Modest growth for US engineering resins

Modest growth for US engineering resins

INDUSTRY News Eurotec selects European distributor Ashland Distribution, a division of Ashland Inc. has concluded a deal with Eurotec® Engineering P...

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Eurotec selects European distributor Ashland Distribution, a division of Ashland Inc. has concluded a deal with Eurotec® Engineering Plastics of Corlu, Turkey, to distribute its polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) compounds and blends in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Benelux and Poland. With a network of warehouses in key markets throughout the European region, Ashland Distribution is a leading distributor of products and services to the

plastics processing industry, and features a broad range of engineering thermoplastics. “We are very excited to bring Eurotec Engineering Plastics to our customers in these geographic markets,” said Gianpaolo Armando, commercial director for Ashland Distribution’s European operations. “This agreement expands our product offerings and the range of solutions in engineering thermoplastics that we can provide to our customers. With Eurotec’s location,

central to the growing markets in central Eastern Europe, and our strategic network of warehouses, we are well positioned to support the everincreasing growth and demand of our customers, and their customers, across the region.” Eurotec, a privately held company, was incorporated in 2004 in the European Free Zone in Corlu, Turkey. With a current annual production capacity of 14,000 tonnes, the company has planned its factory infrastructure to reach an annual production capacity

of 25,000 tonnes. Eurotec manufactures Tecomid®, Tecodur® and Tecopet® brands of PA, PBT and PET compounds and blends that are primarily used in automotive, construction, and home appliances and furnishings manufacturing. More than 50 per cent of the company’s production is used in markets outside of Turkey (mainly in the European, Middle East, Asian and African regions). Contact: Ashland Website: www.ashland.com

Modest growth for US engineering resins According to a new technical market research report, Engineering Resins, Polymer Alloys and Blends from BCC Research, the North American market for engineering resins and polymer alloys/blends reached 1.5 billion kg (3.3 billion pounds) in 2007. This is expected to increase to 1.54 billion kg (3.4 billion pounds) in 2008 and reach more than 1.77 billion kg (3.9 billion pounds) in 2013, for a

compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 per cent. The market is broken down into polycarbonates, nylons, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetals, polycarbonate acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene alloy/blends (PC/ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide, high-impact polystyrene (PPO/ HIPS) and others. Of these, polycarbonates have the largest share of the market, with 402

million kg (887 million pounds) in 2007. This is expected to increase to 414 million kg (912 million pounds) in 2008 and 500 million kg (1.1 billion pounds) in 2013, a CAGR of 3.1 per cent. BCC Research adds that the second largest segment is nylons, with 363 million kg (801 million pounds) used in 2007 and an estimated 374 million kg (825 million pounds) in 2008. This should increase to 433 million kg (954 million pounds) in 2013

Table 1: Projected North American Engineering resin – Polymer alloy/blend market by resin type, through 2013 in million kg (million lbs) Source: BCC Research Resin

2007

2008

2013

CAGR% 2008–2013

Polycarbonates

402 (887)

417 (912)

481 (1,061)

3.1

Nylons

363 (801)

374 (825)

433 (954)

2.9

PBTs

186 (410)

192 (423)

225 (495)

3.2

Polyacetals

136 (300)

141 (310)

162 (357)

2.9

PC/ABS

122 (270)

126 (278)

146 (321)

2.9

PET

91 (200)

94 (208)

116 (255)

4.2

PPO/HIPS

68 (150)

69 (153)

77 (170)

2.1

Other

125 (276)

129 (284)

153 (337)

3.5

Total

1,494 (3,294)

1,539 (3,393)

1,792 (3,950)

3.1

Plastics Additives & Compounding November/December 2008

4

for a CAGR of 3.0 per cent. PBT is the third largest material by volume, with 186 million kg (410 million pounds) used in 2007. This is expected to increase to 192 million kg (423 million pounds) in 2008 and nearly 227 million kg (500 million pounds) in 2013, a CAGR of 3.2 per cent. According to the report, the modest growth rates for the industry are the result of a slowed economy that shows no signs of relief in the near term. Although medical and electric/electronic applications are expected to show solid growth over the next five years, both the automotive and housing markets will need some time for any sort of recovery. Opposing forces are at play in the market. The obvious drive towards more stringent resin requirements in many industries is offset by the need to use the cheapest resin appropriate for a specific application, especially with the recent escalation of resin prices. Contact: BCC Research Website: www.bccresearch.com