The Plastics Compounding Market

Abstract

• Provides an in-depth analysis of the plastics compounding market
• Describes the major thermoplastic resins and thermoplastics elastomers
• Contains market forecasts for plastic compounding through 2014
• Introduces major resin producers, key plastic processors and independent compounders, and includes information on their activities, product lines and estimated sales
• Reviews key plastic additives used in plastic compounding and important information on major fillers/reinforcements.

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.

• 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

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.