The global anti-static agents market was valued at US$316.7 mln in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$530.5 mln by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2015 and 2023, as per Transparency Market Research. Rising demand for anti-static agents in polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and other plastic applications is estimated to positively impact the market by 2023. Anti-static agents are required to reduce the generation of static charges as well as dust settlement on plastic products. Plastics are increasingly being consumed in the global packaging industry owing to their structural and mechanical properties. Growth in this end-user is expected to chiefly drive demand for anti-static agents in the next few years. Polystyrene (PS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are other major application segments of the anti-static agents market. Upsurge in disposable income and changes in lifestyle of consumers in developing countries such as China, India, and countries in GCC are likely to boost consumption of plastics. This, in turn, is expected to fuel demand for anti-static agents as they are used as key functional additives during the processing of plastics. Consumption of anti-static agents in key downstream markets, especially electronic and automotive components, is anticipated to be another major factor boosting demand for anti-static agents during the forecast period. However, volatility in prices of raw materials, such as ethylene oxide and fatty acids, coupled with governmental regulations in developed regions are estimated to restrain the market growth during the forecast period.
Ethoxylated alkamines was the largest product segment, accounting for over 35% share of the global anti-static agents market in 2014- They are used in polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) applications. Polypropylene (PP) has been the largest application segment of the global anti-static agents market during the past few years. Anti-static agents reduce the overall static decay time, thus making plastic surfaces electrically conductive. Fatty acid esters and alkyl sulfonate are other major product segments of the anti-static agents market. In terms of demand, Asia Pacific dominated the global anti-static agents market in 2014. This trend is expected to continue in the near future. Growth in key downstream markets such as automotive components, electronic components, and packaging industries is expected to boost demand for anti-static agents in the next few years. Demand for anti-static agents is estimated to be sluggish in Europe and North America due to heavy governmental regulations coupled with saturated end-user markets in these regions. Latin America is likely to witness steady growth, while Middle East & Africa is projected to be the fastest-growing market for anti-static agents in the near future.
Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of over 45% of the global anti-static agents market in 2014, with growth in this region primarily by high consumption of plastics in packaging, automotive, and electronic industries. China, India, and countries in ASEAN are expected to drive growth of the anti-static agents market by 2023. In terms of demand, Europe held the second-largest share of the anti-static agents market in 2014. However, volatile prices of raw materials, such as fatty acids, amines, and ethylene oxide, and rising governmental regulations regarding usage of raw materials such as amines in developed countries are expected to hamper demand for anti-static agents in the region. The market in North America and Europe are projected to exhibit sluggish growth during the forecast period, while the market in Latin America is likely to witness steady growth rate. Middle East & Africa is expected to be the fastest-growing region due to high consumption of anti-static agents in polyolefins coupled with broad end-production base of plastics in the region. Increasing per capita consumption of plastics coupled with development of automotive and electronic sectors in countries such as India, China, and other countries in ASEAN are projected to propel the market for anti-static agents in Asia Pacific. Furthermore, increased consumption of plastics in rigid and flexible packaging in these countries is estimated to drive demand for anti-static agents during the forecast period. Polypropylene followed by high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were major end-user applications of the anti-static agents market in 2014. However, volatile prices related to raw materials, such as amines, ethylene oxide, and fatty acids, are likely to adversely affect the market growth in the near future. China accounted for the largest share of the anti-static agents market in Asia Pacific in 2014. The anti-static agents market in the region is projected to exhibit rapid growth in the next few years. High density polyethylene (HDPE) is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for anti-static agents in China by 2023 as it is one of the fastest-growing application segments. Germany, Italy, and the U.K. dominated demand for anti-static agents in Europe in 2014. Plastic packaging and automotive industries were major end-users of anti-static agents in this region. However, the market share of Europe is expected to decline due to heavy regulations regarding VOC emissions imposed on the manufacture of raw materials required in the production of anti-static agents as well as plastics. The U.S. dominated the market for anti-static agents in North America in 2014. However, the anti-static agents market in the U.S. is expected to exhibit sluggish growth in the near future as end-user industries are well-established in this country. Brazil constituted the largest share of the anti-static agents market in Latin America in 2014. Growth in packaging and automotive end-user industries is expected to fuel demand for anti-static agents, especially in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico in this region. Middle East & Africa is projected to be the fastest-growing region for anti-static agents in the near future. Abundance of plastics and petrochemical resources is expected boost demand for anti-static agents by the end of 2023.
Polypropylene (PP) was the largest application segment of the anti-static agents market in 2014. However, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) are expected to create significant growth opportunities for the anti-static agents market during the forecast period. Rising usage of bio-based resources are likely to be potential substitutes for anti-static agents, derived from petrochemicals, by the end of 2023. Anti-static agents are used on material surfaces to prevent the build-up of static electrical charge due to the transfer of electrons. It makes the material conductive either by being conductive itself or by absorbing the moisture from the surrounding. These agents are biodegradable, free of sodium and potassium, and do not carry any environmental risk. Quaternary ammonium salt, long chain aliphatic amines and amides, polyethylene glycol, esters of phosphoric acid, long-chain alkyl phenols, ethoxylated amines, and glycerol esters are some of the types of anti-static agents used worldwide. These anti-static agents improves the process ability by providing excellent external and internal lubrication.
Currently, metals are being replaced by plastics in electronic components due to their higher flexibility, high cost effectiveness and light weight which in turn is increasing the demand for anti-static agents. In electronic components, anti-static agents help to prevent sparks and safeguard them from electrostatic dissipation. The increasing demand in electronics and packaging industries are contributing to the growth of the global antistatic agent market. The presence of different alternatives for antistatic agents coupled with the volatile cost of raw materials can restrain the growth of the market.

The global antistatic agents market is segmented on the basis of application and geography. The application segment includes electronics, industrial packaging, coating, gaming, military jet fuel and digital signage. Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and LAMEA. The companies are concentrating on research and development activities to deliver innovative products in the market. The companies in global anti-static agent’s market are focusing more on new product development as a growth strategy. The Foster Corp. launched the new non-migratory anti-static agent, which has been manufactured by using polyether block amide polymer additive, in order to maintain continuous anti-static properties in 2014. Key players in the global antistatic agent market include BASF, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries, 3M, Safic-Alcan Deutschland GmbH, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Cytec Industries Inc., and Akzonobel. Technavio's analysts forecast the global antistatic agents market to grow at a CAGR of 4.35%, in terms of revenue over the period 2014-2019.

Research and Markets reports that the global antistatic agents market to grow at a CAGR of 4.35%, in terms of revenue over the period 2014-2019. The rise in the number of end-use applications will push the global antistatic agents market during the forecast period. The continuous R&D and innovation in the antistatic agents' space will come up with the latest product offering that will not only be acting as antistatic agents but also offering the functionality of various other additives. According to the report, the demand for antistatic agents is anticipated to grow manifold in this application, which in turn will drive the global antistatic agents market. The functionality of antistatic agents will also attract a number of different applications that will begin to use antistatic agents as additives in their manufacturing of various materials.

As per GrandViewMarkets, global anti-static agents market is expected to witness significant growth over the next seven years. These agents are used to reduce the charges on surface of the polymers and increase the conductivity of the product. Long chain aliphatic amines, esters of phosphoric acid, quaternary ammonium salts, alkyl phenol, polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated amines and glycerol esters are the various types of anti-static agents available in the market. Physical properties such as low toxic, high ionic strength and non hazardous is expected to benefit the overall market demand over the forecast period. This agent improves mold release, process ability and improves external & internal lubrication. These agents serve numerous end-use industries such as industrial packaging, electronics, coatings, military jet fuels and electronics.
Packaging industry utilizes anti-static agents to avoid electrical discharge during transportation. They are also used for producing textile dyes as setting agents. Growing demand for this agent based polyurethane foams used in beddings, furniture and automotive seats is expected to widen the application range.
Huge increase in cationic fixation based additives for inkjet paper coating has played a crucial role in the global anti-static agent market growth. Jet fuel industry uses this agent as an additive to improve fuel performance. Increase in industry participants have led to new technological advances in jet fuel anti-static additives such as Stadis 425 and Dorf Ketal’s SR 1795. This compound is also used in electronics devices to prevent sparks and safeguard various parts from electrostatic dissipation. Massive unconventional hydrocarbon production in North America, China and Russia has pushed the oil & gas prices to extremely low levels. Such a downturn in oil & gas prices had a proportional effect on anti-static agent prices. Since oil & gas industry is the main raw materials supplier, any fluctuations in these prices is expected to have direct impact on the market. This factor along with the above mentioned factors are expected to drive the overall anti-static agents market. However, easy availability of cheaper substitutes in the market is expected to hinder the global anti-static market growth over the next seven years. Differing government rules and regulations in various countries is expected to further dampen the global market. Industry participants have invested heavily in R&D initiatives to develop products with superior quality at economic prices. These strategies are expected to create ample opportunities for the industry players to gain competitive advantage.
Asia Pacific anti-static agents market dominated the overall regional share owing surge in demand from packaging industry. Countries such as India, China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia held the significant share in the overall region. Electronics industry has also observed significant growth over the past few years in Japan and China. This may also benefit the overall market revenue.
Availability of economic labor force in developing countries in Africa is expected to gain attention of various market players. This trend is expected to help develop the regional market over the next seven years. North America played a significant role in the overall industry. U.S. showed increase in demand for anti-static agents over the past few years.
AkzoNobel, LyondellBasell, BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemurs & Co., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Evonik Industries and 3M Electronics dominated the global anti-static agents’ market revenue share in 2014. Important brands of this product include Mono Coat, Lanco, Cystat, Basionics and Entira. Other important business players include Safic Alcan Deutschland Gmbh, Cytec Industries Inc., Industries, Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co. Ltd., Armostat, BTC, Noble Biomaterials, Tianyu Textiles, W.L. Gore and Associates Inc., Kimya Sanayii AS and Swicofil. Major market participants adapt frequent M&As and new product launches to widen their business reach and gain sustainability in the industry.