How Conductive and EMI Shielding Plastics Are Powering the 5G and IoT Revolution?

As 5G networks become more widespread and the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to scale, the performance demands on electronic systems are increasing sharply. Faster data transfer, lower latency, and dense device connectivity have become baseline expectations. But with this leap in connectivity comes a significant technical challenge: managing electromagnetic interference (EMI).

In high-frequency, signal-rich environments such as smart cities, factories, or connected vehicles, EMI can degrade signal quality, interrupt communication, and even lead to device failure. To protect sensitive components and ensure stable performance, shielding solutions are essential. Ad this is where conductive and EMI shielding plastics come into play.

In this blog post, we delve into the fundamentals of conductive and EMI shielding plastics and explain the science behind how these materials work. Also, we shed light on how conductive and EMI shielding plastics are transforming the landscape of 5G and IoT-enabled technologies. Read on!

What Are Conductive and EMI Shielding Plastics?

In essence, conductive and EMI shielding plastics are thermoplastic or thermoset polymers enhanced with conductive additives. These materials are specifically designed to dissipate or reflect electromagnetic waves, which helps shield sensitive electronic components from interference. Depending on the application, these materials can be tailored to provide surface conductivity, volume conductivity, or a combination of both.

Common base resins used to make conductive and EMI shielding plastics include:

• Polycarbonate (PC)
• Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
• Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
• Polyamide (PA/Nylon)
• Polyetherimide (PEI)

These resins are filled with conductive materials such as

• Carbon black
• Carbon nanotubes
• Silver-coated particles
• Stainless steel fibers
• Nickel-coated graphite

The end result is a high-performance plastic that can offer lightweight shielding, mechanical durability, chemical resistance, and processability. All of these are key requirements in modern electronics and telecom devices.

Market Outlook for Conductive and EMI Shielding Plastics

The market for conductive and EMI shielding plastics for 5G and IoT is poised to witness sustained growth in the coming years, according to our latest market analysis. The conductive & EMI shielding plastics for 5G & IoT market size was valued at USD 1,348.29 million in 2024. It is projected to grow to USD 3,746.37 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.8% during 2025-2034.

The robust growth of the market is driven by several factors. The rising adoption of smart cities globally, which rely on dense networks of IoT devices, sensors, and cameras, is creating EMI, disrupting sensitive electronics, and degrading signal performance. As a result, conductive plastics with EMI shielding properties are being increasingly used to help ensure reliable connectivity among these devices and infrastructure components. Increasing miniaturization of electronic devices, which increases challenges for manufacturers in managing EMI, is further boosting the adoption of conductive and EMI shielding plastics.

How Conductive Plastics Work?

As mentioned earlier, conductive plastics are engineered thermosets or thermoplastics that have been infused with electrically conductive materials. These fillers are uniformly dispersed throughout the plastic matrix, which creates a conductive network within the non-conductive polymer.

This internal network enables the plastic to perform two critical functions in shielding. These include:

• Conduct Electricity: The embedded conductive pathway gives the plastic the ability to carry and dissipate electromagnetic waves, quite similar to that of a metal. That way, the penetration of the EMI into the housing or enclosure of the electronic device is prevented.
• Absorb or Reflect EMI: Based on the formulation and filler type, these plastics can either reflect incoming electronic waves away from sensitive components or absorb and neutralize them before they cause disruption.

The effectiveness of the shielding is based on various factors. These include the type and concentration of the conductive filler, uniformity of filler dispersion, thickness of the molded part, and frequency range of EMI exposure.

As with conventional plastics, conductive and EMI shielding plastics can be injection-molded, extruded, or thermoformed. This offers a huge benefit in designing and manufacturing flexibility, making them well-suited for compact and high-performance applications.

Advantages of Conductive and EMI Shielding Plastics over Traditional Metal Shielding

Conductive and EMI shielding plastics offer several key benefits over metals. These include:

Lightweight: Conductive and EMI shielding plastics are significantly lighter than metals. This lightweight property makes them ideal for weight-sensitive applications such as aerospace, automotive, and handheld electronics.

Cost-Efficient Manufacturing: Unlike metals, plastics don’t need secondary operations like stamping, welding, or plating. This simplifies production and reduces costs.

Corrosion Resistance: The ability of plastics to resist corrosion makes them more durable in harsh or outdoor environments.

Integrated Functionality: Along with EMI shielding, these plastics can offer thermal management, flame retardance, or structural support. This integrated functionality enables multi-functional component design.

Key Applications in the 5G and IoT Ecosystem

Here are some of the key applications of conductive and EMI shielding plastics in the 5G and the Internet of Things ecosystem:

Network Infrastructure: Base stations, antennas, and routers for 5G are packed with signal-processing electronics. Plastics with EMI shielding properties are used in housings and internal components to ensure clean signal transmission and thermal control without adding extra weight.

Consumer Electronics: From smartphones to wearable tech, consumer electronic devices are becoming more miniaturized while packing in more features. Conductive plastics allow manufacturers to maintain signal integrity and adhere to safety standards, all while enabling compact form factors.

Automotive Electronics: Modern automobiles, especially electric vehicles, come with several advanced systems, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment units, and battery management systems. All of these are essentially computer systems that need protection for EMI. The use of conductive plastics in enclosures and connectors helps manufacturers reduce weight and increase efficiency.

Industrial IoT (IIoT): Factories with smart sensors and connected machines have high levels of electric noise. Components made from shielding plastics help protect sensitive electronics used in automation, monitoring, and robotics.

Final Thoughts

In the fast-evolving 5G and IoT landscape, shielding against electromagnetic interference is a foundational necessity. As electronics become more integrated into every aspect of life, the materials that make them reliable, compact, and efficient have become highly critical. To conclude, conductive and EMI shielding plastics are a smarter, more adaptable material choice for the next generation of connected technologies.