High-Performance Material: Ceresana Analyzes the Global Market for Engineering Plastics
Demand for engineering plastics with special physical and chemical characteristics has been increasing more strongly than the sales of common standard plastics such as polypropylene for several years already. Considering the rising demand for increasingly more efficient and lighter material, this trend is likely to even strengthen further. The market research company Ceresana analyzed the world market for engineering plastics already for the second time: Almost 20.3 million tonnes of ABS, PC, PA, PMMA, POM, PBT, SAN, and fluoropolymers were sold last year.
ABS Dominates
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is by far the most frequently used engineering plastic: It accounts for about 40% of the total demand. More than 6 million tonnes were processed in 2015 in the region Asia-Pacific alone. Among others, ABS is used for seat components and door panels of cars, casings of electronic devices, film, pipes, and sheets in the construction industry, as well as for shower heads, toys, and many other household appliances.
Plastics for Fast Cars
Worldwide, electrical and electronic applications as well as consumer goods are among the most important sales markets for many engineering plastics - almost 25% of global demand originate in each of these two sectors. The transportation industry is the third largest individual market. Ceresana expects the highest growth in the upcoming years for this segment. At rates of 2.5% and 2.9% p.a., application in the construction industry and in consumer goods will exhibit a weaker development. The markets for engineering plastics develop very differently as a result. While the transportation segment accounts for 35% of polyamide (PA) consumption, consumer goods are the major sales market of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
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