Research status and development trend of compatibilizers

In the field of polymer materials, the compatibility among different polymers has always been a key issue that restricts the improvement of material properties and the expansion of innovative applications. Most polymer blending systems are thermodynamically incompatible, and it is difficult to achieve uniform dispersion and stable structure formation of the components solely through simple mechanical blending, resulting in material properties far below expectations. Compatibilizers, as core additives for improving the compatibility of polymer blending systems, can effectively reduce interfacial tension, enhance interphase adhesion, and promote the formation of a uniform and stable microstructure in the system, thereby significantly improving the comprehensive performance of materials. They play an indispensable role in numerous industries such as plastics, rubber, and coatings. In-depth research on compatibilizers not only helps optimize and upgrade the performance of existing polymer materials but also serves as an important cornerstone for promoting the research, development, and application of high-performance and multifunctional new materials. In the context of the rapid development of materials science and technology, it holds extremely important practical significance.

I. Research status

(I) Market size and growth trend

According to data from the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, the domestic demand for polymer material modification is expected to exceed 40 million tons by 2025. Specifically, the proportion of composite materials requiring the addition of compatibilizers is projected to rise from the current 18% to 25%, directly driving the annual demand for compatibilizers to 620,000 tons. In 2023, the global market for compatibilizers reached a value of $2.86 billion, and it is anticipated to surpass $3.5 billion by 2025. From 2025 to 2030, the Chinese market is expected to grow from 8.5 billion yuan to between 13 billion and 15 billion yuan, while the global market is projected to climb from $4.87 billion to $7.23 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. This growth is primarily attributed to industrial upgrading demands such as lightweighting of automobiles, miniaturization of electronic devices, and the rise of green packaging, as well as the expansion of emerging application areas like bio-based materials and high-performance engineering plastic alloys.

(II) Product type and technical route

1. Maleic anhydride grafted compatibilizer

Having long dominated the market, its domestic market share is expected to reach 46.3% in 2025, with a global market share of 55%. It is widely used in the field of polyolefin modification and boasts mature technology. For instance, in PP/PA6 blending systems, it can increase the notch impact strength by over 300% and enhance the tensile modulus by 40%. As its application fields expand, the performance requirements continue to rise. Currently, the grafting rate of maleic anhydride has increased from the traditional 0.8% to 1.5%, and the compatibility efficiency has improved by over 20%.

2. Novel reactive compatibilizers such as epoxy groups and amine groups

The market share has seen significant growth, with an expected increase from 12% in 2022 to 28% by 2030 domestically. In particular, the penetration rate in the polyolefin/engineering plastics alloy field is expected to exceed 40%. They excel in improving the compatibility between polymers with significant polarity differences, playing a pivotal role in the blending of special engineering plastics such as PA66/PTFE. This effectively enhances the comprehensive performance of materials, meeting the demands of high-end applications.

3. Non-reactive compatibilizer

Especially for nano-composite materials, there has been a breakthrough in interfacial bonding strength in electronic packaging materials, with an expected annual growth rate of 24.7%. Through the synergistic effect of nanoparticles and polymer matrices, the microstructure and properties of materials can be significantly improved, presenting broad application prospects in the electronics field where performance requirements are stringent.

4. Biocompatible agent

The annual growth rate of R&D investment has reached 15%, and it is expected that the global market share will exceed 20% by 2030. Represented by polylactic acid polycaprolactone copolymers and corn starch modified compatibilizers, these products have advantages such as biodegradability and environmental friendliness, aligning with the concept of sustainable development. They have great potential for applications in biomedical materials, green packaging, and other fields.

(III) Application Fields

1. Automotive industry

The trend towards lightweighting in automobiles has significantly increased the demand for compatibilizers, with each new energy vehicle requiring 40% more compatibilizer than traditional cars. These compatibilizers are widely used in material modifications for automotive interior parts, engine peripheral components, and battery pack casings. For instance, PP compatibilizers account for over 40% of the usage in automotive interior parts modifications, while PA compatibilizers make up 45% of the applications in automotive engine peripheral components.

2. Packaging field

Benefiting from the policy requirement to increase the proportion of recyclable materials to 60%, a new market space of $2.8 billion will be created. In plastic packaging films, compatibilizers can improve the adhesion between different polymer layers and enhance the comprehensive performance of packaging materials. For example, EVA and other compatibilizers are used in PE/PA co-extruded films to enhance interlayer adhesion. At the same time, the rise of bio-based and degradable packaging materials has driven the demand for biodegradable material compatibilizers. After the implementation of new regulations for disposable tableware in Europe, the price premium of certified products using starch-based PLA compatibilizers has increased by 25-30%.

3. Electronic and electrical appliances field

The development of miniaturization and high-performance electronic appliances, the construction of 5G base stations, and the upgrading of smart terminal devices are driving the demand for compatibilizers. For example, the use of compatibilizers for PC/ABS alloys has seen significant growth in the consumer electronics sector. Huawei adopted a new type of phosphate-based compatibilizer for the frame material of its flagship models in 2024, which improved the product's bending resistance by 30%. The penetration rate of PBT compatibilizers in the connector market is rapidly increasing. 5G communication equipment requires specialized compatibilizers with a dielectric loss lower than 0.002. Although only a few companies currently possess this technology, research and development enthusiasm is high.

4. Construction and building materials sector

The upgrading of green building materials standards has spurred the emergence of a new market for compatibilizers, with a market size of approximately 850 million yuan. In the modification of plastic pipes, door and window profiles, insulation materials, etc. for construction, compatibilizers can improve material properties, enhance product quality, and prolong service life. For instance, adding compatibilizers to PVC/wood powder composites enhances the interfacial compatibility and mechanical properties of the materials.

5. Biomedical field

Strict requirements are placed on biocompatibility and degradation controllability. Compatibilizers are used to improve the compatibility of biodegradable polymers with other components, and are applied in medical sutures, tissue engineering scaffolds, medical packaging, and other fields. For example, PHA compatibilizers have achieved breakthroughs in the field of medical sutures; multi-responsive compatibilizers can achieve dual sensitive regulation of temperature and pH value, and have achieved breakthrough applications in the field of medical packaging.

(IV) Competitive landscape

The competitive landscape of the global compatibilizer market exhibits a "bipolarization" trend. Leading enterprises, leveraging their advantages in technology, scale, and brand, have continuously increased market concentration, with the top five manufacturers' market share rising to 58%. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specializing in niche areas have achieved a 25-30% premium in niche markets such as medical polymer materials and 5G communication-specific materials through technological innovation. For instance, some enterprises have developed epoxy resin/polyolefin compatibilizers specifically for wind turbine blade recycling, gaining a competitive edge in this niche market. In terms of regional competition, the Yangtze River Delta region, with its well-established plastic processing industry chain, contributed 37.2% of the domestic market share in 2025. The Pearl River Delta region, benefiting from the agglomeration of the electronic and electrical appliance industry, is expected to grow at an annual rate 2-3 percentage points higher than the national average. Driven by policies promoting lightweight vehicles, the demand for nylon-based compatibilizers in North China has maintained an annual growth rate of over 15%.

II. Development Trends

(I) Technological innovation

1. Precise design of molecular structure

The functional group optimization system based on AI algorithms can predict the optimal ratio of molecular weight to polar groups of compatibilizers, significantly shortening the development cycle of new products. In the future, through more in-depth molecular simulation and calculation, it is expected to develop compatibilizers with more precise structures and superior performance, enabling precise compatibilization of specific polymer blending systems.

2. Optimization of production process

Supercritical fluid-assisted grafting technology has increased reaction efficiency by threefold and reduced energy consumption. In the future, more green and efficient production processes will continue to emerge, such as continuous reactive extrusion technology and microreactor technology, further enhancing production efficiency, reducing production costs, and minimizing environmental pollution.

3. Functional integration

Developing compatibilizers with multiple functions, such as flame retardant, antistatic, antibacterial, weather resistance, and compatibilization integration, will become a research hotspot and market growth point as material application scenarios become more complex.

(II) Green and sustainable development

1. Biobased and degradable compatibilizers

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and the promotion of relevant policies, the market demand for bio-based and degradable compatibilizers will continue to grow. In the future, more high-performance bio-based and degradable compatibilizers will be industrialized and widely applied in fields such as packaging, agriculture, and healthcare, contributing to the reduction of plastic pollution and the achievement of sustainable development.

2. Recycling and regeneration-specific compatibilizer

Driven by circular economy policies, the research and development of depolymerization compatibilizers specifically for chemical recycling has become a hot topic, with an expected 200% increase in related technology patents by 2030. Developing compatibilizers suitable for modifying recycled plastics can enhance the performance and added value of recycled plastics, promote the development of the plastics recycling industry, and reduce dependence on virgin resources.

(III) Market expansion and industrial synergy

1. Emerging market growth

Emerging markets such as India and Southeast Asia will maintain a growth rate of over 9%, becoming the main growth poles globally. The rapid development of manufacturing in these regions has created a strong demand for polymer materials, providing ample room for growth in the compatibilizer market. Domestic enterprises can increase their presence in emerging markets and expand their business scope.

2. Vertical integration of the industry chain

It is expected that 60% of leading enterprises will complete the upstream monomer raw material layout, achieve integrated development of the industrial chain, reduce raw material supply risks and costs, and enhance product competitiveness. At the same time, they will strengthen cooperation with downstream application enterprises, carry out customized product development, meet different customer needs, and increase product added value. For example, the number of cases where leading enterprises in modified plastics vertically expand into the compatibilizer business continues to increase. The scale of industry mergers and acquisitions transactions from 2024 to 2030 is expected to exceed 5 billion yuan.

Currently, the market for compatibilizers is experiencing steady growth, with a wide range of product types and applications in numerous fields, and the competitive landscape is gradually becoming clearer. In the future, compatibilizers will develop towards technological innovation, green sustainability, market expansion, and industrial synergy. Through continuous technological research and development, products with superior performance and comprehensive functions will be developed; in response to environmental protection calls, efforts will be made to vigorously develop bio-based, degradable, and recyclable products; and actively explore emerging markets, strengthen cooperation between upstream and downstream industries in the supply chain, and achieve high-quality and sustainable industrial development. This will not only bring new development opportunities to the compatibilizer industry itself, but also effectively promote progress in the field of polymer materials and related application industries.