Abstract
US demand to grow 3% annually through 2011
Demand for plastic sheet in the US is projected to grow nearly 3.0 percent
yearly to 7.7 billion pounds in 2011, valued at $7.2 billion (resin content
only). Resins will account for 39 percent of the final product cost of $18.5
billion. Advances will be driven by growing demands for thermoformed cups,
tubs, trays and other packaging. Resin and technology improvements will also
aid sheet advances. Further growth will be constrained by the maturity of many
applications, and efforts to reduce the packaging waste stream. Polystyrene is
the leading resin, with best growth expected for polypropylene and polyester
sheet. Packaging will continue to dominate sheet applications, and provide the
best growth opportunities.
Polystyrene sheet to remain dominant; polypropylene sheet to grow the fastest
Polystyrene accounted for 55 percent of all plastic sheet demand in 2006. Good
opportunities are anticipated through 2011 based on cost and performance
advantages in the production of thermoformed cups, trays, lids and other
packaging. However, polypropylene will exhibit the fastest growth based on
continued advances in food trays, cups and related uses. Polyester sheet
advances will result from rapid growth in amorphous PET and PETG in frozen
food tray, clamshell and other uses. Demand for acrylic and polycarbonate
sheet will be buoyed by expanding glazing applications due to their light
weight and shatter resistance compared to glass.
Study coverage
It presents historical demand data (1996, 2001 and 2006) as well as forecasts
to 2011 and 2016 by resin (e.g., polystyrene, polyolefins, PVC, acrylic) and
market (e.g., packaging, construction, consumer). The study also considers the
outlook for the food and manufacturing industries, new technology, and foreign
trade. The industry structure presents market share data and profiles US
industry participants such as Lucite, Plaskolite, Primex Plastics, Sheffield
Plastics (Bayer) and Spartech.
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