Rigid Transparent Plastics: North American Markets
Report Highlights
The North American market for rigid transparent plastics should grow from 4.7 billion pounds by volume in 2018 to 6.1 billion pounds in 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2018 through 2023.
Report Includes
- 42 data tables and 19 additional tables
- Industry analysis of rigid transparent plastics in terms of current and forecast usage
- Analyses of global market trends with data from 2017 and 2018, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2023
- Coverage of rigid, clear, non-packaging plastic products, including injection-molded, non-film extrusion and thermoformed and cast sheet plastics
- Insight into new developments in clear plastics, their expanded usage in existing and new applications, and competition between polymers exhibiting optical clarity
- Identification of the market’s dynamics, specifically growth drivers, inhibitors and opportunities
- Qualitative data covering major producers and suppliers and trade-named products
- Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry, including DSM Engineering Plastics, DuPont Inc., BASF SE, PPG Industries Inc., Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics and Total Petrochemicals USA
Report Scope
Use of the terms transparent and clear is subjective. Most definitions of the terms express the clarity of plastics by the percentage of light transmission as defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Test D-1003. Light transmission percentages above 85 are generally accepted as transparent, although many suppliers claim clear grades with percentages of 80 or lower, making the distinction between transparent and translucent unclear. When referring to plastics and resins, the terms transparent and clear are used synonymously in this report.
Clear rigid plastics are commercially available in many forms, including injection-molded, extruded, blow-molded and thermoformed. Many clear extruded products are converted to clear films. The uses for these films are varied and include commodity, specialty, coextruded, food and medical packaging. Packaging markets such as healthcare and food are not addressed in this report. Blow-molded clear plastics are hollow, and most are converted to bottles or containers. Thermoformed plastics are similar to injection-molded plastics but are generally thinner and require less equipment and capital outlay.
This report covers rigid, clear, non-packaging plastic products, which include injection-molded, non-film extrusion and some thermoformed (including cast sheet) plastics. Flexible and hollow thin plastics, including films, are not covered in this report. The clear resins covered in this report are: acrylics, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, styrene block copolymers (SBCs), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polysulfones, thermoplastic polyesters (almost exclusively polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), polypropylene, acrylic-styrene copolymers (SMMAs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, cellulosic resins, cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), and allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC) (for optical applications).
Major applications of these rigid transparent plastics include: medical, electronic, automotive, building and construction (glazing, lighting lenses, signs, and displays), housewares, appliances, toys, optical lenses, and aircraft transparencies.
Analyst Credentials
Andrew McWilliams spent more than 25 years as a consultant with Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company and A.T. Kearny focused on manufacturing before segueing into research analysis. He has been covering myriad technology categories for BCC Research for more than 15 years. McWilliams has a BA from Princeton University and an MA from Harvard University. He has worked in more than 40 countries and he resides in the greater Boston area.
Report Highlights
The North American transparent plastics market should reach 5.6 billion pounds by 2022 from 4.5 billion pounds in 2017 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%, from 2017 to 2022.
Report Includes
- An overview of the global market for rigid transparent plastics.
- Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2016, estimates for 2017, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022.
- Coverage of new developments in clear plastics, their expanded usage in existing and new applications, and competition between polymers exhibiting optical clarity.
- Information on major applications for rigid transparent plastics, in addition to medical, electronic, and automotive markets, which include building/construction (glazing, lighting lenses, signs/displays), housewares, appliances, toys, optical lenses, and aircraft transparencies.
- Evaluation of the market's dynamics, specifically growth drivers, inhibitors, and opportunities.
- Profiles of major players in the industry.
Report Highlights
The North American market for rigid transparent plastics reached nearly 4.0 billion pounds in 2014 and is expected to reach 4.1 billion pounds in 2015. This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% to nearly 4.9 billion pounds for the period 2015-2020.
Report Includes
- An overview of the global market for rigid transparent plastics.
- Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2014, estimates for 2015, and projections of CAGRs through 2020.
- Coverage of new developments in clear plastics, their expanded usage in existing and new applications, and competition between polymers exhibiting optical clarity.
- Information on major applications for rigid transparent plastics, in addition to medical, electronic, and automotive markets, which include: building/construction (glazing, lighting lenses, signs/displays), housewares, appliances, toys, optical lenses, and aircraft transparencies.
Report Highlights
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The North American transparent plastics market is estimated at more than 3.3 billion pounds in 2010, and is expected to reach 4 billion pounds by 2015, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.
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Clear polycarbonate consumption is estimated at 950 million pounds in 2010 and is expected to increase at a 4.1% a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach 1.2 billion pounds in 2015, led by automotive, medical, and electronics applications.
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The acrylic transparent market is valued at 866 million pounds in 2010 and is expected to reach more than 1 billion pounds by 2015, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. Building/construction applications account for almost 60% of total volume, but the electronic segment will show the largest growth.
Report Highlights
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The North American rigid transparent plastics market will reach almost 3.6 billion pounds in 2011. Polycarbonates, acrylics, and polystyrenes accounted for about 80% of total volume in 2005 and will maintain their aggregate share through the end of the decade.
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The Building/Construction and Electronics segments account for slightly over 50% of total volume. Electronics, Optical Lenses, Medical and Automotive will show the highest growth rates. The Electronic market alone is forecast to comprise about 40% of the total transparent plastic volume increase from 2006 to 2011, which is being led by DVD and CD production.
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In terms of intra-plastic competition, optical clarity, impact resistance, and UV stability are considered to be the most important physical parameters for rigid transparent plastics. Comparative pricing is also a factor in many instances.
Report Highlights
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The North American transparent-plastics market is estimated at more than 2.3 billion pounds in 2001.
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This market is expected to climb at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 6% to more than 3.1 billion pounds by 2006.
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Polycarbonates, acrylics, and polystyrenes accounted for almost 80% of total volume in 2001 and will increase their share to 81% by 2006.
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Growth will be driven by electronic markets, especially CD and DVD markets, particularly rewritable CD versions that primarily use polycarbonates.