US UPR Market Trends and Forecasts
Lucintel finds that the future of the US UPR material market looks promising with opportunities in construction, pipe and tank, marine, transportation, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods end uses. The US UPR market is expected to reach an estimated $2 billion by 2031 with a CAGR of 3% 2024 to 2031. The major driver for market growing demand for UPR in the construction industry, growth in automotive sector, and increasing demand for UPR in industrial applications.
Most of the US UPRs are made from raw materials like glycols (e.g., propylene glycol, diethylene glycol), unsaturated acids or anhydrides (e.g., maleic anhydride, fumaric acid), and saturated acids or anhydrides (e.g., phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid). To reduce viscosity and enable crosslinking during the curing process, typically a reactive diluent such as styrene monomer is used. Additionally, there are inhibitors (such as hydroquinone) used to control the polymerization process and fillers or additives in order to improve particular properties of resins. Typically, US unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) is favorably priced compared to other markets. Its lower manufacturing costs and availability of raw materials locally sometimes give US UPR a cost advantage. It should be noted that prices can fluctuate among different grades of resins in the market depending on quality and specific applications when compared with international counterparts.
• Lucintel forecasts that construction will remain the largest end use industry over the forecast period due to growing infrastructure projects, renovations, and the rising demand for lightweight, durable composite materials.
• Pultrusion will remain the largest manufacturing process over the forecast period due to superior strength-to-weight ratios for structural applications, and increased use of lightweight composites to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Country wise Outlook for the US UPR Market
The US UPR market is witnessing substantial growth, driven by increased demand from various end use industries such as pipe and tank, transportation, construction, construction, marine, electrical and electronics, and others. Major players in the market are expanding their operations and forming strategic partnerships to strengthen their positions. Below image highlights recent developments by major US UPR producers:
Emerging Trends in the US UPR Market
The US unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) market is evolving rapidly as industries push for more sustainable, lightweight, and high-performance materials. Driven by advancements in automotive, construction, and renewable energy sectors, UPR suppliers are shifting strategies to keep pace with environmental regulations and technological innovations. Several key trends are shaping the future direction of the UPR market in the US, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Rising Adoption of Bio-Based UPR: US manufacturers are increasingly turning toward bio-based formulations that use renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and recycled plastics. This shift helps reduce carbon footprints and supports the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions across automotive, construction, and consumer goods sectors.
• Growth of Low-VOC and Styrene-Free Resins: Environmental regulations in the US are pushing the industry toward cleaner resins. Low-VOC and styrene-free UPR formulations are gaining traction, as they improve workplace safety, reduce harmful emissions, and align with stricter environmental standards.
• Integration with Advanced Composites: UPR is being combined with glass fiber, nanomaterials, and other reinforcements to create high-performance composites. These enhanced materials are finding applications in automotive body panels, marine parts, and wind energy blades, where higher strength and durability are essential.
• Digitalization and Smart Manufacturing: US resin producers are adopting digital manufacturing techniques and automation to improve production efficiency, quality control, and supply chain management. Smart factories and data-driven processes are helping manufacturers remain competitive in a market where customization and speed are critical.
• Expansion in Renewable Energy Applications: The growing wind energy sector in the US is fueling demand for UPR-based composites, particularly in turbine blade manufacturing. UPR’s lightweight and durable properties make it a preferred material, and continued investments in renewable energy are expected to accelerate this trend.
The US UPR market is moving toward sustainability, cleaner production, and advanced applications across key industries. Bio-based resins, low-emission technologies, integration with advanced composites, digital manufacturing, and renewable energy applications are driving the next phase of growth. These emerging trends highlight the market’s transition from traditional uses to more innovative, eco-friendly, and high-performance solutions, positioning UPR as a critical material in the US industrial landscape.
Recent Developments by the US UPR Market
The U.S. unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) market is experiencing steady growth as industries such as automotive, construction, marine, and renewable energy seek lightweight, durable, and cost-efficient composite solutions. Growing emphasis on sustainability, technological innovation, and infrastructure expansion is shaping the direction of the market. Recent developments reflect both performance-driven enhancements and environmentally responsible practices.
• Rising Demand for Eco-Friendly Resins: There has been a noticeable increase in demand for eco-friendly UPR formulations. Industries are prioritizing sustainable materials with lower environmental impact, and manufacturers are responding by developing greener resin systems that meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
• Shift Toward Bio-Based and Advanced Formulations: The market is seeing the introduction of bio-based UPRs made from renewable feedstocks, alongside advanced grades with improved strength and heat resistance. These developments are helping UPR remain competitive while addressing both performance needs and sustainability goals.
• Focus on Specialty Resins for Durability: New UPR variants are being tailored for applications requiring greater durability, corrosion resistance, and longer life cycles. These formulations are particularly suited for sectors such as transportation, marine, and infrastructure, where materials face harsh operating conditions.
• Expansion of Domestic Production Capacity: Producers in the U.S. are investing in expanding production capacity and upgrading technologies to meet the growing demand. This includes process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and support large-scale supply for key industries like automotive and construction.
• Growing Applications in Infrastructure and Renewable Energy: UPR is gaining wider use in infrastructure projects and renewable energy systems, such as pipes, panels, and wind turbine blades. Its versatility, strength, and resistance to environmental stress make it a reliable material for these expanding sectors.
The U.S. UPR market is advancing through a combination of sustainability initiatives, performance-oriented innovations, and expanding industrial applications. The shift toward eco-friendly resins, bio-based formulations, and improved durability ensures that UPR continues to meet the evolving needs of industries. Together with investments in production capacity and growing use in infrastructure and renewable energy, these developments highlight UPR’s strong growth potential in the U.S. market.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for the US UPR Market
The United States remains one of the largest markets for unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), driven by strong demand across automotive, construction, marine, and consumer goods industries. With growing emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and advanced composites, the UPR market in the U.S. presents several avenues for strategic growth. Suppliers and manufacturers that align their strategies with emerging trends can expand their market presence and capture new opportunities.
• Automotive Light weighting and EV Expansion: The shift toward lighter vehicles and the rapid growth of electric mobility in the U.S. create strong opportunities for UPR. By replacing heavier metals with lightweight composites, automakers can improve fuel efficiency and battery range. UPR-based components such as body panels, battery enclosures, and under-the-hood parts represent an expanding market segment.
• Sustainable and Bio-Based Resin Development: With increasing regulatory focus on reducing carbon emissions, there is a significant push toward bio-based and recycled-content UPRs in the U.S. market. Developing eco-friendly formulations aligns with national sustainability goals and creates opportunities for suppliers to partner with industries seeking greener materials.
• Infrastructure and Construction Growth: The U.S. government’s infrastructure investment plans are boosting demand for durable and cost-effective materials. UPR composites are well-suited for construction applications such as panels, pipes, tanks, and reinforcements. Expanding into the construction sector provides a steady and large-scale opportunity for UPR producers.
• Marine and Recreational Applications: The U.S. has a strong marine and recreational vehicle market, including boats, jet skis, and sports equipment. UPR’s resistance to corrosion and water makes it a preferred choice for these applications. Targeting this sector offers a niche but profitable growth path for resin suppliers.
• Technological Innovation and Advanced Composites: Investing in nano-enhanced, fire-retardant, and high-performance UPR grades creates opportunities in advanced industries. These materials can expand the role of UPR into aerospace, defense, and specialty automotive parts. Continuous innovation ensures competitiveness against alternative resins such as epoxy and thermoplastics.
The U.S. UPR market offers multiple strategic growth opportunities, ranging from automotive lightweighting and sustainable materials to infrastructure, marine, and high-performance applications. By focusing on innovation, eco-friendly solutions, and sector-specific demands, suppliers can strengthen their market position and capture long-term value. With regulatory support and a strong industrial base, the U.S. is set to remain a key hub for UPR growth.
US UPR Market Drivers and Challenges
The United States unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) market is witnessing steady growth, driven by its increasing adoption in automotive composites, construction, and industrial applications. UPR’s lightweight, durable, and cost-effective properties make it a preferred choice for manufacturers aiming to improve product performance while reducing costs. However, like any market, it faces both growth drivers and operational challenges that influence its trajectory.
The key drivers for this market include:
• Rising Automotive Light weighting Demand: The US automotive sector is increasingly focused on reducing vehicle weight to improve fuel efficiency and meet emission regulations. UPR-based composites, being lightweight and strong, are ideal for body panels, interior components, and structural applications, driving higher adoption rates.
• Growth in Construction and Infrastructure Applications: UPR’s versatility and resistance to corrosion, chemicals, and weathering make it highly suitable for construction applications such as pipes, panels, and roofing materials. Expansion in US residential and commercial construction projects continues to fuel demand for UPR-based solutions.
• Focus on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials: With stricter environmental regulations and increasing consumer awareness, manufacturers are adopting bio-based and low-VOC UPR formulations. The push toward sustainable products provides a significant growth avenue for UPR suppliers aiming to meet regulatory compliance and green building standards.
The challenges facing this market include:
• Volatility in Raw Material Prices: UPR production relies heavily on petrochemical-based raw materials, which are subject to price fluctuations. Such volatility can increase production costs and impact profit margins, creating uncertainty for manufacturers and suppliers.
• Competition from Alternative Materials: The US market faces strong competition from other lightweight composites, thermoplastics, and advanced materials that can substitute UPR in certain applications. This competitive pressure may limit market expansion and require continuous innovation to maintain market share.
The US UPR market is positioned for steady growth, driven by automotive lightweighting, expanding construction applications, and the shift toward sustainable materials. However, price volatility in raw materials and competition from alternative composites remain key challenges. Suppliers who innovate, optimize costs, and develop eco-friendly UPR solutions will be best positioned to capture growth opportunities in the evolving US market.
List of US UPR Companies
Companies in the US market compete on the basis of resin quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies composites in US UPR market companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the composites in US UPR market companies profiled in this report include.
• Polynt Group
• AOC (Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd)
• INEOS Composites (KPS Capital)
• Scott Bader
• Interplastic Corporation
• BASF SE
• Allnex (PTT Global Chemical Group)
US UPR Market by Segment
Lucintel forecasts that construction will remain the largest end use industry over the forecast period due to increasing infrastructure projects, renovations, and the demand for lightweight, durable composite materials. The study includes a forecast for the US UPR market by end use industry, product type, and manufacturing process as follows:
By End Use Industry [Value ($M) and Volume (M lbs.) Analysis for 2019 – 2031]:
• Pipe and Tank
• Transportation
• Construction
• Marine
• Electrical and Electronics
• Consumer Goods
• Other End Use Industries
By Product Type [Value ($M) and Volume (M lbs.) Analysis for 2019 – 2031]:
• Orthophthalic
• Isophthalic
• DCPD and Other Product Types
By Manufacturing Process [Value ($M) and Volume (M lbs.) Analysis for 2019 – 2031]:
• Hand Layup & Spray-Up
• Filament Winding
• Compression Molding
• RTM/Injection Molding
• Pultrusion
• Other Manufacturing Processes
Features of the US UPR Market
• Market Size Estimates: The US UPR Market size estimation in terms of value ($M) and volume (M lbs.).
• Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019-2024) and forecast (2025-2031) by various segments.
• Segmentation Analysis: Market size by end use industry, product type, and manufacturing process.
• Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different end use industry, product type, and manufacturing process.
• Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape for the US UPR market.
• Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
If you are looking to expand your business in the US UPR or adjacent markets, then contact us. We have done hundreds of strategic consulting projects in market entry, opportunity screening, due diligence, supply chain analysis, M & A, and more.
FAQ
Q1. What is the US UPR market size?
Answer: The US UPR market is expected to reach an estimated $2 billion by 2031.
Q2. What is the growth forecast for US UPR market?
Answer: The US UPR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2024 to 2031.
Q3. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the US UPR market?
Answer: The major driver for this market is growing demand for UPR in the construction industry, growth in automotive sector, and increasing demand for UPR in industrial applications.
Q4. What are the major applications or end use industries for the US UPR market?
Answer: Construction and Pipe and tank are the major end use industries in the US UPR Market.
Q5. What are the emerging trends in composites in US UPR market?
Answer: Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the US UPR market, include rising adoption of bio-based upr, growth of low-voc and styrene-free resins, integration with advanced composites, digitalization and smart manufacturing, expansion in renewable energy applications.
Q6. Who are the key composites in US UPR market companies?
Answer: Some of the key composites in US UPR market companies are as follows:
• Polynt Group
• AOC (Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd)
• INEOS Composites (KPS Capital)
• Scott Bader
• Interplastic Corporation
• BASF SE
• Allnex (PTT Global Chemical Group)
Q7.Which composites in US UPR market manufacturing process will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that pultrusion is expected to remain the largest manufacturing process over the forecast period due to superior strength-to-weight ratios for structural applications and increased use of lightweight composites to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Q8. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% Customization Without any Additional Cost.
This report answers following 10 key questions:
Q.1 What are some of the most promising potential, high growth opportunities for the US UPR market by end use industry (pipe and tank, transportation, construction, marine, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, and other end use industries), product type (orthophthalic, isophthalic, and DCPD & other product types), manufacturing process (hand-lay up & spray-up, filament winding, compression molding, RTM/injection molding, pultrusion, and other manufacturing processes)?
Q. 2 Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3 What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers and challenges of the market?
Q.4 What are the business risks and threats to the market?
Q.5 What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.6 What are the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.7 What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.8 Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are being implemented by key players for business growth?
Q.9 What are some of the competitive products and processes in this area and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share via material or product substitution?
Q.10 What M & A activities have taken place in the last 6 years in this market?