ARTICLES
India is currently the world’s third largest consumer of polymers, behind China and USA, with a share of 5.7% of the 2011 global total. This is an increase from it’s share in global consumption of 2000 of 3.5%. An insatiable manufacturing industry, a surging economy and supportive government policies have already made India a polymer superpower, with tremendous growth potential.
The resulting deregulation and privatization sparked a boom in end-use sectors such as packaging, construction and automotive that has seen per capita consumption jump. Polymer production levels are soaring in order to keep up with India’s ravenous demand. Read more in
Polymer demand outstrips GDP in India as it becomes third largest market globally
Naphtha, natural gas and coal are the three major feedstocks used in the global petrochemicals industry. Not only are feedstock options for petrochemical producers limited and dependent on the location of the manufacturing facilities, but also account for the largest portion of production cost. The Brazilian petrochemical industry is set to start large-scale crude oil production from pre-salt reserves this year, which will benefit the country by strengthening its feedstock production and exports. The new reserves will help balance the feedstock scarcity being experienced. Read more in Newly discovered pre-salt oil reserves in South America to change global petrochemical feedstock supply
Demand for polymers in electrical and electronic applications is expected to grow well globally. Growth will be driven by newer applications for polymers in developed economies and growing applications in the Asian region. To know about trends affecting the electronic polymer markets in the major regions of the world, growth drivers, challenges and restraints, major players, etc, read Global demand for polymers in electrical and electronic applications to increase at CAGR of 6.9% till 2017
The use of automotive carbon fiber composites market is growing globally, driven by several factors including substitution trends within materials and chemicals in automotive industry, increasing demand in European markets for high performance polymers, growing global growth for plastics in passenger vehicles, increased consumer spending, particularly in the luxury and super-luxury car segment, trend towards automotive light weighting. Read more in Automotive carbon fiber composites to grow at a CAGR of 30.6%
Cast polymer products resist mildew and stains and are easily cleaned with non-abrasive cleaning agents. The one-piece, seamless construction of cast polymer is easy to maintain and resistant to breakage. Solid surface products have very high filler content and do not have gel coats. These materials are used primarily in counter top and wall panel applications. Global demand for cast polymers is projected to increase 8.7% pa to 256 mln sq mts in 2014. Approximately 60% of the gains will be attributable to China. Read more in Solid surface and other cast polymer materials demand to grow globally
Solar cells help in generation of cheap, green electricity from sunlight. Solar panel electricity systems (solar photovoltaics) capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells can generate electricity even on cloudy days and do not need direct sunlight to work. A new transparent solar cell that gives windows of buildings the ability to generate electricity while allowing people to see outside has been developed. Read more in Polymer solar cells that are transparent allow windows to generate electricity
A new report seeks to answer if plastics produced from woody feedstocks are cost-competitive with traditional petroleum-based products. It explores if technologies to convert tree-based feedstocks to plastics are ready for prime time. Will these new technologies threaten plastics producers using traditional feedstocks?
Read more in Technological and economic potential of various routes to produce plastics from trees
Waste, if not carefully disposed off, will have an impact on the environment, whether it be unsightly litter in urban streets or contaminated air, soil or water. An important aspect of waste is that it is recyclable. If all human, animal and solid wastes are recycled back to soil, need for inorganic fertilisers to maintain the yield of crops can be eliminated. Today, India produces 180 mln tons of foodgrains and consumes 13 mln tons of inorganic fertilisers at a huge cost. To know about an innovative end use applications, read High Density Polyethylene pipes with holes for segregating solid and liquid waste
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