ENGINEERING AND PERFORMANCE PLASTICS, 2005-2015, RAPRA, VIENNA 2005

Françoise Pardos, Pardos Marketing, February 2006

Abstract

Out of a total world plastics consumption over 195 million tons forecast estimate for 2005, engineering plastics amount to 7 million tons, and higher performance specialty plastics to close to 300 000 tons. Overall value figures are much higher compared to volume figures.

• Definitions, global and area detailed figures for nylons, PC, POM, PBT, PPE, alloys, PSU, PPS, PEEK, LCP, fluoropolymers and many others.
• Engineering and high performance plastics have common characteristics: higher performance properties than commodity plastics, higher temperature performances, synergy of performances, mechanical, electrical, chemical, etc.
• Faster growth than commodity plastics.
• Competition between plastics, commodity and engineering plastics, through alloys and blends and enhancement of commodity polymers such as polypropylene or styrenics.
• Some engineering plastics to achieve commodity volumes by 2015, like PC and nylon.
• Main areas of development remain the US, Europe and Asia, China fast emerging.
• Main applications in the car and electrical/electronic industries, also aircraft, aerospace, medical, and even some consumer goods.
• Concentration of few world suppliers.
• Growth driven by consumption in new industrial countries, by new applications, by some substitutions.

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