Phase Change Materials Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Phase Change Materials Market is projected to increase from a valuation of USD 2.36 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.31 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.81%. These materials function by absorbing or releasing latent heat during phase transitions to stabilize temperatures within specific limits. The market is primarily driven by the significant expansion of the pharmaceutical cold chain and strict building energy codes that mandate passive temperature regulation, factors which are rooted in essential infrastructure requirements and long-term carbon reduction compliance rather than temporary market shifts.

A major hurdle limiting widespread adoption is the substantial initial cost associated with the advanced encapsulation technologies needed to ensure durability and prevent leakage. This financial barrier often restricts the use of these materials to high-value industries, despite the potential for operational savings. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, the total temperature-controlled capacity managed by its members globally grew to 8.16 billion cubic feet in 2025. This significant infrastructure expansion suggests a growing addressable market for phase change solutions within the logistics and storage sectors.

Market Drivers

The increasing demand for green building construction and energy efficiency serves as a major catalyst for the phase change materials market. To improve thermal mass and decrease reliance on active HVAC systems, these materials are frequently integrated into building envelopes such as roofing and wallboards, which is essential for achieving sustainability certifications like LEED. The U.S. Green Building Council's 'Top 10 States for LEED' report from January 2025 noted that the leading ten states certified 1,437 projects covering over 414 million gross square feet in 2024, highlighting a strong need for macro-encapsulated products to manage indoor climates and reduce peak energy demand.

Simultaneously, the application of phase change compounds in electric vehicle battery thermal management is a rapidly growing high-performance segment. These materials absorb excess heat during fast charging and discharging to prevent thermal runaway and extend battery life, avoiding the weight associated with liquid cooling. This growth aligns with the global shift to electromobility; the International Energy Agency's April 2024 'Global EV Outlook 2024' projected electric car sales to reach 17 million units in 2024. Additionally, the IEA estimated that global investment in energy efficiency for end-use sectors would hit USD 660 billion in 2024, further supporting the adoption of energy-smart technologies.

Market Challenges

The high capital expenditure required for advanced encapsulation processes acts as a primary barrier to the growth of the Global Phase Change Materials Market. Manufacturing robust shells that effectively prevent leakage involves complex production methods, which inherently raise costs and make the final price economically unfeasible for cost-sensitive applications like standard residential building or general shipping. Consequently, the technology remains largely confined to premium sectors such as pharmaceuticals, where the return on investment justifies the higher upfront expense.

This economic constraint significantly hampers the industry's ability to achieve the volumes necessary for mass market penetration. The gap between potential demand and actual deployment underscores this issue; for instance, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council reported that in 2024, global installed capacity for long-duration storage was only 115 gigawatts, far below the 1,500 gigawatts required by 2030. This data illustrates how substantial cost barriers are preventing thermal energy storage solutions from scaling sufficiently to meet broader infrastructure needs.

Market Trends

The market is undergoing a fundamental shift toward bio-based and biodegradable PCM formulations, significantly altering the material supply chain. Manufacturers are increasingly replacing conventional petroleum-derived paraffins with plant-based alternatives to mitigate fossil fuel price volatility and address flammability concerns in logistics and construction, while also meeting corporate sustainability goals for lower embodied carbon. Illustrating this trend, Croda International PLC reported in its 'Sustainability Impact Report 2024', released in March 2025, that 56% of its organic raw materials were bio-based in fiscal year 2024, underscoring the commercial viability of green phase change solutions over traditional petrochemicals.

Simultaneously, advancements in microencapsulation are enabling new high-value applications in the textile and apparel industries. Innovations in shell stability and thermal conductivity allow phase change materials to be integrated into fibers without compromising durability or breathability, which is critical for activewear and bedding markets focused on thermoregulation. Highlighting these improvements, Fibre2Fashion noted in November 2024, in the article 'Outlast Technology Increases Effusivity by 60% for Enhanced Cooling and Comfort', that recent technology integrations boosted fabric heat exchange capabilities by up to 60%, directly driving the adoption of encapsulated PCMs in mass-market functional clothing.

Key Players Profiled in the Phase Change Materials Market

• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Honeywell International.Inc.
• Croda International PLC
• PureTemp LLC
• Laird Limited
• Rubitherm Technologies GmbH
• PCM Products Ltd.
• Climator Sweden AB
• Shin-Etsu Chemicals Co., Ltd.
• Dongguan Guo Heng plastic technology co., LTD.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Phase Change Materials Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Phase Change Materials Market, by Product:

• Paraffin
• Salt Hydrates
• Eutectics
• Non-Paraffin
• Others

Phase Change Materials Market, by Application:

• Building and Construction
• Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
• Energy Storage Management
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Cold Chain and Packaging
• Textiles
• Others

Phase Change Materials Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Phase Change Materials Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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