 |
|
|
|
Plastics and rubber industry 
| Natural
rubber consumption 2008, in 1,000 tonnes |
|
| Europe: |
1444 |
| America: |
1741 |
| Asia/Pacific: |
6453 |
| Africa: |
112 |
|
|
| Synthetic
rubber consumption, in 1,000 tonnes |
|
| Europe: |
3291 |
| America: |
2787 |
| Asia/Pacific: |
6255 |
| Africa: |
105 |
|
|
| Consumption
of plastics by application |
|
| Europe: |
|
| Packaging |
37% |
| Construction: |
21% |
| Automotive: |
8% |
| Electrical/electronics: |
6% |
|
|
| Sales
of plastics |
|
| worldwide: |
€ 300 bn |
|
|
| Employees
in plastics |
|
| Worldwide: |
|
| Europe: |
1,600,000 |
| Germany: |
396,000 |
Growth
markets for sales/production China- Largest growth market
- High demand in the construction and
building sector and for household applications
- Expansion of manufacturing in the
country, to achieve greater independence from imports
Russia- Strong growth because of increasing demand from the packaging and construction industries
- Substitution of traditional packaging material like paper, wood or metal by plastics products
- In the long run, automotive industry will increase capacities
- Demand is also increasing in the pharmaceuticals and domestic appliances industries
- Still very dependent on imports
- High need to modernize domestic plants
India- By 2010 will be third-largest market for plastics
- Demand in customer segments is rising:
- Packaging and food industry
- Electronics industry
- Domestic appliances
- Medical technology and pharmaceuticals industry
Opportunities
in established markets USA, Western Europe, Japan- Packaging in the food industry is relatively independent of crisis
- Substitution of traditional packaging materials by plastic
- Growth in medical technology and pharmaceuticals
- More technical plastics for automotive and electronics industries (lightweight construction)
Technology
trends- Recycling
- 100% recycling of waste
- Bioplastics (compostible
- Polytronics – bendable plastic chips
- Manufacturing under clean-room conditions for medical applications
- Replacement for the disputed PVC plasticizer DEHP
Commercial
trends- Plastics products for medical technology,
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics are gaining significance
- More packaging made of plastic
- Lighter weight
- Recyclable
Sources: VDMA Kunststoff- und Gummimaschinen, GKV, PlasticsEurope,
International Rubber Study Group |
|
|
|
Services
|
| |
Robotics & Automation Report
The free Robotics & Automation Report offers information on the
current topics from the areas of automation, economics and
technology. |
|
|
Home
Print page
Send page as e-mail
back
top
more
