Abstract
Demand projected to reach 16 billion pounds by 2010
Injection molded plastic demand in the US is projected to grow 2.8 percent per
year to 16 billion pounds in 2010, with a value of $14.7 billion (resin
content only). Advances will be driven by the versatility and cost efficiency
of the injection molding process, as well as diverse opportunities in
electrical and electronic, packaging and consumer applications. Additional
stimulants include resin and machinery improvements that will enhance
performance, quality and throughput. Polypropylene (PP) will present the best
opportunities, with healthy advances anticipated for electrical and electronic
and packaging markets.
Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester fastest growing
Injection molded polypropylene demand growth will be based on cost advantages
and improvements in melt strength and clarity. Rapid advances in applications
such as food cups and containers will reflect cost and processing advantages
over other resins such as HDPE and polystyrene. Polypropylene's ability to
produce components with highly accurate shapes and sizes and smooth surfaces
will further boost demand in uses such as caps and closures, appliance
components, and toy and recreational products. Injection molded high density
polyethylene demand will rise at an above-average pace through 2010, driven by
industrial packaging applications such as shipping pails, and totes and
crates. Advances will reflect rebounding industrial activity and export
markets.
Injection molded polystyrene demand will expand slowly through 2010 as a
result of cost and performance disadvantages compared to polypropylene, high
density polyethylene and polycarbonate. Nonetheless, opportunities are
anticipated in the electrical and electronic sector in products such as
printers, computers and other electronic housings and components. Best growth
is expected for injection molded thermoplastic polyester and polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate advances will reflect renewed growth in the electrical and
electronics sector, while thermoplastic polyester growth will result from heat
and chemical resistance properties.
Packaging, consumer to remain dominant markets
Most injection molding markets are mature, with resin growth dependent on
intramaterial competition. Packaging and consumer uses, the two leading
markets, together accounted for nearly two-thirds of demand in 2005. Other
notable markets include motor vehicles and electrical and electronics. Motor
vehicle markets will expand slowly, but will still exceed anticipated growth
in motor vehicle production. Further injection molded plastic advances will be
constrained by slow growth in mature segments such as appliances, furniture,
and toys and recreational items, as well as growing product imports from lower
cost offshore producers.
Study coverage
Details on these and other findings are contained in Injection Molded
Plastics, a new Freedonia industry study. It presents historical US demand
data plus forecasts to 2010 and 2015 by resin and market. In addition, this
study evaluates company market share data and profiles 42 US industry
competitors.
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