Services
Report Store
Market Insights
Our Blogs
Connect with Us

Buy Now

Extruded Polypropylene Foam Market

Pages: 130 | Base Year: 2024 | Release: July 2025 | Author: Sharmishtha M.

Market Definition

Extruded Polypropylene foam is a lightweight, durable material made by extruding polypropylene resin through a die to form a strong foam structure. It is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent impact resistance, thermal insulation properties, and resistance to water and chemicals. The market encompasses the production and commericialization of these materials.

Extruded Polypropylene Foam Market Overview

Global extruded polypropylene foam market size was valued at USD 1,421.7 million in 2024, which is estimated to be valued at USD 1,507.5 million in 2025 and reach USD 2,381.4 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.75% from 2025 to 2032.

Market growth is driven by advancements in controlling pore size and density in XPP foam. This enables manufacturers to customize foam properties for specific applications, boosting demand across the automotive, packaging, and insulation industries.

Key Market Highlights:

  1. The extruded polypropylene foam industry size was recorded at USD 1,421.7 million in 2024.
  2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.75% from 2025 to 2032.
  3. Asia Pacific held a share of 36.73% in 2024, valued at USD 522.2 million.
  4. The low-density XPP Foam segment garnered USD 829.1 million in revenue in 2024.
  5. The automotive and transportation segment is expected to reach USD 913.1 million by 2032.
  6. North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.63% over the forecast period.

Major companies operating in the extruded polypropylene foam industry are LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Borealis AG, Mitsubishi Corporation, Formosa Plastics Corporation, KNAUF Group, Braskem, Toray Plastics, Inc.,  MITSUI CHEMICALS INC., NMC SA, FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., JSP, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd, Plastic Extrusion Technologies, Northland Plastics, Inc., and Raghav Polymers.

Extruded Polypropylene (XPP) Foam Market Size & Share, By Revenue, 2025-2032

The market is experiencing robust growth, mainly due to increasing adoption across the automotive, packaging, and consumer goods sectors. Regulatory pressure for sustainable materials and advancements in polymer processing technologies are prompting manufacturers to adopt XPP foam for lightweight and recyclability benefits.

Additionally, rising demand for high-performance thermal and acoustic insulation in vehicles and buildings supports market expansion. Strategic investments and product innovation by key players are shaping the competitive landscape and broadening application possibilities.

Market Driver

Rising Demand for Tailored Foam Properties

The growth of the extruded polypropylene foam market is the enhanced control over pore size and density during production. By tailoring these microscopic characteristics, manufacturers can optimize foam properties such as strength, flexibility, and insulation performance. This customization broadens the range of applications across automotive, packaging, and thermal insulation.

As industries demand materials with precise functional requirements, advancements in foam microstructure are creating new market opportunities and fostering innovation.

  • In November 2024, researchers at Guizhou Normal University studied foamed polypropylene composites, showing that precise temperature control during molding affects pore size and density. This control optimizes foam properties such as strength and insulation, demonstrates that tailoring foam microstructure enhances performance. Such advancements support growing market demand for customized XPP foam applications in industries such as automotive and packaging.

Market Challenge

Cost-Intensive Production

A major challenge hindering the expansion of the extruded polypropylene foam market is the high production cost, primarily due to the need for specialized extrusion equipment and strict process controls. This poses adoption barriers, particularly for smaller manufacturers. To address this challenge, companies are streamlining operations through automation and process optimization.

They are adopting energy-efficient extrusion technologies and enhancing material formulations to reduce waste and improve output consistency. Investment in digital monitoring systems enables precise control of temperature and pressure, minimizing defects and rework. These strategies collectively help reduce costs while maintaining required performance standards.

Market Trend

Surging Demand for Recyclable Foams

The extruded polypropylene foam market is experiencing a significant shift toward recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, propelled by global sustainability targets and circular economy practices. Industries are increasingly favoring foams that offer ease of recycling and reusability, helping to minimize environmental impact and comply with evolving regulatory standards.

This trend is particularly notable in sectors such as automotive and packaging, where there is growing demand for lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable solutions such as high melt strength polypropylene (HMS PP). Recyclable foams are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional, non-recyclable foams.

  • In May 2025, Borealis announced a USD 107.9 million investment to expand its High Melt Strength polypropylene (HMS PP) production in Burghausen, Germany, with operations starting in late 2026. This move aims to triple the supply of recyclable, lightweight HMS PP, enabling high-performance, sustainable foam applications across the automotive, packaging, and construction industries.

Extruded Polypropylene Foam Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation

Details

By Type

Low-Density XPP Foam, High-Density XPP Foam

By End-Use Industry

Automotive and Transportation, Packaging, Building & Construction, Consumer Goods, Others

By Region

North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico

Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific

Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa

South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

  • By Type (Low-Density XPP Foam and High-Density XPP Foam): The low-density XPP foam segment earned USD 829.1 Million in 2024, due to its superior lightweight, energy absorption, and recyclability features across packaging, automotive, and protective applications.
  • By End-Use Industry (Automotive and Transportation, Packaging, Building & Construction, Consumer Goods, and Others): The automotive and transportation held a share of 36.25% in 2024, propelled by increased use in lightweight vehicle components to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Extruded Polypropylene Foam Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Extruded Polypropylene (XPP) Foam Market Size & Share, By Region, 2025-2032

Asia Pacific extruded polypropylene foam market share stood at 36.73% in 2024, valued at USD 522.2 million. This dominance is reinforced by rapid industrialization, expanding automotive manufacturing, and growing packaging demand. Rising urbanization and increasing consumer goods production highlight the need for lightweight, durable foam materials. 

Additionally, government initiatives promoting sustainable materials and investments in advanced manufacturing technologies boost regional market growth. The presence of major raw material providers and cost-effective production facilities further strengthens the region’s leading position, making Asia Pacific a crucial hub for XPP foam innovation and consumption.

The North America extruded polypropylene foam industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 6.63% over the forecast period. This growth is fueled by rising demand in the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. The region’s emphasis on lightweight, durable, and recyclable materials aligns with increasing environmental regulations and sustainability goals. 

Growing consumer awareness of eco-friendly products and the shift toward energy-efficient building materials further drive adoption. Additionally, investments in advanced manufacturing technologies and innovations in foam applications contribute to regional market expansion.

Regulatory Frameworks

  • In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regulates chemicals and materials in consumer products, including foams. It enforces safety standards, testing, certification, and tracking to limit hazardous substances.
  • In the EU, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD- PPWD – Directive 94/62/EC) sets requirements to reduce packaging waste by promoting reuse, recycling, and recovery. It aims to minimize disposal and support a circular economy amid rising packaging waste levels.
  • In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforces IS 12436:1988, which defines quality and performance standards for plastic foam materials to ensure safety and consistency in the manufacturing of foam products.

Competitive Landscape

Companies in the extruded polypropylene foam industry are increasingly focusing on sustainability by integrating advanced recycling technologies and adopting certified-circular materials. They are investing in expanding production capacities to meet growing demand while enhancing foam properties such as lightweight, durability, and thermal insulation. 

Collaborations between manufacturers and chemical suppliers emphasize innovation in eco-friendly materials, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations. These initiatives are supporting a shift toward more sustainable, high-performance solutions across the automotive, packaging, and construction sectors.

  • In March 2024, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. adopted ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology to produce polypropylene materials with certified-circular resins. This innovative recycling process diverts plastic waste from landfills, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and ensures high-quality, recyclable foam products that meet the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging and insulation solutions.

Key Companies in Extruded Polypropylene Foam Market:

  • LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
  • Borealis AG
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • Formosa Plastics Corporation
  • KNAUF Group
  • Braskem
  • Toray Plastics, Inc.
  • MITSUI CHEMICALS INC.
  • NMC SA
  • FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • JSP
  • Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd
  • Plastic Extrusion Technologies
  • Northland Plastics, Inc.
  • Raghav Polymers

Recent Developments (Expansion)

  • In June 2024, LyondellBasell expanded its Dalian, China site by adding a new production line for high-performance polypropylene compounds, doubling capacity to 40,000 tons annually. This move strengthens their presence in China’s automotive market, supporting growth in new energy vehicles and promoting circularity through innovative product offerings.
Loading FAQs...