing agents. These fall within the primary and secondary amine categories.

Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), ethylenediamine, polyetheramines, and other amines are frequently employed for curing. The enhanced qualities of amine-based curing agents, such as cure time, pot life, chemical and thermal resistance, and weather resistance, make them more durable and chemically resistant than conventional curing agents.

One significant method by which the application of epoxy resin has increased significantly in the decades since its commercialization is the employment of amine compounds in the curing process.

As new hardeners are created to satisfy unique processing and performance needs, the epoxy formulator has access to even more variety. A wide range of processing, thermal, and mechanical performance combinations can be achieved through creative usage of amine mixes.

Which End-use Segment is Projected to Create Lucrative Opportunities for Epoxy Curing Agent Manufacturers?

Paints & Coatings Sector to Create Lucrative Revenue-generation Opportunities for Companies

The paints and coatings sector is a key consumer of epoxy curing agents and is likely to be a prominent driving force behind the growth of the global epoxy curing agent industry. As per the latest report, paints & coatings segment is projected to reach a high valuation of USD 2,226.8 million by 2033.

The use of paints, coatings, and inks has significantly increased in the construction, automotive, aerospace, marine, and other sectors. There has been rising demand for protective paints and coatings for protection against rust, corrosion, and other damage. This in turn is positively impacting epoxy curing agent sales.

Epoxy cured resins improve the properties such as thermal and chemical stability, better insulation, etc. This has resulted in high usage of epoxy curing agents in the paints & coatings sector.

Coatings have been a prime application for epoxy curing agents. Highly protective, corrosion-resistant coatings are used for several applications including automotive, industrial flooring, construction and marine.

The strong demand for paints and coatings in the automotive sector will improve market prospects because of these products' color stability, continuous manufacturing of protective layers, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, and scratch resistance.

Due to the unique needs of the aerospace, marine, and semiconductor sectors, epoxy curing agents are projected to remain high in demand.

The introduction of more potent and environmentally friendly epoxy curing agents is facilitated by ongoing improvements in chemical compositions and production techniques. These developments could make these agents more effective and dependable, which would accelerate their adoption across sectors such as paints & coatings.

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Competitive Landscape

The global market of epoxy curing agents is a consolidated market due to presence of a large number of regional and domestic players. Key market participants account for more than 60% of the global epoxy curing agents market share.

The market also has presence of small and medium size players which are driving the market and providing competition to Tier-1 players.

Key manufacturers of epoxy curing agents are actively engaging in research and development activities for developing novel curing solutions. In order to sustain the existing market competition, highly from China-based players, manufacturers have strategically located their production plants in the Asia Pacific region to reduce raw material procurement costs and additionally-imposed custom duties.

Further, epoxy curing agent manufacturers are forming alliances, partnerships, and mergers, adopting merger & acquisition strategy, establishing new production plants, and increasing production capacities of their existing plants.

For instance

  • In March 2022, Aditya Birla (Grasim Industries) announced to ramp up chemical plant capacity in the next 3 years.
  • In March 2020, new VERSACURE epoxy curing agent was introduced by Gabriel Performance Products for clear coatings and tabletop applications.
  • In 2017, BASF SE expanded its specialty amines production capacity at Nanjing, China to 21,000 tonnes per year.

Scope of Report

Attribute Details
Estimated Market Value (2023) USD 3,658.7 million
Projected Market Value (2033) USD 5,740.0 million
Anticipated Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) 4.6% CAGR
Forecast Period 2023 to 2033
Historical Data Available for 2018 to 2022
Industry Analysis USD million for Value and Tons for Volume
Key Countries Covered United States of America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Spain, BENELUX, NORDICS, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Russia and Belarus, Balkan and Baltics, Central Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Association of South East Asian Nations, Australia and New Zealand, Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, Turkiye, South Africa, Northern Africa
Key Segments Covered Raw Material, Grade, Cure Mechanism, End Use, and Region
Key Companies Profiled BASF SE; Evonik Industries AG; Aditya Birla Corporation; Olin Corporation; Toray Fine Chemicals; Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation; Westlake Corp.; Resonac Holdings Corporation; Cardolite corporation; Atul Ltd.; Henkel Group; SABIC
Report Coverage

Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Trends Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives

Global Epoxy Curing Agent Market Segmentation

By Raw Material:

  • Amines
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Anhydrides
  • Polyamides
  • Phenols
  • Lewis Acid
  • Others

By Grade:

  • Standard
  • Fast Cure
  • High Performance
  • Low-Temperature
  • Heat-Resistant
  • Water-Resistant
  • UV-Resistant

By Cure Mechanism:

  • Catalytic Curing
  • Thermal Curing
  • UV Curing

By End-use:

  • Paint and Coating
  • Adhesives and Sealants
  • Electrical and Electronics
  • Composites
  • Tooling and Molding
  • Others

By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • Central Asia
  • Russia and Belarus
  • Balkan and Baltic Countries
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • South Asia Pacific
  • Middle East and Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Countries Dominate the Global Market?

The United States, India, and China dominate the global market.

What is the Growth Forecast for Epoxy Curing Agent Market?

The market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.6% through 2033.

How was the Historical Performance of the Market?

From 2018 to 2022, the market grew at a CAGR of 3.3%.

Which is the Top Trend in the Epoxy Curing Agent Market?

Rising application in automotive, painting and coating is the key trend in the market.

What is the Projected Size of the Market by 2033?

The global market sizeis to reach USD 5,740.0 million by 2033.

Table of Content
	1. Executive Summary
	2. Market Overview
	3. Key Market Trends
	4. Key Success Factors
	5. Global Market Demand Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
	6. Global Market - Pricing Analysis
	7. Global Market Demand (in Value or Size in USD Million) Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
	8. Market Background
	9. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, by Raw Material
		9.1. Amine
		9.2. Anhydrides
		9.3. Polyamides
		9.4. Phenols
		9.5. Lewis Acid
		9.6. Others
	10. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, by Grade
		10.1. Standard
		10.2. Fast Cure
		10.3. High-performance
		10.4. Low-temperature
		10.5. Heat-resistant
		10.6. Water-resistant
		10.7. UV-resistant
	11. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, by Cure Mechanism
		11.1. Catalytic Curing
		11.2. Thermal Curing
		11.3. UV Curing
		11.4. Room Temperature
	12. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, by End Use
		12.1. Paints & Coatings
		12.2. Adhesives & Sealants
		12.3. Electrical & Electronics
		12.4. Composites
		12.5. Tooling & Molding
		12.6. Others
	13. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, by Region
		13.1. North America
		13.2. Latin America
		13.3. Western Europe
		13.4. Eastern Europe
		13.5. Russia & Belarus
		13.6. Balkan & Baltics
		13.7. Central Asia
		13.8. China
		13.9. Japan
		13.10. South Korea
		13.11. South Asia & Pacific
		13.12. Middle East & Africa
	14. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	15. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	16. Western Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	17. Eastern Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	18. Russia & Belarus Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	19. Balkan & Baltics Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	20. Central Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	21. China Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	22. Japan Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	23. South Korea Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	24. South Asia & Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	25. Middle East & Africa Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033
	26. Country Wise Market Analysis
	27. Market Structure Analysis
	28. Competition Analysis
		28.1. Huntsman Corporation
		28.2. Olin Corporation
		28.3. Westlake Corporation
		28.4. Evonik Industries AG
		28.5. Aditya Birla Corp
		28.6. BASF SE
		28.7. Resonac Holdings Corporation
		28.8. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
		28.9. Toray Fine Chemicals
		28.10. Eastman Chemical Company
		28.11. Henkel Adhesives
		28.12. Cardolite Corporation
		28.13. Atul Ltd.
		28.14. SABIC
	29. Primary Survey Analysis
	30. Assumptions and Acronyms Used
	31. Research Methodology
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