Introduction
With the accelerating adoption of 5G technology, the global communications industry is entering a new growth cycle. Compared to 4G, 5G's breakthroughs in transmission speed, low latency, and massive connectivity place higher demands on lightweight, weather-resistant, and stable equipment materials. Plastic raw materials, with their excellent insulation properties, mechanical strength, and processing flexibility, are becoming an irreplaceable key material in a wide range of applications, from base stations, antennas, optical modules, and terminal devices.
From a market perspective, the rapid penetration of 5G has clearly driven a surge in demand for related materials. According to institutional forecasts, the number of global 5G user connections is expected to exceed 500 million by 2030, and the overall market size is expected to expand from approximately US$447 billion in 2024 to over US$800 billion in 2034, maintaining an average annual growth rate of approximately 30%. The supporting materials sector is also heating up. For example, the market size of conductive and EMI shielding plastics will only be around $1.35 billion in 2024, but is expected to maintain double-digit growth over the next few years. Looking at the broader EMI shielding materials market (covering plastics, metals, and coatings), it is expected to reach $12.6 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 5%–6%. The surge in communications equipment deployment is foreseeable not only driving demand for upstream electronic components but also increasing demand for high-performance plastic raw materials.
01 | Industry Trends and Technological Innovation: New Plastic Materials Lead the Way
The rise of nano-enhanced plastics and composite materials: By improving thermal conductivity, EMI suppression, and mechanical properties, they significantly enhance the performance of semiconductor devices and antennas.
Conductive and EMI plastics are experiencing accelerated growth: Starting at $1.35 billion in 2024, the market is expected to expand significantly by 2030, with growth maintaining around 11%.
The Asia-Pacific market leads the way: The Asia-Pacific region currently holds approximately 45–50% of the global market share, primarily driven by investments in 5G and smart city development by China, South Korea, and India.
Technological breakthroughs by Taiwanese companies: Advanced plastics suitable for millimeter-wave high-frequency environments are being developed for EMI suppression and heat management, gradually replacing traditional metal components.
02 | Key requirements for plastic materials in 5G communications
Balancing lightweighting and strength: Equipment needs to be installed on rooftops, towers, or light poles, and weight directly impacts construction and maintenance costs. Glass-fiber-reinforced PC and PBT, while maintaining strength while significantly reducing weight, have become the mainstream choice.
Electrical insulation and dielectric stability: High-speed signal transmission requires a low dielectric constant and excellent insulation properties. Engineering plastics such as LCP and PPS maintain signal integrity at GHz frequencies, making them ideal materials for optical modules and high-speed connectors.
Weather resistance and flame retardancy: Outdoor base stations must withstand the challenges of UV rays, temperature fluctuations, and humidity over a long period of time. ASA and PC/ABS offer excellent UV and aging resistance and must meet the UL94 V-0 flame retardancy rating to ensure device stability and safety.
Process Adaptability and Mass Production: Communications equipment components include injection molding, extrusion, thin-walled parts, and structural components, placing extremely high demands on material flowability, dimensional stability, and molding efficiency. Selecting plastic raw materials with excellent processing stability can effectively reduce defect rates and costs.
03 | Typical Applications and Material Comparison
| Application Scenario | Common Plastic Materials | Key Performance Requirements | Recommendation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Station Housing | PC, PC/ABS, ASA | Impact resistance, weatherability, flame retardancy | PC/ABS balances strength and weatherability; ASA is more suitable for outdoor use |
| Antenna Radome | PC, ASA | Wave transparency, UV resistance, dimensional stability | PC offers high transparency; ASA excels in weather resistance |
| Optical Module Housing | PBT, LCP | Precision dimensions, electrical insulation, low warpage | PBT is cost-effective; LCP is ideal for high-speed optical modules |
| Connectors | LCP, PA66, PBT | Heat resistance, insulation, low dielectric loss | LCP is widely used in high-speed connectors; PA66/PBT for general interfaces |
| Thermal Management Parts | PPS, PBT+GF, PA+GF | High heat resistance, strength, stability | PPS withstands up to 200 °C, commonly used in heat sinks and brackets |
| Outdoor Distribution Box | ASA, PC/ABS | UV resistance, aging resistance, flame retardancy | ASA maintains stable color; PC/ABS offers balanced performance |
| Structural Support Parts | PPS, PA+GF | High strength, heat resistance, stability | PPS suits harsh conditions; PA+GF balances cost and performance |
04 | Industry Trends and Material Evolution
Metal is Gradually Replaced by Plastics: High-strength plastics such as PC+GF are replacing some metal casings, reducing weight and simplifying processing.
Stringent Environmental Regulations: Compliance standards such as RoHS and REACH are driving manufacturers to increase the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Rising Demand for High-Frequency Communication Materials: Demand for low-dielectric-loss plastics such as LCP and PTFE is rapidly increasing in the millimeter-wave field.
05 | Procurement Pain Points and Countermeasures
Supply Instability: High-end materials such as LCP and PPS are often in short supply.
👉 Juyuan has established long-term partnerships with multiple international raw material suppliers to ensure uninterrupted project supply.
Compliance Challenges: Flame retardancy and environmental protection requirements vary significantly across markets.
👉 Juyuan provides complete compliance documentation (UL, RoHS, REACH, FDA) to support customers in export and certification.
Process Differences: The performance of the same grade can vary significantly across different production lines.
👉 Juyuan provides material selection consultation and substitution solutions to ensure a precise match between raw materials and processes.
Cost Fluctuations: Prices are volatile due to the influence of international petrochemical market conditions.
👉 Juyuan provides performance/cost balancing recommendations, such as replacing PPS with PBT in some applications.
06 | Latest Industry Trends
Accelerated Base Station Construction: Global 5G user connections are expected to exceed 500 million by 2025, driving demand for materials such as PC, ASA, and PBT.
Accelerated New Material R&D: Chemical companies are rapidly developing modified plastics with lower dielectric loss and improved weather resistance.
Green Development Trend: EU regulations are driving more companies to adopt recyclable and bio-based plastics.
Domestic Substitution: Amid global supply chain fluctuations, demand for domestic raw material substitution continues to grow.
Conclusion
The full implementation of 5G has not only driven the upgrade of communications equipment but also created new growth opportunities for the plastics industry. Communications manufacturers that plan ahead in material selection and supply chain management will be more likely to stand out in the market. As a supplier with 24 years of experience in the international trade of plastic raw materials, Juyuan not only provides a stable supply source from multiple channels, but also offers professional selection advice and global procurement support, helping companies seize the new opportunities of the 5G era.