Abstract
Plastic Containers
Demand to exceed 200 billion units in 2010
US plastic container demand is expected to exceed 200 billion units in 2010,
consuming nearly 15 billion pounds of plastic resins. Demand will be supported
by the inherent advantages of plastics in comparison to other packaging
materials, including light weight, low cost, design flexibility, strength,
shatter resistance, favorable barrier properties and clarity.
PET to surpass HDPE as leading resin
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) will emerge as the dominant plastic container
resin type in 2010, benefitting from PET's widespread usage in the large
carbonated soft drinks and bottled water markets. Further enhancements to
PET's barrier properties will expand this resin's presence in other beverage
markets, including beer. High density polyethylene (HDPE), historically the
leading container resin, will be the second largest resin used in plastic
containers in terms of poundage. Heightened competition from PET and other
resins will restrain HDPE growth, as will maturity in certain markets such as
milk, fruit beverages and household chemicals where HDPE is used to a large
extent. Through 2010, polypropylene will be the fastest growing resin, driven
by ongoing development of grades offering a clarity approaching that of PET.
In addition, advanced clarifiers used in manufacturing containers from this
resin can substantially boost processing speeds, eventually enabling
polypropylene to compete in the highvolume bottle production now dominated by
PET.
View Cart
