ARTICLES

  • The share of WPC and Natural fibre composites (NFC) in the total composite market is at 15%. NFC are plastics reinforced with natural fibres: mostly wood, bamboo, flax or hemp. They are increasingly used in consumer goods like watchcases, toys, combs and trays. These end products have a more refined look, are aesthetically appealing, eye catching and look more natural. They need less plastic due addition of wood and natural fibres-which benefits the environmental footprint. Mechanical properties are not compromised. Read about some award winning product innovations in Products from wood and natural fibre composites are sustainable, offer a natural look and feel
  • The global wood plastic composite market is projected to have double digit growth uptil 2019, driven mainly by building and construction products, automotive components, industrial & consumer goods. Polyethylene is the single-largest segment, holding more than half the global market share while demand from B&C is currently the largest. North America was the largest consumer of B&C products in 2014, followed by Asia. Partnerships, agreements, expansions, joint ventures, and acquisitions are some of the main strategies adopted by the market players to achieve growth. Read more in Led by demand from building & construction sector, wood plastic composites (WPC) market to grow well globally
  • Demand from automotive, aerospace along with industrialization and infrastructure development have led to an increase in the consumption of polymer nanocomposites for various specialized products. Innovative bio-based nanocomposites being introduced are expected to contribute to its sustainability. However, several factors will restrict market growth including high R&D costs and high deployment costs. To know more about market segmentation, growth regions and laggards, growth applications, current market trends and future innovations s, read Demand from packaging, automotive, aerospace industry leads to consumption growth of polymer nanocomposites
  • Additives are vital for the mass production of plastic products as they improve the melting and molding properties of plastics, strength, stability and chemical properties, heat, etc. The global plastic additives market is segregated on the basis of additive types, plastic types, applications and regions. Additive types include flame retardants, plasticizers, impact modifiers, stabilizers and others. Key application segments include consumer goods, packaging, automobile, construction, and others like furniture, agriculture, sports and pharmaceutical. To know more, read Enhanced demand from construction, packaging, consumer goods, automotive, to drive global plastic additives market till decade-end
  • Antistatic agents are additives that are added to polymers to reduce the build-up of static charge in various materials by attracting moisture to the surface of the materials. This market is estimated to register CAGR of over 4% in terms of revenue until 2019. The rise in the number of end-use applications will propel growth during the forecast period. Upsurge in disposable income and changes in lifestyle of consumers in developing countries such as China, India, and countries in GCC are likely to boost consumption of plastics, which is expected to fuel demand. Continuous R&D and innovation will come up with the latest product offering that will offer functionality of various other additives, driving the global antistatic agents market. Read more in Robust demand for anti-static agents to be fuelled by soaring consumption of plastics across end user industries