Additives for Plastics

Report Highlights

• Plastic additives encompass a wide variety of materials added to plastic resins in order to enhance the quality of these resins. The materials can be classified as modifiers, property extenders, and processing aids. A complete list of these additives indicates the 32 types of additives that are used commercially.
• The consumption level of plastic additives follows the consumption level of plastic resins. Plastic resin production in the U.S. was 29.1 billion lb. in 1973, 59.7 billion lb. in 1988, and 100.9 billion lb. in 2000 — a growth rate of 4.7% annually during 27 years. This type of growth parallels the consumption level of additives, although the use of some additive types is growing more rapidly than others.
• U.S. additives sales expected to grow at 3.5% annually to reach $5.5 billion in 2005. World markets for these additives are 35% in Asia, 28% in North America, 25% in Europe, and the rest of the world at the remaining 12%. These figures indicate that the world market for these additives in 2000 has a value of about $16.4 billion.

INTRODUCTION

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT

The study presents a detailed view of market size, growth, and trends for the industry. Covered in this report are additives that are used in the largest amounts: plasticizers, flame retardants, heat stabilizers, impact modifiers, lubricants, antioxidants, peroxide catalysts, UV light stabilizers, polyurethane catalyst, and blowing agents. Significant technological trends and developments are identified and analyzed. The structure of the industry is addressed, including profiles of the major suppliers. 

REASONS FOR PUBLISHING THE REPORT

This rapidly changing industry is evolving in technological content and structure. The report presents a snapshot of the current technical and climate to permit and aid in strategic planning of company operations. The additive industry is part of the overall plastics industry, and this report also describes trends in plastic resin markets.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE REPORT AND FOR WHOM

The report provides in-depth information and technological evaluations for decision-making by those in, or considering becoming involved in the supply of plastic additives to the plastics industry. The study can assist clients in strategic planning, technology analysis, commercial development of new products, and analysis of competitors' strategies, strengths, weaknesses, pricing, market share, and profitability.

SCOPE AND FORMAT OF THE REPORT

This report analyzes the current (as of this printing) products, applications, technology, and industry structure in the supply of plastic additives. The format of this report is to state all values, projections, and forecasts in terms of constant dollars.

METHODOLOGY

The background research consisted of a thorough analysis of trade, government, and company literature, as well as an analysis of the extensive information in Communication Co.'s (BCC) database. An extensive series of personal and telephone interviews with key executives and officials in industry trade associations and government followed the background work.

BCC CREDENTIALS

The author of this report has worked on many assignments dealing with the supply of technologically advanced materials to industry, and has analytical familiarity with many of the important issues influencing the supply of plastics additives. In addition, BCC has published numerous reports to provide background in this study.