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Polycarbonate (PC) is one of the larger volume engineering thermoplastics and has enjoyed strong demand
growth. The robust growth of Polycarbonate can be attributed to a combination of technical performance
characteristics, including strength, lightweight, thermal stability and excellent optical performance.
Historically PC demand saw more than 13% growth between 1995 and 2000, and continues to exhibit good
growth. The global demand for Polycarbonate reached 2.7 million tons in 2005. Average annual growth
is expected to be more than 7% pa to 2010. Key application areas are electronics and optical media,
and future demand growth is expected to follow these sectors, though optical media has not continued
to grow at previous rates.
Historically, the bulk of consumption was attributable to North America and Western Europe, which together
accounted for more than half of global consumption in 2005. This picture is expected to alter dramatically
over the next decade. Between 2005 and 2010, Asian demand is expected to grow by over 7% pa and by 2010 is
projected to make up about half of total global demand. Asia is expected to continue to dwarf all other
regions in terms of PC imports. Although significant capacity is expected to be added within Asia over the
medium to long term, the additions are not expected to be able to meet the rate at which demand is forecast
to grow. The annual capacity growth rate in Asia is forecast at around 10% pa, whereas consumption in the
region is growing at just under 8% pa on average. This implies that Asia will be able to reduce some of
its dependence on imports post-2005 as it brings more domestic capacity online. North American producers
are expected to focus increasingly on domestic markets, while overall the total European region remains
relatively balanced.
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