Fluoropolymers are set to replace other materials as emerging design trends that require superior performance characteristics, in key applications such as wire and cable, motor vehicles and architectural coatings. A 5.7% annual growth up to 2011 has been forecast for fluoropolymers (including fluorelastomers) by the Freedonia research group. This rate of growth is faster than the 4.0% growth recorded in 2001-2006. The US market will be worth $1.86bn in 2011, compared with $1.41bn in 2006. Electrical and electronic products are expected to account for 37% of total US demand for fluoropolymers.
PTFE demand will expand at the below average rate of 4.7% pa to grow to US$455 mln in 2011. The below average growth is being attributed to maturity of the market in applications like non-stick coatings and industrial components.
PVDF is expected to have the fastest rise among all major fluoropolymers, growing from US$209 mln in 2006 to US$276 mln in 2011. Demand for PVDF-based architectural coatings will benefit from strength in non-residential construction.
FEP demand is forecast to grow by 5.3% pa to US$319 mln in 2011.
Fluorelastomers will record a 5.4% pa growth to reach US$365 mln.
PFA and PVF will benefit from demand in microelectronics processing equipment and solar energy products, respectively.
26-Jun-07 
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