Plastics are durable. Window frames made of polyvinyl chloride, pipes made of polypropylene, or cables made of polyethylene can last a good 40 years or even longer. However, there is one condition for this remarkable service life: Protection against the harmful effects of heat and sunlight. Many types of plastic and rubber could not even be produced and processed without the addition of stabilizing chemicals or heavy metals. Ceresana has analyzed the global market for thermal stabilizers and UV stabilizers for the eighth time: The latest market report on these special additives for plastics and elastomers forecasts that global sales of these products will grow to around USD 8.5 billion by 2035.

Stability Using Biomass or Crude Oil?

To date, the market for polymer stabilizers has been dominated by petrochemical products. However, the development of bio-based stabilizers is making rapid progress. UV absorbers for garden furniture or car parts can be obtained from vegetable oils, for example, or from lignin, a by-product of paper production. Citric acid esters can increase the heat resistance of thermoplastics. Epoxidized soybean oil can replace petrochemical plasticizers in PVC. Bio-based elastomers, such as polyurethane made from castor oil, already have natural stabilizers built in. Bio-stabilizers can be particularly useful when sustainability, low odor, and low migration are required, for example in packaging. Heavy metals, on the other hand, are not only highly toxic and controversial, but also complicate recycling, such as that of old flooring. In Europe, cadmium, lead, and organotin compounds are already banned as additives for new PVC. Possible alternatives include calcium and zinc. Ceresana expects global demand for calcium-based stabilizers to grow by 3.9% per year. Calcium can also be used for liquid mixed metal stabilizers. In North America, however, tin is still widely used to make cable insulation, pipes, or PVC profiles durable. The demand for tin stabilizers is expected to amount to around 272,000 tonnes in 2035.

UV Protection for Building Products

Discoloration, cracking, and embrittlement: UV radiation from sunlight and heat can damage plastics. Products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in particular must be protected. Consequently, the construction industry is the largest application sector: Around 60% of all plastic and elastomer stabilizers are used in construction products. For plastic pipes alone – the most important application area – around 398,000 tonnes of stabilizers are currently used annually This is followed by profiles, cables, films, flooring, and other applications in other sectors. For example, plastic parts in the engine compartment of cars should also be able to withstand high temperatures. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is the largest market for heat and light stabilizers, accounting for a market share of approximately 61%. In Asia, stabilizers are mainly used for PVC pipes, whereas in Europe they are primarily used for profiles, for example for windows or door frames. For drinking water pipes at least, the aim worldwide today is to do without lead stabilizers. Exceptions and transition periods still apply to recycled material, i.e., old PVC.

Current 8th Edition of the "Thermal and Light Stabilizers" Market Study:

Chapter 1 provides a description and analysis of the global stabilizers market – including forecasts up to 2035: For each region of the world, demand in tonnes and revenues in US dollars and euros are given. Furthermore, global and regional demand per product type and application area is analyzed. Market data on demand and revenues per sector are also provided. The revenues are broken down for heat and light stabilizers. These products are examined in detail: tin stabilizers, lead stabilizers, calcium-based stabilizers, liquid mixed metal stabilizers, and other products such as UV absorbers and HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers). Market data is provided for these two stabilizer types: heat stabilizers and light stabilizers. These application areas for stabilizers are included in the analysis: Pipes, profiles (e.g. for window frames and doors), films, wires & cables, flooring, and other applications. The study also analyzes the customer sectors for stabilizers: Packaging, construction, transportation, electrical engineering and electronics (E&E), industry, and other sectors.
In Chapter 2, the demand for and the revenues generated with stabilizers are analyzed for 22 countries. Demand is examined in detail for each type of stabilizer and for the various application areas and sectors.
Chapter 3 provides useful company profiles of the most important light and heat stabilizer producers. The practical manufacturer directory is clearly structured according to contact details, revenues, net income, product range, production sites, short overview of the company, product types, and areas of application. The study includes detailed profiles of the top 52 stabilizer manufacturers, such as Adeka Corporation, BASF SE, Clariant International Ltd., Nan Ya Plastics Corp., PT Timah Tbk, Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd., Syensqo S.A., and Zhejiang Jiaao Enprotech Stock Co., Ltd.

Further information on the new market report “Thermal and Light Stabilizers– World”:
https://ceresana.com/en/produkt/stabilizers-market-report-world



About Ceresana
As one of the world’s leading market research institutes, Ceresana specializes in the chemicals, plastics, packaging, and industrial goods sectors. More than 250 market studies provide over 10,000 customers around the world with the knowledge base for their sustainable success. A key area of focus is the bio-economy: Ceresana supports the dynamically growing circular economy with market analyses and forecasts on bio-based products and biodegradable materials. With the digital event series “Future of Bio”, Ceresana is creating a platform for experts and specialists to exchange knowledge, utilize synergies, and jointly drive the future of the bio-economy forward.
Learn more about Ceresana at www.ceresana.com

Let’s meet! Ceresana’s successful event series on the future of the bio-economy continues. Upcoming online events include "Future of BioChemicals" (November 12, 2026), and "Future of BioLignin" (December 9, 2026): https://ceresana.com/en/events