Propylene Oxide is a well-known active ingredient. It is the active ingredient in polyurethane and polypropylene. It is commonly used as an additive to many different plastic materials. The most popular use of this material is in polypropylene (PP) and polyurethane foam. These are foam products that are commonly used in packaging and to protect food from spoiling. One of the typical applications of propylene oxide is in sealants, thermal insulators, and flooring materials. With increasing expenditure on infrastructure, the demand for propylene oxide is likely to boost shortly. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India is expected to become the world’s third-largest construction market by 2022. According to the same source, India plans to spend around US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure projects through the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) from 2019 to 2023. Thus, such factors can augment the growth of the propylene oxide market.
As a polyol, or molecule with one proton in it, the basic component of this chemical is Propylene. It occurs naturally in several different types of flora and can be formed through the breakdown of propylene glycol, which is used as a stabilizer in food products and as an industrial preservative. It occurs at low levels only in a variety of berries and beans. Another key factor governing the development of the market is the rapid growth of the automotive sector. In many emerging economies, the automotive sector has witnessed robust growth in the recent past, with rising sales of passenger as well as commercial vehicles. Thus, such factors can stimulate the growth of the propylene oxide market.
The physical properties of propylene oxide also make it a strong irritant and it can irritate the eyes. Its irritating properties are caused mainly by the oxidizing agents that it contains. Among them is the polyethylene glycol or commonly referred to as PEG, which is formed when heating the chemical compound occurs. That being said, there is a major threat due to emerging alternatives to propylene oxide, which could pose a key hurdle to the market. Besides, there is a significant threat regarding carcinogenicity and hazardous effects on mammals, which could impede the growth of the propylene oxide market.
As far as the regional Asia Pacific seems to be gaining significant traction in the propylene oxide market. This is due to the robust growth of various end-use industries including automotive, construction, and furniture in the region. Furthermore, North America is registering a positive outlook with growing automotive and electronics sectors.