Mold Release Agents Market Size, Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

Mold Release Agents Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global mold release agents market size is expected to be worth around USD 4.16 billion by 2034 from USD 2.27 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 6.22% from 2024 to 2034.

Mold Release Agents Market Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific led the mold release agents market with the largest market share of share of 48% in 2023.
• North America is anticipated to grow notably in the market during the forecast period.
• By type, the water-based segment accounted for the biggest market share of 54% of the market in 2023.
• By type, the solvent-based segment is expected to witness significant growth in the market during the forecast period.
• By application, the composite molding segment has generated the biggest market share of 33% in 2023.
• By application, the die-casting segment is expected to grow significantly in the market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Mold Release Agents Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The Asia Pacific mold release agents market size was exhibited at USD 1.03 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth around USD 2.02 billion by 2034, poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.31% from 2024 to 2034.

Asia Pacific held the dominant share of the mold release agents market in 2023. The region is observed to witness notable growth during the forecast period. The region is observed to witness prolific growth during the forecast period. The growth of the region is mainly attributed to surging industrialization, rising research and development activities, robust economic growth in the developing nations, easy availability of raw materials, stringent emission regulations, and growing demand for consumer electronics. The rising vehicle production, coupled with the increasing adoption of the die-casting technique for manufacturing metal body parts of numerous vehicles, acts as one of the major driving factors for this regional growth.

The fastest-developing economies in the region, such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea, are the major contributors to the mold release agents market. The rising demand from end-user industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, and others, boosts the growth of the market. The steady growth in these sectors offers immense growth opportunities to the market due to the rising foreign investment, rapid industrialization, and industrialization. Furthermore, the increasing number of manufacturing plants and exponential rise in exports contribute to the growth of mold-release agents in the region.

• In August 2024, the Indian Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0 Scheme, under which financial assistance will be provided to 1 crore houses to be constructed for urban poor and middle-class families. The investment of ₹ 10 lakh crore and Government subsidy of 2.30 lakh crore will be provided under the Scheme (PMAY-U 2.0).
• According to Invest India, an estimated 600 million people are likely to be living in urban centers by 2030, creating a demand for 25 million additional mid-end and affordable units.
• The Chinese construction sector will grow by 4%. China is one of the world’s largest construction markets.
• The Chinese government announced its 2024 Budget in March 2024. The budget includes an expenditure of CNY28.6tn ($4tn) in 2024, which is an increase of 3.8% compared with the 2023 Budget. Additionally, in March, the government announced it plans to invest CNY1.2tn ($173bn) in transport infrastructure projects by the end of this year.
• In March 2024, the Yangtze River Delta region government announced an investment of CNY140bn ($19.6bn) to develop 32 railway infrastructure projects in the region in 2024.
• In February 2024, the Shanghai government announced it plans to start work on 24 projects with a combined investment of CNY42.1bn ($5.8bn) in 2024.

North America is anticipated to grow notably in the mold release agents market during the forecast period. The region’s growth is driven by the presence of sophisticated industrial infrastructure, a significant rise in manufacturing activities, expansion of the construction sector, and strict execution of regulations by government entities to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Moreover, the rising demand for intricate and complex mold designs increases the demand for mold release agents to facilitate the demolding of complex parts.

Countries such as the United States and Canada represent a significant share of the mold release agents market, owing to the rising demand for a variety of items such as electronics, consumer goods, automotive components, and aerospace and defense parts, propelling the regional market’s growth. Additionally, the increasing presence of market players in the region appears to be highly fragmented and competitive. Such factors are bolstering the growth of the region's market during the forecast period.

Market Overview

A mold release agent is a chemical widely used to prevent molded parts from sticking to the surfaces of molds. It acts as a chemical barrier as the means of separation between the material being molded and the mold surface. Mold release agents find various applications in manufacturing industries and play an integral role, particularly those involving plastic, rubber, and other composite casting processes. The purpose is to ensure that the molded part can be easily removed from the mold without sticking to it, provide a seamless demolding process, and reduce the damaging risk of the finished product. The right mold release agent can save you money while reducing your overall production time.

Top 10 Countries in the Infrastructure Sector in the Calendar Year 2022

Mold Release Agents Market Growth Factors

• The growing focus on sustainable and green manufacturing processes creates significant market opportunities to develop bio-based and environmentally friendly release agents and is expected to boost the mold release agents market expansion during the forecast period.
• The rising emphasis on sustainable and green manufacturing processes opens avenues for developing and adopting bio-based and environmentally friendly products in the mold release agents market.
• The rapid rise in the demand from the various many industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer products and food processing is expected to promote the mold release agents market growth in the upcoming years.
• The rapid industrialization and urbanization are anticipated to contribute significantly to the global mold release agents market’s revenue.
• The rising investment by prominent market players in research and development to increase effectiveness and performance is likely to spur the market demand for the product in the coming years.
• The rising use of mold release agents in a wide variety of applications, including die-casting, PU molding, rubber molding, composite molding, plastic molding, and concrete, is anticipated to accelerate the mold release agents market growth during the forecast period.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Rising demand from the automotive and construction industries

The increasing demand from the automotive and construction industries is expected to contribute to the growth of the mold release agents market. The demand for mold release agents is increasing in the automotive and construction industries owing to their ability to minimize costs and improve efficiency, making them an attractive option to increase their productivity. Mold release agents are extensively used in the construction industry for the production of concrete and other building materials. They help prevent sticking and ensure smooth surfaces.

The surge in the development of infrastructure, especially in developing nations, increases product demand significantly. Molds are mostly commonly used to shape rubber parts and accessories, including those found in various automotive applications. The use of mold-release products can improve production times and assist in preventing faults in molded products. Thus boosting the mold release agents market growth during the forecast period.

• According to the IBEF report, FDI in construction development (townships, housing, built-up infrastructure, and construction development projects) and construction (infrastructure) activity sectors stood at USD 26.54 billion and USD 33.52 billion, respectively, between April 2000-December 2023.
• According to the data published by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Auto industry produced a total of 2,59,31,867 vehicles, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles from April 2022 to March 2023, compared to the previous year 2,30,40,066 units in April 2021 to March 2022. Total passenger vehicle sales increased from 30,69,523 to 38,90,114 units. Sales of passenger cars also increased from 14,67,039 to 17,47,376 compared to the previous year. The overall commercial vehicle sales increased from 7,16,566 to 9,62,468 units.

Restraint

Growing concerns over the environmental impact

The growing concerns over the environmental impact are anticipated to hinder the global mold release agents market. The increasing concerns over the environmental impact and severe health hazards related to harmful chemicals led to strict regulatory constraints and an increase in the need for compliance. The product uses fluorocarbons as one type, which poses a threat to the environment.

The stringent regulations of the Government related to chemical usage increase the pressure to shift towards biodegradable and eco-friendly mold release agents, which results in high costs associated with research and development proficiencies to develop effective alternatives that offer sustainable environmental benefits. In addition, the high costs associated with developing and commercializing eco-friendly mold release agents pose a challenge for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Such factors are likely to restrict the expansion of the mold release agents market in the coming years.

Opportunity

Rising technological innovation

The significant rise in technological innovation is projected to offer immense growth opportunities for the mold release agents market during the forecast period. The rising integration of nanotechnology and biodegradable additives in mold release formulations provides improved surface finish quality and minimizes environmental impact. The rapid innovations enhance the production of more efficient, affordable, and versatile release agents that can tap into various application sectors. Therefore, the rapid expansion of end-user industries represents lucrative opportunities for the mold release agents market in the coming years.

Type Insights

The water-based segment accounted for the dominating share of the mold release agents market in 2023. Water-based release agents are increasingly being used as they offer several benefits such as being non-polluting, safer, less expensive, smooth casting surface, green environment protection, good release effect, causing no damage to the surface of the casting, and others. Water release agents are different from traditional solvent-based release agents such as mineral oil.  Water-based agents are environmentally friendly due to the absence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Water-based agents are widely used in medium- and high-temperature applications. It provides a combination of effective release performance and safeguards molds from rust over time. Water-based release agents are more efficient than oil-based release agents. Water-based release agents are less costly than powder-release agents. Water-based release agents can also be categorized as wax, silicone, or fatty acid, depending on the effective release substance in the release agent. Such supportive factors are driving the growth of the market during the forecast period.

• In May 2024, Kao Corporation announced the launch of LUNAFLOW RA, a water-based mold release agent that maintains a slippery surface. It is a mold release agent for use in smoothly removing rubber and resin products from molds during manufacture. The product can be expected to improve work efficiency in the manufacturing process and is both solvent- and fluorine-free, making it friendly to both the workers and the environment.

The solvent-based segment is expected to witness significant growth in the mold release agents market during the forecast period. Solvent-based agents provide much faster drying time, making them suitable for high-volume manufacturing. These agents work by offering active silicone or wax ingredients onto mold surfaces. Solvents most commonly include xylene, acetone, mineral oil, and toluene. Solvent-based agents can be sprayed onto cloths for fast application by wiping and also on complex or large molds. However, It includes adverse effects on the environment and human health. It is supposed to be used with safety as it has flammable and combustible properties.

Application Insights

The composite molding segment held the largest share of the mold release agents market in 2023 and is expected to sustain its position throughout the forecast period. Composite manufacturing plays a crucial part in most modern manufacturing methods. Composite molding holds significance for automakers and small-part manufacturing. In composite molding, the product market is important for detaching the finished product from the mold. These agents act as non-stick agents that prevent the composite material from bonding or sticking to the mold and assist in ensuring a seamless demolding process.

The significant benefits offered by composite moldings, such as high strength-to-weight ratios, are essential for fuel efficiency and performance in various sectors, including aerospace and automotive. They provide excellent corrosion resistance, which makes them suitable for several marine applications. Their versatility also facilitates complex shapes and designs in engineering and architecture. These factors are anticipated to propel the expansion of the segment during the forecast period.

The die-casting segment is expected to grow significantly in the mold release agents market during the forecast period. The mold release agent plays an integral role in die casting to ensure the seamless separation of the casting from the mold. This agent assists in preventing the molten metal from sticking to the walls of the mold.

Die-release agents are most extensively used in industries such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, consumer goods production, and others. Metal die-casting release agents are commonly utilized in several molding operations for magnesium, aluminum, zinc, and other metal materials. Thus bolstering the segment’s growth in the coming years.

Mold Release Agents Market Companies

• Chem-Trend
• ASK Chemicals
• Axel Plastics Research Laboratories
• BÜFA
• DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd.
• Dow Corning
• Wacker Chemie
• Aerol Formulations
• Chem-Verse Consultants
• CHUKYO YUSHI
• Croda International Plc
• Michelman Inc.
• Cresset Chemical Company
• MCGee Industries, Inc.
• Marbocat Ltd.
• Grignard Company, LLC
• Quaker Chemical Corporation
• Moresco Corporation
• Henkel AG & Co. KgaA
• Croda International PLC
• LANXESS
• Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Recent Developments

• In July 2024, New non-stick coating will improve shaping processes in injection molding and die-casting. UltraPLAS enables the perfect reproduction of mirror-finish surfaces.  A new UltraPLAS coating developed by Fraunhofer researchers has proven to be an innovative solution to the challenges of primary forming processes. This advanced release and easy-to-clean coating is applied as a gradient layer using a cold plasma process and is suitable for materials such as tool steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• In November 2022, CHRYSO unveiled CHRYSO Dem Aqua 800, its new unlabelled vegetable oil emulsion mold release agent that meets the four primary performance criteria for mold release oils: surface finish quality, mold protection, HSE profile, and optimized consumption.
• In August 2024, Avient unveils a new non-PFAS mold release additive for high-temperature polymers. Formulated without intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), this new non-PFAS additive can be used to enhance the manufacturing processes of high-pressure injection molding.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Water-based
• Solvent-based
• Other types

By Application

• Die Casting
• PU Molding
• Rubber Molding
• Composite Molding
• Plastic Molding
• Wood Composite & Panel Pressing
• Concrete
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa