Plastics worldwide demand

Formaldehyde. Worldwide, the largest amount of formaldehyde (qv) is consumed in the production of urea—formaldehyde resins, the primary end use of which is found in building products such as plywood and particle board (see Amino resins and plastics). The demand for these resins, and consequently methanol, is greatly influenced by housing demand. In the United States, the greatest market share for formaldehyde is again in the constmction industry. However, a fast-growing market for formaldehyde can be found in the production of acetylenic chemicals, which is driven by the demand for 1,4-butanediol and its subsequent downstream product, spandex fibers (see Fibers, elastomeric). 

Over the past several decades, there has been a continuing growth in the worldwide demand for plastics, films and fibers, particularly polyesters. The raw materials that make up these polymers are based primarily on the C8 family of aromatics (C8A)-ethylbenzene (EB), para-xylene (PX), meta-xylene (MX), and ortho-xylene (OX). Polyester (PET plastic), derived from PX, in particular has experienced rapid growth and is projected to see continue rapid growth as many developing countries desire to have the lifestyle flexibility that such readily available, versatile plastics support. While the markets for MX- and OX-derived plastics are smaller (plasticizers and specialty polyesters, respectively), all C8A markets continue to increase with population growth [59],... 

MDI [4,4 -methylenebis (phenylisocyanate)] accounted for almost 85% of the worldwide demand for aniline in 2000. MDI is used primarily to make rigid polyurethane foam and polyurethane elastomers. MDI growth is expected to be 6% to 8% per year during the 2000 s as its use continues to increase in the construction industry (the largest user of rigid polyurethane foam) and the auto industry (the largest user of reaction-injection molding plastics). The aniline uses are shown in Table 20.3255. 

Next to ethylene, propylene and vinylchloride, styrene is one of the most important monomers for the production of plastics. The worldwide demand for styrene in 1992 was 18.2 million tonnes and is expected to grow annually with 3-5% to 23.9 million tons in 2000 [42]. Recent production statistics show an annual production of about 1.3 million tons of styrene in the Netherlands. Approximately 75% of this is produced at DOW Benelux in Terneuzen by catalytic adiabatic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene [42]. 

The major roles of fillers in these applications is to provide reinforcement, fire retarding properties and to lower the cost. Development work on plastic materials is ongoing and the goal is to develop technology which is inexpensive but can perform under adverse conditions. These studies have intensified recently given the increased worldwide demand for new houses. China is an extreme example. It needs 100,000,000 houses to be built in the next five years. 

As mentioned in the introduction section that commercial plastics became a necessity in our life due to their versatility, outstanding technical properties and relatively low price. This has resulted in an increased worldwide demand of plastics more than 100 million tonnes per year and expanding at around 4-5 % per... 

The ( 247.16 million) expansion project, known as EP2 (Ethane Cracker Expansion Project 2), was first commissioned in July 2007 to increase production of ethylene, used as a feedstock in the manufacturing of plastics, to cater for the increased worldwide demand especially fi om emerging markets. 

The oversupply of polyester fibers and the trend toward casual dress has had a negative impact on the cellulose acetate textile market. Use in plastics applications has also declined. Worldwide demand for fiber declined at the rate of 9% per year for the period 1996-2001. It is estimated that the decline will continue at the rate of 3% per year during the period 2001-2006. 

According to one market research company, NanoMarkets, growth in demand for plastics in electronics applications will be driven by the condnctive polymers and flexible substrates sectors reaching worldwide demand figure of 5.8 billion US dollars by 2009. 

Today, the requirements are constantly changing and rising to higher levels [2]. The world s annual consumption of polymer materials has increased from around 5 million metric tons in the 1950s to nearly 100 million metric tons today [3, 4]. The worldwide demand for plastic pipes is forecast to increase 4.6% annually through 2012 to 8.2 billion meters or 18.2 million tons. Demand for HOPE (polyethylene) pipes will benefit from use as small-diameter pipes in natural gas transmission, as conduit for electrical and telecommunications applications, and as corrugated pipes for drains and sewers [5]. 

Overall, the worldwide demand for plastic is forecast to be 45 kg per capita by 2015 (PlasticsEurope, 2009). The plastics market is still a big cake to be shared among the existing players, and newcomers will also have the opportunity to gain a market share. From research data provided by the global... 

Adipic acid is a very large volume organic chemical. Worldwide production in 1986 reached 1.6 x 10 t (3.5 x 10 lb) (158) and in 1989 was estimated at more than 1.9 x 10 t (Table 7). It is one of the top fifty (159) chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume, with 1989 production estimated at 745,000 t (160). Growth rate in demand in the United States for the period 1988—1993 is estimated at 2.5% per year based on 1987—1989 (160). Table 7 provides individual capacities for U.S. manufacturers. Western European capacity is essentially equivalent to that in the United States at 800,000 t/yr. Demand is highly cycHc (161), reflecting the automotive and housing markets especially. Prices usually foUow the variabiUty in cmde oil prices. Adipic acid for nylon takes about 60% of U.S. cyclohexane production the remainder goes to caprolactam for nylon-6, export, and miscellaneous uses (162). In 1989 about 88% of U.S. adipic acid production was used in nylon-6,6 (77% fiber and 11% resin), 3% in polyurethanes, 2.5% in plasticizers, 2.7% miscellaneous, and 4.5% exported (160). 

HDPE is one of the largest commodity plastics manufactured worldwide. Dynamics of HDPE production is represented by the following data indicating both the existing and projected demand (t/yr) (114) ... 

The mature plastics industry is a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry in which a steady flow of new or improved plastic materials, new or improved production processes, and new or improved market demands has caused rapid and tremendous growth in the use of plastics. For over a century the World of Plastics product production, with over a billion products, continues to expand enormously with the passing of time. Manufacturers are introducing new products in record time. The ability to shrink time-to-market schedules continues to evolve through the more knowledgeable application and behavior or familiarity of the different plastic ma-... 

In order to meet the rising demand for information thousands of databases are available worldwide. Nearly all supply technical literature, economic information, patent references, and manufacturers addresses. Materials databases with numerical values are a relatively small part of these programs. Because the majority of these databases are from individual manufacturers of plastics, there is only limited comprehensive, neutral information on most materials in these software programs. 

A Maack Scheidl Partnership CH-8804 Au/near Zurich, Switzerland Tel +41-1-781 3040 Fax +41-1-781 1569 http //www.MBSpolymer.com Plastics technology and marketing business service, which organizes global conferences, and edits a range of reports and studies, which focus on important worldwide aspects of polymer research, development, production, and end uses. Provides updates on plastic costs, pricing, forecast, supply/demand, and analysis. Identified early in the cycle are trends in production, products and market segments. 

BASF, a multinational chemicals industry leader, reported that plastics consumption grew from 86 million tons in 1990 to 174 million tons in 2003. At one time, BASF projected that plastics demand would grow further to 318 million tons in 2015. However, due to the global economic crisis of 2008-2009, the picture for plastics consumption worldwide changed significantly. Decreasing sales, plastics plant shutdowns and employee layoffs became commonplace. BASF, for example, reported reductions in its production in 2009, and shortened work hours were implemented for more than 4,000 employees early that year. By June 2009, BASF shortened hours for an additional 3,000 employees and planned to cut 2,000 jobs by the end of the year. 

Plastics are a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry in which a steady flow of new plastic materials, new fabrication processes, new design concepts, and new market demands have caused rapid and tremendous... 

Styrene is one of the most important aromatic monomers used for the manufacture of plastics. Small-scale commercial production of styrene began in the 1930s. Demand for styrene-based plastics has grown significantly, and in 2003 the worldwide annual production capacity was approximately 24.5 million metric tons. ... 

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