Amine-Based Epoxy Hardeners Market

Demand drivers for amine hardeners are dominated by wind energy applications and the broader composites market. Blades are constantly becoming larger and depend on epoxy resins that cure using cycloaliphatic amines and polyetheramines. Those materials offer low viscosity, controllable exotherm, good fatigue performance and good adhesion to glass and carbon fibres. With the expansion of the renewable fleet worldwide to meet climate objectives, each next generation of blades uses more resin and hardener, thus increasing consumption. Outside wind, the composites market is rapidly expanding into aerospace, automotive lightweight applications, sporting goods and pressure vessels where amine curing agents give the required mechanical properties, thermal stability and strength. Auctions of offshore wind sites, government support programs, and the growing number of repowering activities in Europe, China, India, and the United States all serve as catalysts to this trend. Since amine hardeners are flexible enough to be used in slow, medium and fast infusion processes, their formulation matches large-scale production well, which gives them an edge over other hardeners.

The prices of amine hardeners are based on petrochemical feedstocks like ethylene, ammonia, propylene oxide, ethylene diamine, and other intermediaries. They change in line with crude oil, natural gas, and regional supply-demand dynamics. Price fluctuations in energy, unexpected shutdowns at plants, logistical problems, or export/import constraints could cause rapid rise in costs, which manufacturers are not able to recover from their clients. Epoxy hardener manufacturers usually sell in competitive and contractual markets within the coatings, adhesives, and composite applications, where buyers do not like price increases. It negatively affects financial planning and agreement making processes. Small-sized producers are highly vulnerable to price fluctuations due to lack of diversification and backward integration capabilities. Moreover, price volatility makes some end-users reluctant to work with epoxy systems for price-sensitive applications, which leads to substitution. Concentration of certain intermediate production in limited regions also carries supply chain risks as evidenced by recent global disruption. As a response to the problem, companies enter into long-term sourcing agreements, produce regionally, build inventories, which increases expenses. The situation will stay unchanged until supply of feedstocks is diversified or alternative bio-based sources are developed.

Sustainability has become a significant growth opportunity for those that can provide either renewable or reduced impact hardeners. Renewable hardener alternatives like cardanol-based phenalkamines, plant oil and sugar-based amines, and semi-bio derived polyamides have become more appealing to customers of coatings, composites and adhesives. More brand owners, wind turbine manufacturers and construction companies are setting themselves goals in carbon reduction and usage of recycled and renewable materials, thus driving demand for products with credible lifecycle data and certifications. Biogenic phenalkamines are currently delivering great results in terms of cold and wet surface curing and thus are commercially viable rather than just environmentally friendly option. The emergence of new opportunities for development of reprocessable and recyclable epoxy resin systems, such as amine cured systems aimed for chemical recycling of polymers, could solve the issue of end-of-life management for composites. Manufacturers that manage to ensure feedstock supply and production of sustainable products at scale will be able to charge premium prices and establish long-term partnerships with their customers. Government funds for green chemistry and increasingly strict environmental requirements also make the transition easier.

It is challenging for formulators to reconcile cure rate, pot life, physical properties, and applicability in amine-cured resin systems. Quick ambient cure tends to reduce pot life, whereas systems with slow cure rate and long pot life tend to affect efficiency. Amines can react with water and carbon dioxide under low temperatures and high humidity and result in amine blush, tackiness of the surface and poor intercoat adhesion. Although aromatic amines have good chemical and thermal resistance, they are yellowing, need to be heated, whereas aliphatic and cycloaliphatic amines are cured quickly at room temperature but are brittle or expensive. The requirement of obtaining low viscosity for infusion without any volatile solvent but having high glass transition temperature and toughness is difficult technologically. The field conditions are wide ranging from offshore environment which is cold to tropical environment which is very hot and sometimes applicator may not follow the optimal way for mixing and curing of resins, resulting in failure of the application and warranty claim. Thus satisfying all requirements demands extensive formulation knowledge and technical service, increasing development cost.