Polycarbonate Market Report 2026

The polycarbonate market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $24.08 billion in 2025 to $25.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of construction and infrastructure projects, rising demand for durable plastic materials, expansion of electronics manufacturing, increasing use of polycarbonate in glazing applications, availability of injection molding technologies.

The polycarbonate market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $31.61 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of electric vehicles, rising demand for sustainable building materials, expansion of high-performance plastic applications, growing focus on circular plastics economy, increasing investments in advanced polymer processing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of lightweight and impact-resistant materials, rising adoption in automotive and transportation applications, growing demand for transparent engineering plastics, expansion of flame-retardant polycarbonate grades, enhanced focus on recyclable plastic solutions.

The rising demand for electric vehicles is expected to boost the growth of the polycarbonate market going forward. An electric vehicle (EV) is powered by one or more electric motors using electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. Polycarbonate is commonly used in electric vehicles due to its lightweight, high-impact resistance, and optical clarity, providing enhanced safety, improved energy efficiency, and design flexibility. For instance, in April 2024, according to the International Energy Agency, a France-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, in 2023, global electric car registrations surged to nearly 14 million, marking a 35% increase from 2022 and bringing the total electric vehicles on the road to 40 million, a significant rise from just 5% market penetration five years earlier. Therefore, rising demand for electric vehicles is driving the growth of the polycarbonate market.

Major companies operating in the polycarbonate market are focused on innovative solutions to meet demand and sustain their market position. For instance, in May 2023, Essentium Inc., a US-based chemical manufacturing company, launched Essentium Altitude, the first polycarbonate material to withstand extreme cold temperatures, up to -60°C. This innovation allows manufacturers to produce parts that resist freezing temperatures, reduce costs, minimize waste, and simplify supply chains. Essentium Altitude is designed for extreme cold, UV exposure, and fire resistance, establishing a new benchmark for high-performance components in aerospace, automotive, cold storage, maintenance, and construction sectors.

In June 2023, ROHM Co., Ltd., a Germany-based manufacturer of PMMA products, acquired the Functional Forms business unit from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables ROHM to position itself as a global leader in high-quality transparent films and sheets, strengthening its foothold in the polycarbonate sector and enhancing its product range. As a result, ROHM will benefit from improved technical expertise and a wider customer base in rapidly growing markets like automotive and construction. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is a chemical manufacturing company based in Saudi Arabia, involved in the development of polycarbonate sheets and films.

Major companies operating in the polycarbonate market are Covestro AG, SABIC, Teijin Limited, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, LG Chem, Chi Mei Corporation, Idemitsu Kosan, Trinseo, Formosa Chemicals, Asahi Kasei, Lotte Chemical, Samyang Corporation, Toray Industries, Kaneka Corporation, Saudi Kayan, INEOS Styrolution, RTP Company, Sumitomo Chemical, Wanhua Chemical Group, Sinopec Group.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polycarbonate market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the polycarbonate market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the polycarbonate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The polycarbonate market consists of sales of clear polycarbonate, abrasion-resistant polycarbonate, mirrored polycarbonate, anti-static polycarbonate, and more. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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