ARTICLES

  • The rise in disposable income for Asia’s middle and upper classes is leading to increase in consumption of durable and non-durable goods made from polymers and chemicals. Beyond the US$5000 income threshold, the population in countries like India and China buys its first refrigerator, television and other appliances, followed by a car. In China, an estimated 28 mln people have been crossing this threshold each year, with an additional 23 mln in India, totalling to about 70 mln throughout Asia. Asia is set to add more olefins capacity by 2020 than the combined capacity of the low cost shale related ethane crackers in North America and the low cost feedstock crackers in the Middle East. Read more in With a growing middle class and rise in urbanization, Asia to drive global olefin demand
  • Decreasing mineral ore sources have increased the cost of metal equipment, leading to replacement by plastics. Polymers aso offer increased strength, shine, durability and heat sensitivity, etc. Thus the demand for additives which enhances the properties of plastics is also on rise. Plastic additives is a diversified industry with a wide variety such as property modifiers, property extenders, property stabilizers and processing aids and is set to demonstrate a high growth rate over the next few years. Additive manufacturers are majorly concentrating on specialty chemicals that are used in construction and automobile equipment. To know about the market forces that are driving and restraining the growth of the industry, the growing regions and growth opportunities for the application segments, trends in the industry, market growth, market outlook, etc, read Global Plastic Additive market to grow at CAGR almost 5% till end of decade
  • Masterbatches are used as colorants for plastics which find applications in almost all areas of plastic processing. Factors driving growth of this sector include steady economic growth, rapid pace of industrialization, increasing production of plastic products, etc. Recent innovations that have benefited the market include anti-shrinkage masterbatch, flame-retardant masterbatches for PP pipes and PC sheets, anti-fog masterbatches for food packaging, anti-microbial and odor managing masterbatches, and masterbatches for biopolymer and biodegradable resins. To know about the region that is the largest in terms of demand, the region with growth potential, the growing application sector, supply dynamics, the masterbatch with best growth, and that with best growth potential, read Evolving needs of end-use markets to drive demand for Masterbatches at CAGR of over 5% till end of decade
  • Bisphenol compounds are included in the composition of different polymers, as they are inexpensive and offer the advantage of endowing these matrices with thermomechanical, plasticising and/or antioxidant properties. However, their main drawback is their proven toxicity to humans as well as to the environment. In the long term, changes to the REACH regulations may ban their use, and particularly in products destined to come into contact with humans. Potentially safer, greener options are being explored - A bio-catalytic method using plant biomass to produce replacements for bisphenol A is being developed. The methodology developed specifically uses "raw materials" of plant origin. Another research team has developed BPA from feedstock lignin, that comes from trees, a renewable resource. Read more in Developments in bio based BPA addresses health and environment concerns and regulations
  • Opportunities for light-weighting, fuel efficiency requirement and emission reduction regulations drive the growth of automotive composites, that is forecast to accelerate faster that the global automotive market till 2024. An increase in the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles in which composites' usage for light-weighting is of essence, as well as introduction of new models with more varied and extensive usage of composites till the end of the decade drive growth in this sector. Read more in Global automotive composites market to be worth US$9.6 bln in 2014
  • The market for automotive plastics in India has grown at an exponential CAGR of around 25% during 2009-12, and is expected to accelerate in growth in the next five years. The consumption of polypropylene and polyurethane is forecast to double in terms of revenues in automotive plastics sector in India during the next five years. Western region of India is the highest revenue generator to this industry. Backed by Government initiatives, growth is driven by diverse factors. Read more in Automotive plastics market revenues forecast to double by end of 2017 in India