The Market for Plastics

Some idea of the spectacular growth in the plastics industry may be obtained from consideration of Table 1.1. Whilst growth in percentage terms was greatest before 1973, it has remained high in tonnage terms up to the present time. 

The similarity between USA and Western Europe data is quite striking. In recent years the dominance of these two areas, which traditionally accounted for at least two-thirds of the market, has decreased and by 1998 was closer to 50% of the market. This was as a result of growth in production in petroleumexporting countries, in Latin America and, particularly, in the Pacific Rim area. However, the economic turmoil which particularly affected the latter from 1997 is in early 1999 having an influence whose consequences are not yet clear. 

One recurring problem has been that a perceived shortage of a particular material has led to plans by more than one company to build large plants to produce that material, so that a shortage is then followed by a period of severe excess capacity and depressed polymer prices. 

As already mentioned, much of the use for plastics just after World War II was as a cheap substitute for traditional materials, and in other cases the material was used for its novelty value. In many instances the result was detrimental to the industry and it required several years of painstaking work by the technical service departments of the major plastics materials manufacturers before confidence was regained in the use of plastics. Even today the public image of plastics is not entirely positive and the significant contribution of plastics to raising the standard of living and quality of life is not fully recognised. 

NB Data for the three important thermosetting m riab (phenolics. amim lastics and epoxide resins) were not covered in the 1998 review on which the 1997 data was based. The 1987 figures for ihe.se materials do include a substantial percentage of use in 

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OBPA currently accounts for about half of the market for plastic biostabilisers worldwide but this level is slowly diminishing due to environmental and health concerns. These considerations are highlighted by the potential leaching of arsenic from plastic articles... 

The market for plastic cookware that can be used in the fi-eezer and microwave is set for a big expansion. Most cookware is made up of fiberglass reinforced thermoset resins. High-barrier multilayer containers that have gained popularity in the market are heat retortable, microwaveable, and provide a shelf life of up to two years without refrigeration for a variety of convenience foods. Liquid crystal polymers have also been used to make cookware as they are transparent to microwave, offer high heat resistance, and give an excellent finish. 

The high-torque drives that are just now emerging hold lots of technically and economically promising options for extruder applications in the years to come the first few high-speed extruders with high-torque drives are already on the market - for plastics. 

Bottle-bill legislation passes in several states in the United States (1972-1985) Plastic bottle recycling infrastructure begins to be established to complement that for glass as the market for plastic carbonated beverage bottles grows... 

TTie demand for recycled resins is expected to rise significantly in the next three years, according to the study, "The Market for Plastics Recycling and Degradable Plastics, by Find/S VP, a New York market research firm. HDPE and PET are estimated to comprise 65% of the recycled resin market for 1990. It is expected that the amount of recycled HDPE and LDPE will nearly double between 1990 and 1991, from 252 to 498 million pounds, and from 87 to 163 million pounds, respectively (Chamas, 1S190]. It is estimated the HDPE recycle will exceed 1 billion pounds by 1994. Figure 5.1 shows the recycled resin demand fat the six primary thermoplastics by type from 1988 to 1993. The combined total of recycled resin for the six plastics by the end of 1993 are projected to be 3.5 times the 1990 levels. 

Thermoplastics comprise the majority of the market for plastics materials their shaping will be discussed first. For the analysis of such processes, it is helpful to consider a number of unit operations , which provide a framework, or skeleton, on which the detail may be developed. The important stages are ... 

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