5G Low-Loss Material Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Material (Thermoset, Thermoplastics, Others), By Frequency (Sub-6 GHz, mmWave), By Application (Infrastructure, Electronics), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The 5G low-loss material market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 33.32% to reach US$664.685 million by 2029, from US$157.817 million in 2024.

GROWTH DRIVERS

• Surge in the demand for dielectric thermoplastics and base stations

The advent of 5G technology is fostering innovation across various industries, spanning telecommunications, consumer electronics, automotive, and healthcare. The devices driving this technological shift heavily depend on materials designed to minimize signal loss, particularly at the high-band frequencies associated with 5G (mmWave). These specialized materials, characterized by their high-frequency conductivity, play a pivotal role in enhancing the speed and reliability of connections.

These high-frequency, conductive materials find applications in a diverse range of devices, including antennas, base stations, resonators, lenses, automotive radar systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. They also play a crucial role in supporting service providers' equipment that directly caters to end-users, such as routers and modems. By facilitating faster and more reliable connections, these materials contribute significantly to the seamless integration and functioning of 5G-enabled technologies across various sectors, paving the way for enhanced connectivity and technological advancements.

For instance:

• According to recent data released by India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT), a total of 308,466 5G base stations were reported in the country, as of August 2023. This marked a substantial increase from early 2023 when the government had documented 53,590 5G base stations. The government termed it the world's fastest rollout of 5G services.
• According to the European 5G Observatory, China surpassed 800 billion 5G connections by the end of 2023. Additionally, the report suggested that 5G contribution in China’s GDP will reach to US$260 billion by 2030. This will make up 23% of overall economic impact of mobile in China.

Increased use of 5G hardware

A 5G-enabled smartphone necessitates the integration of a 5G chipset to support the corresponding network. Carriers are required to develop new equipment and hardware while phasing out older 4G components to make way for 5G resources. Depending on the company, both hardware and software upgrades become imperative in the process of creating a 5G phone. Manufacturers are also constructing small-cell networks to enhance existing macro-cell towers. When a large number of users rely on a single network within a confined area, the cell tower may become overloaded, leading to diminished performance. However, through small cell technologies, telecom operators can concentrate scarce network resources, thereby increasing wireless network capacity and enabling carriers to meet the growing demand. Implementing small cells around small businesses, public venues, and residential areas allows carriers to enhance 5G connectivity for subscribers.

• As the 5G standard undergoes continuous evolution, service providers are making hardware advancements. Leading manufacturers in the 5G systems domain include Qualcomm and Huawei.

FAVOURABLE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

In August 2022, to foster the 5G ecosystem in India and advance the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, the Government of India opted to grant free access to the Indigenous 5G Test Bed for the next six months until January 2023 for Indian Government-recognized start-ups and MSMEs. Other stakeholders had the option to utilize the test bed at a very nominal rate during this period. The Department of Telecommunications, under the Government of India, strongly encouraged all 5G stakeholders, including Industry, Academia, Service Providers, R&D Institutions, Government Bodies, and Equipment Manufacturers, to leverage the 5G testbed facilities and expertise for testing and facilitating the swift development and deployment of their products in the network.

The creation of this Indigenous Test Bed marked a significant milestone in India's journey toward self-reliance in the 5G technology domain, aligning with the vision of a 5G Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The test bed provided indigenous capabilities for testing and validating 5G products developed and manufactured by Indian start-ups, MSMEs, R&D entities, academia, and industry users. This initiative resulted in substantial cost efficiency and reduced design time, positioning Indian 5G products to be globally competitive in the market.

EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 5G LOW-LOSS MATERIAL MARKET

Fused Silica

HPFS (High Purity Fused Silica) emerges as a highly viable option for the substrate material employed in radio-frequency (RF) components like antennas. It facilitates the realization of 5G telecommunications for enhanced streaming speed and improved connectivity across both consumer and infrastructure devices. This suitability is attributed to HPFS's attributes of low dielectric loss, a low dielectric constant, and ease of processing. Fused silica particularly distinguishes itself as an optimal choice, ensuring minimal signal loss during the transmission of RF signals.

GEOGRAPHICAL PRESENCE

Asia Pacific region is expected to show significant growth in this market. In April 2020, Shin-Etsu Chemical launched advanced materials specifically developed for 5G-related products. Shin-Etsu introduced a "Quartz Cloth" and a "Thermoset Ultra-low Dielectric Resin," designed for applications in electronic devices, printed circuit boards, IC substrates, antennas, and radar domes utilized in high-frequency 5G communication, including millimeter-wave communication. Additionally, the company expanded its range of heat dissipation products. In conjunction with these newly developed materials, Shin-Etsu entered into a licensing agreement with Novoset, LLC, encompassing the manufacturing and sales of high-performance thermoset ultra-low dielectric resins developed by Novoset. Hence, the market of low-loss 5G materials is expected to grow in Japan.

MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE MARKET

Some of the leading players in the market are Solvay, Covestro AG, and Asahi Kasei Corporation among others. The product offerings of the major corporations include the following:

 

COMPANY NAME	PRODUCT NAME	DESCRIPTION
Solvay	Solvay Xydar® LCP	A specially formulated liquid crystal polymer designed to minimize dielectric loss is an excellent material for 5G antenna substrates and housings, thanks to its low moisture absorption and exceptional flow characteristics. Xydar® LCP not only provides robust strength and performance but also withstands extremely high temperatures, ensuring outstanding durability and reliability even in challenging environments.
Covestro AG	Makrolon®	Makrolon® polycarbonate grades are robust, resilient, weather-resistant, and capable of withstanding high temperatures, making them suitable for various 5G applications. These versatile polycarbonates exhibit excellent property balance, encompassing durability and moldability. Additionally, serving as a substitute for metal, they contribute to cost and weight reduction in innovative designs.
Asahi Kasei Corporation	Xyron™	XYRON™ by Asahi Kasei is a polymer alloy that blends polyphenylene ether (PPE) with other resins. Apart from having elevated heat resistance, these alloys exhibit remarkable flame retardancy, electrical insulation, dimensional stability, water resistance, and a low specific gravity. By combining the favorable attributes of PPE with the distinctive properties of different resins, these polymer alloys produce innovative functional materials.

 

MARKET SEGMENTATION

• By Material
  • Thermoset
  • Thermoplastics
  • Others
• By Frequency
  • Sub-6 GHz
  • mmWave
• By Application
  • Infrastructure
  • Electronics
• By Geography
  • Americas
    • USA
    • Others
  • EMEA
    • Germany
    • UK
    • Others
  • APAC
    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Others

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Market Segmentation

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Data

2.2. Assumptions

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Research Highlights

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Bandwidth Availability

4.4. Number of Users

5. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS/POLICIES

6. 5G LOW-LOSS MATERIAL MARKET BY MATERIAL 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Thermoset

6.3. Thermoplastics

6.4. Others

7. 5G LOW-LOSS MATERIAL MARKET BY FREQUENCY

7.1. Introduction

7.2. sub-6 GHz

7.3. mmWave

8. 5G LOW-LOSS MATERIAL MARKET BY APPLICATION

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Infrastructure

8.3. Electronics

9. 5G LOW-LOSS MATERIAL MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Americas

9.2.1. United States

9.2.2. Others

9.3. Europe, Middle East and Africa

9.3.1. Germany

9.3.2. UK

9.3.3. Others

9.4. Asia Pacific

9.4.1. China

9.4.2. Japan

9.4.3. South Korea

9.4.4. Others

10. RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENTS

11. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

11.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

11.2. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix

12. COMPANY PROFILES

12.1. Covestro AG

12.2. Blueshift Materials

12.3. Panasonic

12.4. Resonac Holdings Corporation

12.5. Asahi Kasei Corporation

12.6. TOYOCHEM CO., LTD.

12.7. AGC INC.

12.8. Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.

Covestro AG

Blueshift Materials

Panasonic

Resonac Holdings Corporation

Asahi Kasei Corporation

TOYOCHEM CO., LTD.

AGC INC.

Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.