Injection molding involves the manufacturing of plastic products by injecting molten materials into a mold, where it is melted, cooled, and solidified to form the final product. Thermoplastic as well as thermosetting injection molded plastics are used for manufacturing several parts and components for various applications. Injection molded plastics are used in the production of complex and intricate-shaped parts to ensure precision and minimize wastage. Hence, injection molded plastics are used in manufacturing automotive components, interior wrapping, and numerous assembly parts. It is chiefly used in packaging applications to manufacture packaging parts and components to increase the aesthetic value and consumer friendliness of the packaging products. Popularity of injection molded plastics in building and construction applications is increasing, owing to their strength, durability, and texture of the injection molded plastic parts. In building and construction, these plastic parts or components are mainly used for piping systems, insulations, wall boards, and roofing purposes among others. Healthcare industry is anticipated to be the fastest growing application segment for injection molded plastic industry during the forecast period. Moreover, blood sample analysis cuvettes, pregnancy test devices, housings for needles, medical devices components are the other application areas of these plastics, owing to their light weight, cost-effectiveness, and easy sterilizability. 
Injection molded plastics are used in automated processes to reduce the manufacturing cost. It also reduces the waste production in production process. Factors such as low production waste and faster production process would augment the growth of the injection molded plastic market. In addition, the process has ability to use different types of raw materials simultaneously to manufacture plastic parts. Furthermore, technological advancements in injection molding process, where robots are deployed for performing different operations, such as finishing and assembling injection molded parts and loading components into the injection molding, would foster the growth of the market. Therefore, the world injection molded plastic market is estimated to reach US$162.06 bln by 2020, registering a CAGR of 4.9% during 2014–2020, as per Allied Market Research. However, high initial tooling cost and volatile prices of crude oil would hamper the growth of the market. Among the materials, polypropylene is the most preferred raw material, owing to its ease of molding, electrical insulating properties, heat resistance, and low cost. In 2014, polypropylene accounted for about 39% share of this market. Furthermore, on the basis of end-users, the market is segmented into packaging, automotive, consumer goods & electronics, building & construction, and medical disposal. In 2014, packaging was the leading application segment for injection molding, accounting for around 37% of the overall market share. The growing demand for rigid packaging material in industrial and consumer packaging applications would foster demand in the packaging industry. In 2014, North America was the leading market for injection molded plastic, accounting for around 35% of the global market share. Asia-Pacific and LAMEA have witnessed large-scale demand on account of its growing demand in building & construction sector, consumer appliances, and automotive industries. Hence, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2014–2020.
Key findings of the study include:
- Healthcare to be the fastest growing end use industry segment.
- Packaging to remain dominant application segment throughout the forecast period.
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene segment to exhibit highest growth during the forecast period.
 - Rising demand of packaging in automotive and consumer goods to make polypropylene the most lucrative segment, specifically due to its low cost, easy to mould nature and heat resistance.
- North America and Europe are the dominant geographies, collectively held about 66% market share in 2014.
North America and Europe has been prominent consumers of injection molded plastics, largely due to high demand from packaging and automotive industries. Asia Pacific hosts one of the fastest growing automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and semiconductors industry and hence offer lucrative growth opportunities for injection molded plastics market in the region. Moreover, China, Japan and India are leading markets in terms of consumption and revenues in the region. The industry is fast moving and continuous product improvement is most required to remain competitive. Continuous innovation in design, specificity, and customization has led to the frequent launch of new and advance products, resulting into adoption in newer applications.
As per mrrse.com, out of all the applications, packaging dominates the global molded plastics market and is expected to retain its dominance in the coming few years. Demand in this segment will be driven by the growing usage of plastics for the purpose of packaging of food and beverages, electronic equipment, surgical equipment, and others. Demand in the electronics and consumables segment is expected to be the highest in the next few years. The robust growth rate of this segment can be attributed to increasing demand for electronic goods such as televisions, laptops, and mobile phones. Furthermore, the growing demand for electronics is also fuelling the demand for molded plastics that are required in making internal and external electronic parts. According to analysts, the consumables and electronics segment is likely to account for a share of 30% in the overall molded plastics demand by 2019. Geographically, Asia Pacific was leading the global molded plastics market in 2012, with a share of over 35%. This position was mainly due to the growing demand from various industries in the region such as electronics, automotive, and packaging. As economies such as India, China, and Japan emerge with a strong manufacturing base, Asia Pacific is expected to remain in the top position in the global molded plastics market. Furthermore, rising per capita income, which is allowing consumers to purchase automobiles and electronics, will also drive this region’s growth. Lastly, the ever-increasing demand for packaged food and beverages will also make its generous contribution to the demand for molded plastics in the Asia Pacific region.

The global injection molded plastic market is expected to reach US$295.89 bln by 2022, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing penetration for automotive applications coupled with increasing infrastructure spending particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America is expected to remain a key driving factor over the forecast period. Positive outlook on global packaging industry is also projected to have a positive influence on the market growth. Volatile raw materials prices of major raw materials such as ethylene and propylene are expected to remain a key challenge for market participants. Commercialization of large scale production lines with variable molds along with technological innovations by key industry participants is expected to create new avenues for key industry participants. Polypropylene emerged as the leading raw materials with demand share exceeding 35% in 2014. Increasing polypropylene demand for rigid packaging is expected to drive its demand over the forecast period. The product is also expected to witness the highest growth of 4.5% from 2015 to 2022.The high rate of penetration of finished goods in packaging and construction materials may be attributed to high growth. Further key findings from the report suggest: 

• The global injection molded plastics demand was 95.91 mln tons in 2014 and is expected to reach 133.63 mln tons by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2015 to 2022
• Packaging was the leading application segment and accounted for 33.4% of total market volume in 2014. The segment is anticipated to witness moderate growth with significant demand coming from rigid packaging for personal care and food storage industry.
• Injection molded plastics demand in medical applications is anticipated to witness the highest growth over the forecast period. The segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% in terms of demand from 2015 to 2022.
• Asia Pacific was the leading regional market with demand share estimated at 37.5% in 2014. Increasing construction spending coupled with increasing automobile production in China, Indonesia and India is expected to remain a key driving factor for the regional market.