INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
As plastic resins leave the reactor, they are neat polymers. Additional chemicals and other materials must be added to make them commercially useful. This process is defined as compounding, or the creation of a compound, a mixture. These additives include colorants, stabilizers, flame retardants, impact modifiers, plasticizers, and dozens of others, including fillers/reinforcements. Plastic compounding is accomplished by three groups of companies, namely resin producers, plastics processors (e.g., injection/blow molders and extruders), and independent compounders.
SCOPE OF THE REPORT
This report covers the major thermoplastic resins and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The resins include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, and engineering thermoplastics (ETPs): the major representatives being nylons, polycarbonates, polyacetals, PET, and PBT. This report also includes, for the first time, bio compounds: plastics that are made from plants instead of hydrocarbons.
The plastics compounding market is segmented by each of the above resins by volume and by each of the three plastics compounding groups for the years 2008, 2009, and 2014. Reasons are provided for estimates and forecasts. The major resin producers, key plastics processors, and independent compounders are identified, and activities, product lines, and estimated sales for the major independent compounders are provided.
The quantitative market information contained in this report pertains to North America. Other features in this report include the following:
- Review of key plastics additives used in plastics compounding
- Important information on major fillers/reinforcements
- Developments in carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes
- Advances in natural fibers
- Regulatory and environmental developments shaping compounds, ranging from phthalate plasticizers to halogenated flame retardants
- Key suppliers of plastics additives and fillers/reinforcements
- Review recent advances of plastics compounding machinery/ equipment
REASONS FOR DOING STUDY
Previous reports on plastics compounding have covered only part of the overall business. Either these reports dealt only with the independent compounders or provided the results of interviews with selected compounders, but none of them attempted to analyze the overall North American market. Importantly, this report is the first to address critical issues that will shape plastics compounding for the next five years: bio compounds, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, natural fiber reinforcements, and environmental regulations.
METHODOLOGY
Extensive searches were made of the literature, including the leading trade journals, technical papers, company literature, pertinent trade associations, etc.
In addition, interviews were conducted with resin producers and plastics compounders to try to verify consumption, company products, key applications, market trends, etc.
Definitions for many of the key acronyms used in this report can be found in the Appendix.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Research analyst, Doug Smock has been writing about plastics for 21 years, and has served as the editorial director of Plastics World, editorial director of Modern Mold and Tooling, and materials contributing editor for Design News Magazine. He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.
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DISCLAIMER
The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or its use.
Report Code: PLS018C, Published: September 2009, Analyst: Doug Smock
