North American companies to distribute an estimated 91 bln lbs of thermoplastic compounds in 2009

15-Oct-09

North American companies will distribute an estimated 91 billion pounds of thermoplastic compounds in 2009 as per a report by BCC Research. This is expected to increase to 107 bln lbs in 2014, for a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The market is broken down into resin producers, processors, and independent compounders. The resin producers segment has the largest share of the market, distributing an estimated 60 billion pounds of compounds in 2009. The segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% to reach 70.2 bln lbs in 2014. The processors segment has the second-largest share of the market with 20 billion pounds distributed in 2009. That figure is expected to increase to 23.6 billion pounds in 2014, for a CAGR of 3.4%. Independent compounds are expected to distribute nearly 11 billion pounds in 2009. The segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% to reach 13.1 billion pounds in 2014. Production of compounded plastics is highly competitive. Competition is based on many factors, including speed, delivery, service, performance, product innovation, product recognition, quality and price. Resin producers take a bigger role in markets where significant proprietary technology is involved, such as is increasingly the case for flame-retardant engineering thermoplastics for the electrical/electronics market.