Growth of polymer production compared with steel and aluminium

Generally, the polymer industry consists of polymer manufacturers, converters and machine manufacturers. Around 71200 people in EU-15 are employed in polymer manufacturing while the wider industry chain including machine manufacturers and converters, employs approximately 1.4 million people (2003). 

Around 45 companies in EU-15 - mainly multinationals - produce the large volume thermoplastic materials which are sold to around 30000 small and medium sized companies which process the polymers into products for end use. 

Margin = sales revenues - raw material costs in per tonne 

Prices EUR/t Highest 93/99 EUR/t/date Lowest 93/99 EUR/t/date 3 quarter 1999 EUR/t/date 

The situation for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003 for these commodity plastics, which represent 75 % of the total amoimt of polymers sold, is shown in Table 1.5. 

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Figure 1.7 Growth of polymer production compared with steel and aluminium...

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