Driven by EU expansion and recovery in Germany, the European market for thermoplastics grew well in 2006. The EU had its strongest year since the turn of the century with volume demand growing well over 3% to nearly 40 mln tons. However not all materials or all countries benefited from this recovery in the market. To know about the materials, applications, countries that grew well and the laggards that stagnated, read Demand for thermoplastics grows at over 3% in Europe in 2006
On the eve of K 2007, www.plastemart.com will profile few of the newer developments to be on displayed at the fair. This is the first in the series of curtain raisers to K2007.
Some exciting developments in polymers will be unveiled at K 2007. While the majority of new material developments fall in the engineering thermoplastic category, several interesting polyolefins will also be introduced. Read more in K 2007 will unveil some exciting developments in polymers
Reinforced plastics is finding increasing application as replacement material for steel, aluminium and
other metals primarily because of their strength to weight ratio. Material substitution will remain the
driving force behind advances in reinforced plastics. Higher performance requirements, along with polymer
type, reinforcement and processing improvements will broaden applications and enhance competitiveness. Read in
Reinforced plastic demand in USA will reach 2 mln tons by 2011
Liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) are highly crystalline, inherently flame retardant, thermotropic
(melt-orienting) thermoplastics. They exhibit little or no shrinkage in the flow direction and require
very little time to solidify. For high precision, thin walled parts that may need to survive high heat
exposure, liquid crystal polymers are being specified. To know more about the newer LCPs, read
Enhanced properties of liquid crystalline polymers increase usage in demanding applications
Pressure exerted by the consumers is demanding flame retardant goods. Manufacturers need to supply products
that are not only flame retardant, but also maintain their physical and aesthetic properties. Advances in fine
denier polypropylene fiber processing have opened the carpet face and wall covering markets. Read more in
Antimony pentoxide provides better flame retardant properties to fine denier PP fiber
