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Ohio opts for FRP bridge decks
industry news
Auto plastics rely on product innovation
Dow forecasts growth for epoxies in 2002
RESIN SUPPLIERS, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and processors must continue to introduce innovative products and technologies to further drive the development of new applications for engineering plastics in the European automotive market, according to a new study from Frost and Sullivan. Developing technologies that are credible alternatives to traditional materials such as metal and glass can be expected to open up new market opportunities. Lower growth is predicted for engineering plastics in the automotive industry during the period 2001-2007 because of the downturn in European car production and also as a result of the growing market maturity for plastics in a number of important automotive applications. Car producers will how-ever continue to strive for lower costs,
DESPITE this year’s high raw material costs and a slow global economy, Dow Chemical foresees a rebound for epoxy products next year. “The situation has changed considerably since the beglnning of the year,” says Phil Cook, business vice president for epoxy products and intermediates at Dow, Midland, Michigan, USA. “Raw material costs have somewhat stabilized, and there is increasing confldence that we have or will soon pass the bottom of the business cycle. By the second half of 2002, we should begin to see a resurgence in growth around the world.” According to Cook, the largest growth will occur in Asia Pacific as companies in countries such as China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan invest more heavily in developing technologies. A significant portion of the epoxies Dow sells in Asia Pacific is used in electron-
Share of total European market revenues (2000).
weight reduction and fuel economy, while at the same time introducing more comfort and safety features into their products. These requirements, combined with technological innovation, are expected to drive the development of new applications for engineering plastics in passenger cars. Use of plastics in electrical and lighting systems and underthe-bonnet applications will show the fastest growth rates, whilst the market shares for both interior and exterior plastics will fall. Frost & Sullivan; e-mail: bill.st&ger@@-europe.com.
Legislation fuels growth in FR products NEW FIRE safety standards and environmental regulations will mean further growth in the European flame retardant (FR) chemicals market. According to a new study from Frost ST Sullivan, demand for more environmentally acceptable materials will also increase, representing one of the biggest challenges for producers of flame retardants. Plastics is the largest market for flame retardant chemicals, representing over 80% of unit shipments. I2
REIWORCWplastics
In 2000 the study says the European market for flame retardants was worth around US$SO!9.5 mllllon and by 2007 it is predicted revenues will reach $67 1.7 million. Price competition is fierce, and increasing competition from the Far East is exacerbating over capacity. The report recommends that producers develop new strategies to meet growing price competition and to limit product switching by customers. Frost &I Sullivan; e-mail: [email protected].
November
2001
ics applications such as printed circuit boards and electrical laminates. The company says it is now also beginning to see widespread use of epoxies in other industries in the region, including industrial and automotive coatings and structural composites. Recent developments at Dow include the commercialits Derakane ization of Momentum epoxy vinyl ester resins for composite applications, which provide processing improvements over its traditional Derakane products. The company has also been investing in production facilities. In January, it acquired 80% of Pacific Epoxy Co Ltd of South Korea, which can produce around 3000 tonnes of converted epoxy resins per year, and in June, it started construction of a new 40 000 tonne/year converted epoxy resins production unit in China. Dow; website: www.dowcom.
Ohio opts for FRP bridge decks AN AGREEMENT between Martin Marietta Composites (MMC) and two Ohio organizations will lead to the construction six new composite bridge decks in the county. Under the strategic partnership with the National Composite Centre (NCC) of Dayton and the Ohio County Engineers Association, MMC will provide deck products and engineering capability while NCC will provide management and a formal monitoring programme for the projects. MMC will be
assembling its DuraSpanTM composite decks at a new production site to be established in the Dayton area. The DuraSpan flbre reinforced plastic (FRP) bridge decks are said to be 20% the weight of a comparable concrete slab and have greater durability with lower fatigue. MMC successfully has already installed its composite decks h-r several US states, and further projects are ln progress. Martin Marietta Materials; greg.solomon@martine-mail: mariethcom.
Auto plastics rely on product innovation
Dow forecasts growth for epoxies in 2002
RESIN SUPPLIERS, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and processors must continue to introduce innovative products and technologies to further drive the development of new applications for engineering plastics in the European automotive market, according to a new study from Frost and Sullivan. Developing technologies that are credible alternatives to traditional materials such as metal and glass can be expected to open up new market opportunities. Lower growth is predicted for engineering plastics in the automotive industry during the period 2001-2007 because of the downturn in European car production and also as a result of the growing market maturity for plastics in a number of important automotive applications. Car producers will how-ever continue to strive for lower costs,
DESPITE this year’s high raw material costs and a slow global economy, Dow Chemical foresees a rebound for epoxy products next year. “The situation has changed considerably since the beglnning of the year,” says Phil Cook, business vice president for epoxy products and intermediates at Dow, Midland, Michigan, USA. “Raw material costs have somewhat stabilized, and there is increasing confldence that we have or will soon pass the bottom of the business cycle. By the second half of 2002, we should begin to see a resurgence in growth around the world.” According to Cook, the largest growth will occur in Asia Pacific as companies in countries such as China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan invest more heavily in developing technologies. A significant portion of the epoxies Dow sells in Asia Pacific is used in electron-
Share of total European market revenues (2000).
weight reduction and fuel economy, while at the same time introducing more comfort and safety features into their products. These requirements, combined with technological innovation, are expected to drive the development of new applications for engineering plastics in passenger cars. Use of plastics in electrical and lighting systems and underthe-bonnet applications will show the fastest growth rates, whilst the market shares for both interior and exterior plastics will fall. Frost & Sullivan; e-mail: bill.st&ger@@-europe.com.
Legislation fuels growth in FR products NEW FIRE safety standards and environmental regulations will mean further growth in the European flame retardant (FR) chemicals market. According to a new study from Frost ST Sullivan, demand for more environmentally acceptable materials will also increase, representing one of the biggest challenges for producers of flame retardants. Plastics is the largest market for flame retardant chemicals, representing over 80% of unit shipments. I2
REIWORCWplastics
In 2000 the study says the European market for flame retardants was worth around US$SO!9.5 mllllon and by 2007 it is predicted revenues will reach $67 1.7 million. Price competition is fierce, and increasing competition from the Far East is exacerbating over capacity. The report recommends that producers develop new strategies to meet growing price competition and to limit product switching by customers. Frost &I Sullivan; e-mail: [email protected].
November
2001
ics applications such as printed circuit boards and electrical laminates. The company says it is now also beginning to see widespread use of epoxies in other industries in the region, including industrial and automotive coatings and structural composites. Recent developments at Dow include the commercialits Derakane ization of Momentum epoxy vinyl ester resins for composite applications, which provide processing improvements over its traditional Derakane products. The company has also been investing in production facilities. In January, it acquired 80% of Pacific Epoxy Co Ltd of South Korea, which can produce around 3000 tonnes of converted epoxy resins per year, and in June, it started construction of a new 40 000 tonne/year converted epoxy resins production unit in China. Dow; website: www.dowcom.
Ohio opts for FRP bridge decks AN AGREEMENT between Martin Marietta Composites (MMC) and two Ohio organizations will lead to the construction six new composite bridge decks in the county. Under the strategic partnership with the National Composite Centre (NCC) of Dayton and the Ohio County Engineers Association, MMC will provide deck products and engineering capability while NCC will provide management and a formal monitoring programme for the projects. MMC will be
assembling its DuraSpanTM composite decks at a new production site to be established in the Dayton area. The DuraSpan flbre reinforced plastic (FRP) bridge decks are said to be 20% the weight of a comparable concrete slab and have greater durability with lower fatigue. MMC successfully has already installed its composite decks h-r several US states, and further projects are ln progress. Martin Marietta Materials; greg.solomon@martine-mail: mariethcom.