The global release agent market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% in the forecast period (2022-2029).
The release agent is a chemical, typically a liquid used to facilitate the easy removal of molded or cast parts from the molds. Release agents are an integral part of many manufacturing processes, as they usually are used to enhance productivity, extend tool/die/mold life, increase cycle times, improve part/surface quality and reduce scrap and defect rates.
The increasing application of release agents in concrete and bakery is expected to boost the market growth, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, owing to the rapid urbanization in the area.
The increasing use of release agents in the construction and food processing industries is the primary market driver. Moreover, the new technological advancements have helped in developing eco-friendly, and high-performance release agents which have boosted the demand for release agents in various applications.
New formulations based on vegetable esters are expected to mitigate the toxic properties of release agents and would drive the market. For instance, in October 2016, ASK Chemicals has launched a new release agent, ECOPART HINO 50 which is suitable for all inorganic core and mold-making processes.
This new product is an eco-friendly water-based emulsion, which is virtually odorless even at temperatures of 200o C and is free from any harmful constituents and solvents.
However, the fluctuating raw material costs, especially vegetable oil, are expected to hamper the growth of the market. Moreover, conventional release agents are known to be toxic to humans and the environment which might hinder the growth of the market.
The Global release agents market is segmented by application and type. By type, the worldwide release agent market is segmented into semi-permanent, sacrificial, and water or solvent-based.
By the application, the global release agent market is segmented into food processing, concrete, plastics, paper, and others. Food processing is the largest and fastest-growing application segment owing to the increased use of release agents in the bakery and confectionery industry majorly in the Asia-Pacific region.
The rapid urbanization has increased the demand for bakery food in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China and India. The use of release agents in the bakery industry reduces the production cycle time significantly, and also the labor costs incurred in cleaning pans, trays, or molds.
The Global release agent market is segmented into the regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and others. Asia-Pacific is the largest and the fastest-growing segment owing to the increased use of release agents in the bakery and construction industry.
Rapid industrialization has increased the adoption of release agents for concrete as they help in significantly reducing the loss of water from the pavement, reduce cracks due to internal restraints, and permit easy removal of shuttering.
Moreover, with the rapid urbanization, there has been an increased demand for bakery products, which has significantly increased the use of release agents in the bakery industry owing to their superior quality in suppressing the adhesion without requiring to oil the baked goods.
The global release agents market is highly competitive with the presence of the primary key players in most of the regions.
The key market players are highly focused on acquiring green, unique, and complementary release agent technologies that would enhance their distribution capabilities. For instance, in September 2018, Vantage Speciaity Chemicals Holdings, Inc., has acquired The Amarna Company, which is widely recognized as an industry leader in high-performance release products and spray systems used in a variety of food applications. This acquisition is expected to expand Vantage’s product portfolio by providing an excellent complementary fit with its oil-based release agents.
• 3M
• AAK AB
• Avatar Corporation
• BASF SE
• Chem Trend
• Daikin
• DowDuPont Inc.
• Henkel.
• Puratos NV
• Sonneveld
• Food Processing is the largest and fastest-growing application segment, owing to the increased use in the bakery industry majorly in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing geographic segment, owing to the rapid urbanization and industrialization that created tremendous opportunities in the construction and the bakery industries.
• The global release agent market is highly competitive with the major players focused on acquiring critical innovators in green and unique release agent technologies.