Polymer
Additives Market
Although used at only about 5-7% in terms of
weight or about 10% by cost, these additives
provide immense benefits and have
contributed to the success of plastics.
Introduction
Plastic additives are chemicals added
to the base polymers to improve the
properties and processability of the
polymer. Plastic additives are combined
with a base polymer to perform
a number of different functions. Additives
can be used to prevent degradation
of the polymer during processing,
to protect against environmental
influences and to enhance the physical
properties of the polymer. Additives
are an integral part of plastics
and contribute to the success of plastics
not only in processability, but also
in property modification as well as
performance. Plastics would not have
been able to deliver their performance
without the addition of these chemicals
known as “Polymer Additives”.
Although used at only about 5-7% in
terms of weight or about 10% by cost,
these additives provide immense benefits
and have contributed to the success
of plastics. Plastic additives are
segmented by the functions they perform
rather than their product chemistry.
The polymer additive market can be
segmented as below:
* Plasticisers
* Flame retardants
* Heat stabilizers
* Antioxidants
* Light stabilizers
* Modifiers (Impact modifier, Nucleating
Agents etc.)
* Processing Aids
The plastic additives industry is
long-established, having developed
alongside the plastics industry itself.
The pace of technological change in
many parts of the plastic additives
market is relatively slow, although
new products are being developed in
response to environmental and health
concerns about some of the traditional
plastic additives. Many types of additives
are used in all plastics, from
commodity plastics to engineering
polymers. Plasticisers represent
around 60% of plastic additive unit
shipments. Flame retardants, heat stabilizers,
and antioxidants account for
24% of unit shipments – extensively
used in PVC. Processing aids account
for nearly 7% of the global market
while the rest is divided among the
modifiers.
Global Market Scenario
The global polymer additive market was
estimated at approximately 9.5 million
tonnes during 2004 in terms of shipments
and $18-$19 billion in terms of
revenue. Additive business in recent
years has emerged as a major segment
of value added specialty chemistry. Indian
polymer additives market has continued
to grow at a rate above the polymer
growth in the country. North
America, Europe, China, and the rest of
the Asia-Pacific region consumed 21 to
23% of additives by volume, with the
remainder going to India, South
America, the Mid-East, Africa, and
Eastern European countries. Overall, the
additives market is expected to grow at
4.0 percent AAGR from 2004 to 2009.
While Europe, North America and Asia-
Pacific (excluding China) are growing
at about 3%, China is predicted to grow
at 8-10%. Global players expect India
to be the next major market after China
and the market here is estimated to grow
at 12% CAGR over the next few years.
This remarkable growth rate is due to
expanding plastics markets, particularly
in the Asia/Pacific region; higher expectations
for the performance and durability
of polyolefins and engineered resins;
and continuing replacement of with
....contd.
TO
READ FURTHER... SUBSCRIBE TO
YOUR COPY TODAY!!!
