Consumption of Plastics and the Implications for Additives

Per eapita eonsumption of plastics in Western Europe rose from 65 kg/person/year in 1991 to 89.5 kg/y in 2000 and 94.6 kg/y in 2002. In 2003, 37.2% of the region s plastics consumption was directed to packaging, 18.5% to building and construction, electrical and electronic 8.5%, and automotive 8%. 

Some of the figures for individual polymers (including the thermoset category) in Table 6.1 include an allowance for minor usage in applications such as coatings and fibres. The bottom figure refers to the total amount of polymer used in plastics products. 

Growth in sales of acrylics, PVC, LDPE, the thermosets, polyamides, polystyrene and ABS consumption in Western Europe have been disappointing, although PVC sales have since risen. Only one sixth of the world s ABS is now processed in Western Europe because Asia manufactures most of the relevant appliances. Polycarbonate and PET consumption has grown at an above average rate. 

Worldwide, 165 million tonnes of polymer was consumed in 2003. The largest sector was packaging with 63 M tonnes, followed by building and construction with 30 M, and automobile and transport 12 M (about the same as electrical and electronics). Smaller sectors include agriculture at 5 M and medical at 2 M tonnes. 

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