NTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of polymer alloys/blend
with special emphasis on its competition with other ETPs, upgraded commodity
resins, thermoset resins and others.
REASONS FOR THIS STUDY
Traditional studies on polymer alloys/blends usually do not cover the
competitive scenario in detail. There is a need to evaluate the impact of these
resins in terms of existent and forecast market penetration in its major
industries utilizing these types of resins, e.g., automotive, electronic
components, electronic enclosures, appliances, medical, lawn/garden equipment,
sports/recreation products, etc.
In many instances, alloy/blend components compete with the alloys/blends
themselves, while in other instances, competitive products are those with no
alloy/blend components. For example, in the first case, ABS competes with
PC/ABS; in the second example, thermoset polyesters compete against PC/ABS.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
There are several definitions of polymer alloys/blends, commodity
thermoplastics, thermosets, etc. In this report, polymer alloys/blends include
any combination of two resins physically alloyed or blended; engineering resins
include traditional varieties such as nylons, polycarbonates, polyacetals, and
reinforced PET and PBT. Higher performance ETPs include polysulfones, PPS,
polyimides, polyketones, liquid crystal polymers, etc.
Commodity thermoplastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl
chloride, polystyrene and the advanced styrenics led by ABS, high-impact
polystyrene, SMA, etc. Thermosets include unsaturated polyesters (often called
thermoset polyesters), phenolics, vinyl esters, etc. Other thermosets involved
in these markets include mostly polyurethanes, while several thermoplastic
elastomers are also involved.
This report also covers the polymer alloy/blend competitive scene, and in
order to analyze these markets, tables and analyses will be provided for
competitive resins as well for each major application. The definition of a
polymer alloy/blend "competitive" material in this report is based on
its possible replacement by an alloy/blend. This scenario goes both ways in that
these materials could also replace current alloy/blend usage.
There are resins which alloys/blends will not replace or vice versa and these
are excluded from the analysis. As a result, it is important to keep in mind
that the alloy/blend competitive resins do not represent total markets for a
given application.
As one example, there are certain thermoset polyester applications in auto
exteriors that will not be replaced by alloys/blends in the foreseeable future
and are thus excluded from the analysis.
METHODOLOGY
A comprehensive review was undertaken of literature relating to polymer
alloys/blends, their applications and technology, and significant new
developments. Included in the review were supplier trade literature, texts and
monographs.
Following collection and analysis of this information unresolved issues were
discussed with many within the industry.
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