Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Size & Industry Report, 2033

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Overview

The Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market size was valued at USD 4180.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6429.45 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2033.

The global polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) market has seen considerable growth driven by the polymer’s exceptional thermal resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical properties. As of 2024, global PPS production exceeded 78,000 metric tons annually, with more than 47% consumed in the Asia-Pacific region. PPS exhibits a melting point of 280°C and a decomposition temperature above 400°C, making it suitable for demanding applications in automotive, aerospace, and electronics. The polymer is used across more than 31 industrial sectors, and over 1,200 products incorporate PPS-based components. The market includes more than 120 active manufacturing facilities globally, with production hubs located in China, Japan, the U.S., and Germany. Injection-grade PPS comprises over 62% of total consumption, primarily in under-the-hood automotive parts and high-temperature electrical insulators. Fiber-grade PPS accounts for approximately 18% of total production, with major applications in filtration fabrics and flame-resistant garments. PPS demand is accelerating due to tightening environmental regulations, which promote the replacement of metal parts with high-performance thermoplastics. In 2023 alone, over 8.7 million vehicles incorporated PPS-based parts, including fuel systems, turbo components, and transmission modules.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Increased automotive and electrical applications due to heat and chemical resistance.

Top Country/Region: China leads global PPS production and consumption.

Top Segment: Injection-grade PPS holds the dominant share due to its widespread use in molded components.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Trends

The PPS market is experiencing several key trends centered around performance optimization, sustainability, and end-use diversification. In 2024, more than 39,000 metric tons of PPS were consumed in the automotive sector, where the polymer's thermal stability and dimensional accuracy supported weight reduction goals. Hybrid and electric vehicle applications accounted for over 14,000 metric tons of PPS demand, particularly in battery housing and powertrain insulation components.

In electronics, PPS is increasingly used in high-temperature connectors, sockets, and coil bobbins. More than 5.3 billion electronic devices incorporated PPS materials in 2023, with over 15,000 metric tons of PPS utilized in electronic assembly and encapsulation. Flame-retardant properties—achieving UL94 V-0 ratings without halogen additives—have made PPS a material of choice in densely packed electronic circuits and EV power modules.

Fiber-grade PPS has gained traction in the filtration and technical textile industry. In 2024, over 9,600 metric tons of PPS fiber were used in filter bags, especially in power plants, cement kilns, and metallurgical facilities. These fibers withstand continuous exposure to temperatures above 190°C and resist aggressive chemical environments, increasing filter service life by over 30% compared to conventional aramids.

The demand for glass-fiber reinforced PPS has surged, with more than 60% of the market now using reinforced compounds. In 2023, over 31,000 metric tons of PPS composites were produced, offering improved strength, thermal conductivity, and stiffness. Manufacturers have also started producing PPS blends with PTFE, enhancing wear resistance in dynamic applications such as gears and pump parts.

Environmentally, PPS is gaining interest due to its recyclability and lower life-cycle emissions compared to metal alternatives. More than 17 companies have launched PPS recycling initiatives in 2023–2024, recovering over 2,400 metric tons from post-industrial waste. These recycled materials are reprocessed into non-critical components, reducing overall raw material demand.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising demand from automotive and electronics sectors.

The primary driver for PPS market growth is the increased use of engineering plastics in high-temperature and chemically aggressive environments. In 2024, over 48% of all PPS consumption was linked to the automotive industry. With global EV production crossing 14 million units in 2023, PPS demand surged for motor insulators, power connectors, and battery system components. Electrical and electronics sectors contributed 31% of global PPS usage, with over 2.8 billion connectors and casings made using PPS compounds. Regulations mandating lightweight vehicles and halogen-free flame retardants have further reinforced PPS as a preferred solution in multiple verticals.

Restraints

High raw material costs and limited global suppliers.

A significant restraint facing the PPS market is the limited availability and fluctuating cost of its key monomer—p-dichlorobenzene. In 2024, the price of p-dichlorobenzene rose by 12.3% due to tightened environmental controls in production regions like China and Japan. Only six countries globally have large-scale PPS manufacturing capabilities, leading to constrained supply. In addition, the energy-intensive nature of PPS polymerization increases the operational costs for manufacturers. Production of one metric ton of PPS requires approximately 3,200 kWh of electricity, adding pressure on regions with high energy tariffs.

Opportunities

Growing use of PPS in aerospace, filtration, and medical sectors.

There is an emerging opportunity for PPS adoption in aerospace and defense applications. Over 1,300 aircraft produced in 2023 used PPS components for airframe electrical insulation and interior flame-retardant panels. PPS meets FAR 25.853 flammability standards and offers resistance to hydraulic fluids and fuels, making it ideal for aerospace environments. In the medical field, PPS is gaining usage in surgical devices, with over 670,000 PPS-based instruments produced globally in 2024. PPS’s sterilization compatibility, biostability, and strength make it ideal for reusable medical equipment. Additionally, industrial filtration systems installed in 2023 consumed over 11,000 metric tons of PPS fibers across mining and chemical sectors.

Challenges

Competition from lower-cost engineering polymers.

PPS faces increasing competition from polymers like PEEK, PA46, and high-temperature nylons, especially in price-sensitive applications. In 2024, over 9,000 metric tons of potential PPS demand were substituted with PA46 due to cost savings in non-critical automotive and electronic parts. In addition, some applications are shifting toward blends of standard engineering plastics with flame retardants or fillers, which mimic PPS performance at lower cost. OEMs often prefer to avoid PPS unless thermal resistance above 200°C is required. This challenge is especially notable in emerging markets, where cost control overrides long-term performance advantages.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Segmentation

By Type

Injection Grade PPS: Injection-grade PPS accounted for more than 48,000 metric tons of global consumption in 2024. Used extensively in automotive, electrical, and appliance components, this grade supports complex mold designs and rapid cycle times. Over 82% of injection-grade PPS used globally is reinforced with glass fibers, with over 650 product SKUs in circulation.
Fiber Grade PPS: Fiber-grade PPS represented 14,000 metric tons in 2024, primarily consumed in industrial filtration fabrics. These fibers have high modulus and retain up to 92% tensile strength after 1,000 hours of high-temperature exposure. PPS filter bags are widely used in smelters, cement kilns, and waste incinerators.
Others: Other PPS forms, including extruded sheet, film, and compounds blended with PTFE or carbon fiber, totaled around 16,000 metric tons in 2024. These are used in pump housings, gaskets, sliding elements, and radiation shielding panels.

By Application

Electronic Appliances: Over 18,000 metric tons of PPS were used in electronics in 2024, with top applications in connectors, relays, switches, and coil bobbins. PPS components can withstand 260°C reflow soldering without deformation.
PPS Fiber: Approximately 14,200 metric tons were consumed as fiber, mainly in filter media and technical textiles. PPS filter systems captured over 630,000 metric tons of airborne particulate matter in 2023.
Automobile Industry: Automotive applications accounted for over 39,000 metric tons of PPS in 2024. Engine covers, fuel rail components, and EGR systems are commonly molded using PPS due to their resistance to automotive fluids and temperatures.
Military & Aerospace: Defense and aerospace applications used 5,800 metric tons of PPS in 2024. Components include cabin interiors, wire harnesses, and structural inserts for drones and UAVs.
Others: About 7,100 metric tons of PPS were used across appliances, power tools, and pump housings. Domestic appliances like water heaters and ovens used PPS for their thermal insulation properties.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market Regional Outlook

North America

North America consumed over 18,000 metric tons of PPS in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for approximately 15,600 metric tons. The automotive sector was the leading consumer, with over 8,700 metric tons used in fuel systems, connectors, and under-the-hood components. In the electronics sector, over 5,000 metric tons were processed into high-temperature connectors and switches. The region also saw over $620 million invested in R&D for high-performance thermoplastics, with more than 28 innovation centers working on advanced PPS formulations and composites.

Europe

Europe accounted for over 14,700 metric tons of PPS consumption in 2024, with Germany, France, and Italy as leading consumers. Germany alone used over 6,300 metric tons, primarily in automotive and industrial machinery. European appliance manufacturers consumed over 2,100 metric tons of PPS in water heaters, dishwashers, and kitchen appliances. Over 70% of PPS consumed in Europe was reinforced with glass or mineral fillers to meet strength and dimensional stability requirements. Strict REACH compliance also boosted demand for halogen-free flame-retardant PPS formulations.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific was the largest region, with over 39,000 metric tons of PPS consumed in 2024. China alone consumed over 21,000 metric tons, driven by electronics and electric vehicle production. Japan used 8,200 metric tons, particularly in precision electronics, automotive parts, and air filtration systems. South Korea, Taiwan, and India combined used 9,800 metric tons. More than 58% of global PPS production capacity is located in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 20 plants operational across China, Japan, and South Korea.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa accounted for approximately 6,200 metric tons of PPS in 2024. The UAE and Saudi Arabia used over 3,200 metric tons, largely in industrial filtration systems and desalination plants. South Africa used 1,700 metric tons in mining and power generation applications. Increasing investments in high-temperature filtration and renewable energy infrastructure are driving PPS demand in the region. Over 12 industrial projects involving PPS-based materials were initiated in 2023–2024 across MEA.

List of Top Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Companies

Toray
Solvay
DIC
Celanese
SK Chemical
Kureha
Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd
Tosoh
Toyobo
Ko Yo Chemical
Letian Plastics
Lumena New Materials
Chongqing Glion New Material
Zhuhai Changxian New Material

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

Toray: Toray led the global PPS market in 2024, producing over 21,400 metric tons of PPS. The company operates three manufacturing plants in Japan and China, with a combined capacity of 28,000 metric tons. Toray supplied PPS to more than 410 global clients across automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries.

Kureha: Kureha followed closely with over 17,800 metric tons of PPS output. Its Iwaki plant in Japan operates at near full capacity and supplies more than 38% of all PPS fiber used globally. Kureha introduced four new grades of PPS in 2023 designed for high modulus and heat-resistant applications.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investments in PPS manufacturing, technology, and applications exceeded $1.2 billion in 2023–2024. Over 28 capacity expansion projects and 17 greenfield initiatives were launched worldwide. In China, Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd invested over $310 million to expand PPS production capacity by 15,000 metric tons/year at its Shaoxing plant. The facility is expected to be fully operational by Q3 2025 and will cater to increasing demand from EV manufacturers.

In the United States, Celanese committed $180 million toward a PPS compounding unit in Texas with a dedicated R&D lab for new PPS blends. This plant will boost Celanese’s production by over 9,000 metric tons annually. Similarly, in Europe, Solvay invested €145 million in Belgium to develop high-purity PPS compounds for aerospace and medical applications.

Opportunities also emerged in post-consumer recycling, with over 2,400 metric tons of PPS collected from electrical and automotive waste in 2023. More than 11 recycling startups across Germany, Japan, and the U.S. secured over $95 million in combined funding to scale chemical recycling processes that retain PPS molecular integrity.

In India, over 7 public-sector projects related to high-temperature filtration have included PPS fiber supply contracts worth over $85 million. The Middle East also saw new demand, with ADNOC allocating $38 million to develop high-temperature filter systems using PPS-based textiles in oil refining plants.

With PPS demand from aerospace and EVs expected to rise significantly, opportunities exist in both upstream (monomer supply chain) and downstream (component integration and value-added services). Over 33 patents were filed globally in 2024 for novel PPS formulations and applications.

New Product Development

Between 2023 and 2024, over 55 new grades of PPS were introduced globally, targeting diverse sectors such as electronics, filtration, automotive, and medical devices. In Q1 2024, Toray launched its “Toray PPS T-8000” series with improved electrical insulation, rated for 280°C continuous service. Over 1,100 metric tons of this grade were sold in the first three quarters.

Solvay introduced PPS compounded with fluorinated polymers to reduce friction in dynamic bearing components. This new blend achieved a 17% improvement in wear resistance and was adopted in more than 120 OEM automotive programs globally.

Kureha expanded its fiber-grade PPS portfolio with four new formulations designed for industrial filters. These new fibers demonstrated 28% higher tensile retention after 2,000 hours at 180°C, making them ideal for cement and steel plant filters. Over 8,000 bags made from these fibers were deployed in North America and India in 2024.

DIC introduced a transparent PPS grade for sensors and LED components in electronics. This product maintained 89% optical transmission while sustaining mechanical integrity at 200°C. Over 900,000 units of optical devices integrated this material within the first six months of launch.

Toyobo developed a medical-grade PPS with improved sterilization resistance. This grade withstands over 600 autoclave cycles without mechanical degradation. It was adopted in manufacturing over 380,000 surgical tools and diagnostic devices globally. More than 17 companies are now exploring the use of PPS in reusable and single-use medical devices.

Overall, product development efforts focused on increasing temperature resistance, mechanical performance, and chemical resistance while reducing costs. More than 43% of new grades launched in 2024 included environmentally improved processing additives that reduced emissions during compounding.

Five Recent Developments

Toray expanded its PPS capacity by 12,000 metric tons/year in China, commissioning a new plant in Suzhou in Q2 2024.
Solvay signed a strategic agreement with Airbus to supply aerospace-grade PPS for over 3,200 aircraft components starting Q4 2024.
Kureha launched a PPS recycling pilot program in Japan, recovering over 680 metric tons of industrial PPS scrap for reuse.
Celanese began construction of a $180 million PPS compounding plant in Texas, expected to be operational by mid-2025.
Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. developed a new PPS/PA blend with enhanced flexibility and chemical resistance, used in battery management systems for EVs.

Report Coverage of Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Market

This report comprehensively analyzes the global polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) market across production, application, investment, innovation, and regional trends from 2023 to 2024. Covering over 120 manufacturers and 45 consuming countries, it includes insights into production volumes, grade-specific demand, sectoral consumption, and market forces.

The report details global PPS production exceeding 78,000 metric tons in 2024 and provides segmentation by injection grade, fiber grade, and other specialty grades. The application landscape spans automotive, electronics, aerospace, filtration, and medical industries, each supported by case-specific data and usage trends.

Regional coverage includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. PPS usage in Asia-Pacific led the global market with over 39,000 metric tons consumed, driven by industrial growth in China, Japan, and South Korea. The report also tracks over 28 major infrastructure and capacity expansion projects contributing to global PPS availability.

The competitive landscape highlights 14 key companies, including Toray, Kureha, Solvay, Celanese, and others. It identifies production capacity, strategic alliances, technological upgrades, and patent activity. Toray and Kureha remain dominant, contributing over 50% of global PPS supply.

The report includes over 70 investment projects and 55 product development initiatives, emphasizing innovation in PPS grades for EVs, aerospace, filtration, and medical use. Sustainability trends such as recycling and low-emission processing are explored, with data on waste recovery volumes and eco-certification progress.

From monomer supply constraints to end-use diversification, this report equips stakeholders with actionable intelligence on supply-demand equilibrium, pricing behavior, production bottlenecks, and opportunities across emerging markets.