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MarketsandMarkets projects that The cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) market is projected to grow from USD 7.6 billion in 2023 to USD 11.0  billion by 2028, recording a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is a type of polyethylene characterized by a multitude of interconnected links, creating a three-dimensional network of high-molecular-weight compounds. These molecular bonds resulting from cross-linking significantly enhance various properties of polyethylene, including its resistance to heat deformation, abrasion, chemicals, and stress cracking. The process of cross-linking transforms polyethylene from a thermoplastic material into a thermosetting one, making it considerably stronger. There are several methods to induce cross-linking in polyethylene, such as employing peroxides, silane grafting, or using electron beams. PEX finds applications in diverse fields, including construction for plumbing and tubing systems, hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, as well as serving as insulation for high-voltage electrical cables.

The key players in the cross-link polyethylene (PEX) market are Dow, Inc. (US), Borealis AG (Austria), LyondellBasell Industries Holding B.V. (Netherlands), Avient Corporation (US), Exxon Mobil Corporation (US), Finproject S.p.A. (Italy), SACO AEI Polymers (US), HDC Hyundai EP Company (South Korea) and 3H Vinacom Co., Ltd (China)  among others.. The PEX (Crossed-Linked Polyethylene) Market  report analyzes the key growth strategies adopted by the leading market players, between 2018 and 2023, which include expansions, merger & acquisition, new product developments, and collaborations.

To know about the assumptions considered for the study download the pdf brochure

Dow, Inc. is a materials science company and is engaged in the development of innovative solutions. Dow, Inc. operates across 31 countries and has 104 manufacturing sites across the globe. The company operates through four main reporting segments: Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure, Performance Materials and Coatings, and Corporate. Within the Packaging and Specialty Plastics segment, Dow, Inc. has two integrated businesses: Hydrocarbons and Energy, and Packaging and Specialty Plastics. The Hydrocarbons and Energy business offers a range of products including propylene, ethylene, butadiene, benzene, octene, power, and various aromatics co-products. On the other hand, the Packaging and Specialty Plastics business provides products, such as bio-based plasticizers, ethylene copolymer resins, methacrylic acid copolymer resins, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE), and elastomers. These products find applications in various industries, such as caps, closures, and pipes. The Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure segment covers industrial solutions, polyurethanes, and construction chemicals. The Performance Materials and Coatings segment offers coatings, performance monomers, and consumer solutions. The four regional segments of Dow, Inc. are EMEAI (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India), the US and Canada, Asia Pacific, and Latin America

Borealis AG is a company specializing in chemical and plastic solutions. The company has a global presence spanning Europe, the US, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. The company organizes its business into three primary reportable segments: Polyolefins, Base Chemicals, and Borealis NITRO. Through its Polyolefins segment, Borealis manufactures and markets a range of polyolefin products, primarily targeting five key market sectors: pipes and fittings systems, energy, automotive, consumer products, and the development of new business ventures focusing on circular economy solutions. It operates in the PEX industry through the Polyolefins segment. Borealis's Base chemicals segment includes products, such as phenol/acetone (phenol and acetone), feedstock (naphtha and liquefied natural gas (LPG)), and olefins (ethylene, propylene, and butadiene). The company's Borealis NITRO segment carries out the production and marketing of technical nitrogen, melamine, and fertilizers. In 2017, The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owned 64% shares of the company, with the remaining 36% belonging to OMV Aktiengesellschaft (Austria), an international integrated oil & gas company in Vienna. However, in 2020, OMV's ownership in Borealis had increased to 75%, whereas Mubadala's stake had decreased to 25%. Borealis operates globally and offers a range of products and services in partnership with Borouge, a collaborative venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

LyondellBasell Industries Holding B.V. is one of the world’s largest plastics, chemicals, and oil refining companies. It operates in 6 main segments, namely, Olefins and Polyolefins-Americas (O&P-Americas); Olefins and Polyolefins-Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI); Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D); Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS); Refining; and Technology. The O&P-Americas segment produces and markets olefins, including ethylene and ethylene co-products and polyolefins. The O&P-EAI segment produces and markets olefins, including ethylene and ethylene co-products, polyolefins, and polypropylene compounds. The I&D segment produces and markets propylene oxide and its co-products and derivatives, acetyls, and oxygenated fuels. The refining segment produces gasoline and diesel fuel. The technology segment develops chemicals and polyolefin process technologies and manufactures and sells polyolefin catalysts. The company conducts its PEX business through the O&P-Americas and O&P-EAI segments. The company sells its products in more than 100 countries and is the world’s largest producer of polymer compounds and the largest licensor of polyolefin technologies.

Other companies have initiated the following developments:

• In June 2023, Avient Corporation is expanding its reSound BIO bio-based and reSound REC recycled content Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) portfolios by launching a new range of halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) grades. These grades incorporate recycled and bio-based resin to meet the rising demand for sustainable materials in consumer electronics, such as USB-C connector cable jackets. These new grades ensure compliance with stringent flame retardancy standards while maintaining excellent performance and processability.In May  2023, Ionbond Mexico joined the Mexican Association of Surface Finishers (AMAS). By joining AMAS, Ionbond Mexico can learn and advance together with other companies in the industry, exchange information about the science and technology of surface finishing, and participate in specialized training, courses, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and technical sessions.
• In January 2023, Avient Corporation launched a range of innovative cross-linkable formulations called ECCOH XL Cross-Linkable Solutions, designed to enhance the sustainability of photovoltaic cables used in solar energy applications. These formulations comply with REACH regulations and are specifically engineered for long-term outdoor use, exhibiting excellent resistance to UV radiation and adverse weather conditions.
• In september 2021, Versalis, Eni's chemical company, acquired full ownership of Finproject, including its subsidiary Padanaplast, while retaining all of the existing management and employees. This strategic merger aims to establish a leading supply chain in the specialty polymer market, enhancing Versalis' competitive position.
• In October 2020, Padanaplast announced that it was offering new advanced HFFR compounds for high-performance wires and cables for electric vehicles. The new compounds are designed to meet the stringent requirements of electric mobility, including high-temperature resistance, flame retardancy, and low smoke emission. The new compounds are based on Padanaplast's proprietary XLPO-HFFR technology, which uses a silane-grafting process to crosslink the polymer chains. This results in a material with excellent mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and low smoke emission

Related Reports:

Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Market by Type (HDPE, LDPE), Technology (PEXa, PEXb, PEXc), End-use Industry (Wires & Cables, Plumbing, Automotive), Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, MEA) - Global Forecast to 2028

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