Polyethylene growth forecasts

From the materials point of view, we have clearly seen that both the total polyethylene and the polypropylene industries are still on an ascending curve, far away it seems from a plateau in terms of growth. This is clear from production forecast data in Figs. 2.2 and 2.3 discussed earlier in this chapter. 

It should be noted that these estimates are not based on any long-term market forecast studies carried out by this author, but merely an attempt to demonstrate the enormous growth opportxmities that maybe experienced by the polyethylene industry if this business continues on a growth cycle and does not begin to enter the product mature stage, which is the next phase of a product life cycle. 

This market forecast is in sharp contrast to predictions made in the period from 1995-2005, in which business executives correctly assumed that polyethylene capacity would most likely not undergo much growth in North America due to the need to import natural gas and a continuing decrease in the production of crude oil. The likelihood of importing additional crude oil, natural gas and polyethylene from the Middle East region seemed inevitable. 

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