Engineering Plastics in China

Report Highlights

• The Chinese engineering plastics market is estimated at 4.386 million tons in 2005 and is forecast to rise at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 8.9% to 6.73 million tons in 2010.
• Domestic output only will be about 1.26 million tons in 2005, with self-sufficiency being less than 28.7%. China has become the largest importer of engineering plastics.
• The auto and electronic and electrical appliance industries are the major end users. Growth rates were greater than 20% between 2002 and 2004.
• During the same period, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of more than 8%, and in the first half of 2005, it rose 9.5%.

INTRODUCTION

While rapid economic development in China has led to a corresponding increase in the use of engineering plastics, the industry in China still is in its primary stages and suffers from low production levels, small production devices and limited varieties. Currently, users of PC, POM, mPPO and ABS mainly depend on imports.

China has placed this industry high on its development agenda for the next decade. Improving and elevating China’s engineering plastics industry will require greater technology transfer from foreign companies to their Chinese partners, and also a need huge foreign investment.

This BCC report presents a detailed analysis of the current and future engineering plastics markets in China. The country is a huge potential market, competitor or partner. It has the potential to be a large consumer and a hub in the global engineering marketplace, as well as a provider of opportunities for research, due to its relatively low R&D expense levels.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• An overview of the engineering plastics industry, including its history and importance to the plastics market
• Analysis of the Chinese market by production, import and export, consumption and participants, with forecasts to 2010, in the following segments:
      - polyamides (PA or nylon)
      - polycarbonates (PC)
      - polyoxymethylene (POM)
      - engineering thermoplastic polyesters (PBT and PET)
      - modified polyphenylene oxides (mPPO)
      - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
• Analysis of major end-user industries, such as auto and electronics/electrical with forecasts to 2010
• A technology and patent analysis
• Profiles of major manufacturers.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The material presented is based on extensive reviews of secondary sources, such as technical papers, industry conferences, trade publications, industry associations, company literature, and government data, such as customs statistics and auto industry yearbooks. Final analyses and projections are based on a consensus of secondary sources combined with Communication Co.'s (BCC's) understanding of the impact of trends from a historical perspective. All dollar data presented in this report are based on the exchange rate of: U.S. $1 = RMB 8.27 (Yuan).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Baijun Li is a Research Analyst covering Advanced Materials, Environmental Protection and Auto Components. Mr. Li is an independent consultant in China and has worked with BCC for 5 years. He has authored technical market reports on magnetic materials, environmental protection and auto components. With over 12 years of research and experience in China, Mr. Li has assisted in numerous consulting studies: market opportunity analysis, market profiles and sizing, competitive intelligence, market feasibility and market entry. B.S., Materials Science, Shanghai Jiaotong University; Securities Investment Consultant, Certificated by China Securities Association.