Plasticizer geographical distribution

The consumption of thermoplastics predominates (as indicated by Table 2.3) but the market share distribution of the thermoplastic application sectors (see Table 2.8 and Figure 2.7) is nevertheless somewhat different from that of plastics as a whole. Figures vary broadly according to geographical area. 

The sales and distribution channels of plastic mill shapes are less sophisticated and not as structured as distribution of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The industry growth has been so rapid that maturity of distribution as found in other mill shapes industries has not had time to evolve. Currently there are almost twenty mill shape producers of mechanical plastics. These producers supply the market through distributors, direct to the O.E.M. and in one instance a national producer employs the above marketing modes plus utilizing its own fifty stocking service centers. This places the company in the closest possible contact geographically with all its markets. 

Table 12.12 gives the average commercial specifications of caprolactam. It is devoted essentially to the manufacture of nylon-6, used largely in the form of fibers and also to produce plastics and films. Table 12.13 shows the distribution of caprolactam uses in Western Europe, tbe United States and Japan, as well as tbe production, capacities and consumption in these three geographic areas m 1984. 

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