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      Figure 1.7 Breakdown (2018) of worldwide consumption of fluoropolymers by Type [15].

      PTFE at 58% (in 2015) has the highest consumption volume among fluoropolymers. Significantly, PTFE is the oldest product of all fluoropolymers its commercialization dating back to 1946. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has the second highest volume (under 20%) followed by perfluorinated ethylene propylene copolymers (FEP) at about 10%. PVDF and FEP are fastest growing fluoropolymers.

      A number of fluoropolymers are consumed at lower volumes including: polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), pefluoropropyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), pefluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), tetrafluoroethylenehexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride terpolymer (THV), chlorotrifluoroethylene vinylidene fluoride copolymer, CTFE-VDF (<15% CTFE), and amorphous fluoropolymers. “Other” in Figure 1.1 includes fluorosilicones, fluorinated polyimides and polyamides, fluorinated acrylic polymers, polyurethanes and amorphous fluoropolymers and others.

      Consumption of fluoropolymers, fluorocarbons, inorganics and specialties expected to reach 5.49 million tons by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2015 to 2024 [11]. Global fluoropolymer market in terms of revenue was at $7.2 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $9.8 billion by 2018 and to US$11.5 million by 2025. Projections for future growth rate of fluoropolymer consumption are in the annual range of 5.2-5.7%. Global consumption volume is projected to grow from 295 kT (1,000 metric tons) in 2014 to over 380 kT by 2019 [16].

      China is the by far the most dominant consumer of PTFE, accounting for about 44% of world consumption in 2015. The United States and China each use about 30% of other fluoropolymers [17]. The historical growth rate of PTFE in China has been around 7.5% per year while the rest of fluoropolymer have grown at a rate of 15%.

Fluoropolymer consumption is relatively small in India. The entire value in 2014 was $100 million, which is expected to $250 by 2022 [18].

1.4 Production and Consumption Statistics of Fluoroelastomers

      Fluoroelastomers are divided into perfluorinated and partially fluorinated polymers. They possess a combination of good chemical resistance, excellent electrical insulation properties and favorable mechanical properties. Fluoroelastomers are highly weather resistant and can function under extreme temperature and pressure.

      Applications of fluoroelastomers are increasingly because of the performance advantages these materials offer. They have a combination of physical and chemical properties, comprising excellent chemical resistance, high temperature stability, and good dielectric properties. Fluoroelastomers are extensively used in industrial applications involving severe process conditions. The special properties and relatively low production volume, compared with engineering resins, have kept fluoroelastomer prices are fairly high [19].

      Based on volume (base raw material), China accounted for 33% of world consumption in 2018, with Europe and the United States accounting for 19% each, and Japan for 9%. These four regions represented about 80% of the world consumption of fluoroelastomers in 2018 [20].

      Fluoroelastomer market size was valued at US$1.15 billion in 2016, US$1.21 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach US$1.64 billion by 2022, representing a CAGR of 6%. Asia-Pacific, with its thriving economies and rapidly expanding populations experienced the fastest growth rate between 2014 and 2019 [19]. Fluoroelastomers consumption is estimated at 24.0 kilo tons (kT) in 2014 reaching 30.4 kT by 2019.

      China accounted for 33% of world consumption in 2018 mostly because of growth in its automobile production. Europe and the US account for 19% each, and Japan for 9%. These four regions represented about 80% of the world consumption of fluoroelastomers in 2018. Fluorocarbon elastomers (FKMs) account for about 92% of the world market for fluoroelastomers. Fluorosilicones account for almost 8% of the world market for fluoroelastomers.

1.5 Production and Consumption Statistics of Fluorinated Coatings

      Fluoropolymers produce high-performance coatings for harsh industrial environments; mar-free coatings for touch screen electronic devices, architectural and marine coatings and cookware coatings. The coatings are applied as powder or liquid dispersions. Major examples of coating fluoropolymers include PTFE, PFA, FEP, PVF and PVDF. China and the U.S. are the largest consumers of fluoropolymer coating, while Italy, Japan, and the Germany are other key markets for fluoropolymer coating consumption.

The fluoropolymer coatings market is estimated to reach $2 billion in 2025 indicating annualized growth of 6% between 2019 and 2025. PVDF based coating systems are highly durable coating systems extensively used for coating architectural aluminum surfaces as well as post-formed steel sheets (metal coils). North America fluoropolymer coating market is expected to be the largest market, significantly growing over a CAGR of 5.0% [21].

1.6 Specialty Fluorochemicals

      There are many types of specialty fluorochemicals with important applications. They are usually quite expensive and are used in small quantities. Here are some examples. Fluorinated surfactants, significant as they are, are consumed in relatively small quantities. They have not been included in this book because there are already competent books about them [22].

      Another group of “fluorinated” compounds are drugs and pharmaceuticals, nearly 20%, containing one or more atoms of fluorine in their structures. Examples of common medicine containing fluorine include Prozac, Cipro and Paxil. In spite of minor presence in the structure of drugs fluorine atom affects the characteristics of pharmaceutical substantially. They are not covered in this book because a separate volume would be needed for their coverage. Journal articles and other books continue to publish information about research and development of new fluorinated chemicals synthesized [23–25].

      Another important group of fluorocarbons are used in surgeries as inhalation anesthesia. The benefits over the old compounds include non-toxicity, non-flammability, general metabolically stability, ease of detoxification in the liver, rapid recovery and very few side effects. Commercial examples of those fluorocarbons include methoxyflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane. A popular compound was enflurane which is no longer commonly used but it is effective in relaxing the uterus in pregnant women.

References

      1. Cottrell, T.L., The Strengths of Chemical Bonds, 2d ed., Butterworth, London, 1958.

      2. Darwent, B. deB., National Standard Reference Data Series, National Bureau of Standards, no. 31, Washington, 1970.

      3. Benson, S.W., J. Chem. Educ., 42, 502, 1965.

      4. Kerr, J.A., Chem. Rev., 66, 465, 1966.

      5. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/, May 2020.

      6. The Ozone Hole, www.theozonehole.com/dobsonunit.htm, May 2020.

      7. Dobson, G.M.B., Dept of Physics, Oxford University, May 2020.

      8. Booten, C., Nicholson, S., Mann, M., Abdelaziz, O., Refrigerants: Market Trends and Supply Chain Assessment, Clean Energy Manufacturing Analysis

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