Ceresana report Auto parts made from sugar? High-tech plastics go green

Related Vendors

Ceresana Research

CUMSA

BORIDE Engineered Abrasives

AMPCO METAL Deutschland GbmH

High-performance plastics are not only resistant and versatile, but are increasingly based on renewable resources. But which markets drive growth? And why does ABS continue to dominate the global market? The new Ceresana study provides exciting insights into the future of engineering plastics.

Car parts made from sugar or vegetable oil? Engineering plastics are still usually more expensive than conventional standard plastics. However, they not only offer excellent mechanical and chemical properties, but also, to an increasing extent, natural source materials and bio-qualities. Ceresana has examined the world market for high-performance polymers: Currently, over 24 million tonnes of ABS, PC, PA, PMMA, POM, PBT, SAN, and fluoropolymers are sold per year. Demand for the colourful array of abbreviations will continue to grow: market researchers predict that global demand for engineering plastics will increase by around 2.6% per year until 2033. The largest sales markets for these plastics are China, the USA, Germany and Japan.

Technical plastics are often used where other materials can no longer keep up: high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, extreme requirements. The lightweight, almost arbitrarily mouldable, cost-effective and sometimes even recyclable high-performance plastics replace metal, glass or ceramic in sliding bearings, gears, seals, insulators, housings and other demanding applications. The trend towards bioplastics and bio-additives has also reached the field of technical plastics. For example, polyamide (PA), better known as nylon and used primarily for textiles, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), sold under brand names such as Plexiglas or Acrylite, are already available in fully or at least partially bio-based forms. Mitsubishi Chemical produces polycarbonate (PC) from glucose, i.e. dextrose. PC is the basic material for smartphone cases, earphones, protective helmets and even car radiator grilles. The Japanese-American company Polyplastics develops ‘carbon-negative’ polyoxymethylene (POM) from fermented biomass, or rather carbon dioxide and hydrogen: POM is used for injection-moulded parts of all kinds.

ABS is the best-selling engineering plastic

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene currently dominates the market for engineering plastics by a wide margin: ABS alone accounts for around 41 percent of global demand. Typical ABS products include automotive door panels, electrical enclosures, films, pipes and covers, as well as shower heads, toys, and sports and leisure products. ABS is mainly used in the automotive sector, for electrics and electronics, and, to a lesser extent, in the construction industry and for household goods. Currently, consumer, electrical, and electronic products are the largest sales markets for technical plastics. However, Ceresana expects that another application area will achieve the highest growth rates in the coming years: the automotive industry. By contrast, demand from the construction industry is expected to weaken. The new market report by Ceresana, now in its fifth year, offers comprehensive consumption, revenue, production, and trade figures for the entire global market for technical plastics, as well as demand for the various types of plastics and their applications.

(ID:50355760)