Going to the Source

This research helps us answer that central question: “What should we do?” It isn’t a question a TPU supplier or PPF brand owner can answer on their own. We can make assumptions about what characteristics really matter to PPF installers and their customers, but PPF has grown into a billion-dollar global business. Assumptions aren’t good enough.

That’s why at Lubrizol, we go directly to the source. Our 2020 study is one example of the type of research we conduct. These are detailed, analytically-sound studies of the PPF market in key regions around the world.

The process produced a rich, detailed view of installers’ perspectives on PPF, how they prioritize various performance characteristics, and led to the ability to predict preference for various product configurations through performance tradeoff and ultimately an analytically-derived, optimized PPF product.

We can utilize the findings from this market study and others to guide the development of the next generation of PPF material, starting with the construction of the TPU molecule but not ending there. The research is a catalyst for innovation not just in materials, but across systems in the PPF ecosystem. It empowers us to engage meaningfully with film processors, coaters, PPF brand owners, and installers to coordinate and optimize our efforts and improve the products we’re making in multiple ways.

Visibility Into Brand Preference

Through the 2020 China research we mapped PPF brand preference in addition to preference for specific PPF attributes. By looking at various brands and how they’re ranked in a variety of areas, including installation and lifecycle, we can identify clear brand preferences among installers. The anonymized chart here shows obvious differences between several prominent PPF brands, revealing opportunity to strengthen market perception.

Overall Brand Satisfaction by Attribute

% respondents who rated each attribute as extremely satisfied

Where the Research Meets the Road