Abstract
US demand to reach 4.2 billion pounds in 2011
US demand for reinforced plastics is projected to increase nearly three
percent yearly to 4.2 billion pounds in 2011, reaching $8.1 billion. This will
create a market for 2.8 billion pounds of resin and 1.4 billion pounds of
reinforcements. Advances will be promoted by material and technology
improvements that will enhance performance characteristics and make reinforced
plastics more competitive with metal. Glass fibers, due to their low cost and
good performance, will remain the leading reinforcement material, with
significantly faster growth anticipated for nanomaterials.
Reinforced thermosets to remain dominant type
Thermoset resins will remain the dominant reinforced plastic type through
2011. Demand will be fueled by cost and performance advantages in a broad
range of uses. Unsaturated polyester will continue as the leading reinforced
thermoset, accounting for 92 percent of all thermoset resins in 2011.
Thermoset resins are dominant because of their low cost, strength and
corrosion resistance. Niche opportunities are expected in areas such as bridge
decking, utility poles and wind turbine blades.
Reinforced thermoplastics to be fastest growing type
More rapid growth is expected for reinforced thermoplastics based on their
high performance, greater design freedom and easier processing. Polypropylene
will remain the dominant reinforced thermoplastic due to its low cost and
advantageous properties such as stiffness and dimensional stability.
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