Report Highlights
The estimated distribution of compounded thermoplastic resins in North America reached 89.82 billion pounds in 2012. This total is expected to grow 90.92 billion pounds in 2013 and 102.36 billion pounds in 2018 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4% for the period of 2013-2018.
Report Includes
- An overview of the plastics compounding market.
- Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2012, estimates for 2013, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2018.
- Coverage of the major thermoplastic resins and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs); the resins include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, and engineering thermoplastics (ETPs): the major representatives being nylons, polycarbonates, polyacetals, PET, and PBT; the report also includes bio compounds, or plastics that are made from plants instead of hydrocarbons.
- Identifications of major resin producers, key plastics processors, and independent compounders, along with activities, product lines, and estimated sales for the major independent compounders.
- Reviews of key plastics additives used in plastics compounding and advances in plastics compounding machinery/equipment.
- Information on major fillers/reinforcements.
- Developments in carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes, and advances in natural fibers.
SCOPE OF THE REPORT
This report covers the compounding of major thermoplastic resins. The high-volume commodity resins include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyesters (primarily PET). Engineering thermoplastics (ETPs) covered include PBT, nylons (polyamides), polycarbonates, ABS and some real specialties such as polyacetals and polysulfones. This report also includes an introduction to thermoplastic elastomers and some bio compounds, plastics that are made from plants instead of hydrocarbons.
The plastics compounding market is segmented by each of the above resins and by each of the three plastics compounding groups. Applications and markets by volume in pounds are estimated for the years 2012, 2013 and five-year forecast to 2018. Major resin producers, key plastics processors and independent compounders are identified. We discuss the activities, product lines and other information for the major independent compounders.
Our market estimates are mostly for markets for the United States or North America. Other features in this report include the following.
- Review of key plastics additives used in plastics compounding.
- Important information on major fillers/reinforcements.
- Developments in carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes for reinforcement of thermoplastics.
- Advances in natural fiber reinforcements.
- Regulatory and environmental developments shaping compounds, ranging from phthalate plasticizers to halogenated flame retardants.
- Key suppliers of plastics additives and fillers/reinforcements.
- Notes of some recent advances in plastics compounding and machinery.
Analyst Credentials
Dr. J. Charles Forman has been a research analyst for BCC Research covering polymers and chemicals for more than two decades. His work in the industry includes 21 years at Abbott Laboratories in R&D and manufacturing management. Dr. Forman has researched and written more than 70 multi-client market research reports on a variety of subjects, ranging from building construction materials and spectroscopy to several studies on plastic packaging. He holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University, all in chemical engineering. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
Report Highlights
- The North American market distributed 98 billion pounds of plastic compounds in 2008. The market decreased to an estimated 91 billion pounds in 2009, but is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% to 107 billion pounds in 2014.
- The largest segment of the market, resin producers, distributed 64 billion pounds in 2008. It decreased to an estimated 60 billion pounds in 2009, but is projected to increase at a CAGR of 3.3% to 71 billion pounds in 2014.
- The processors segment distributed 21 billion pounds in 2008. That figure was expected to decrease to 20 billion in 2009, but was expected to grow to more than 23 billion pounds in 2014, for a 5-year CAGR of 3.4%.
Report Highlights
-
In viewing the entire thermoplastic market, the resin producers account for the majority of the compounding activity (producing around 44.585 billion pounds in 2006), followed by plastic processors (12.964 billion pounds) and independent compounders (8.173 billion pounds). Independent compounders, though, will show the highest average annual growth rate (AAGR) at 5.3%.
-
When viewing this market by the individual thermoplastics covered in this report, these ratios can be vastly different. For example, the major polyethylene variants, HDPE, LDPE and LLDPE along with polystyrene are compounded mostly by resin producers, while PVC is compounded mostly by processors.
-
There are several key trends within the plastic compounding business which will take some time to become significant. They are: forward integration of resin producers into compounding; increased backward integration of large plastic processors into compounding; increased specialization of independent compounders; continued movement of compounding production.
Related Reports
Engineering Resins, Polymer Alloys and Blends: Global Markets
The global market for engineering resins, and polymer alloys and blends was estimated at more than 22 billion pounds in 2012, is projected to increase to 23 billion pounds in 2013, and to 28.6 billion pounds by 2018 after increasing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%.
Global Markets for Plastics Additives
The total market for plastics additives is projected to increase from $39.6 billion in 2011, to $41.3 billion in 2012, to more than $43.1 billion in 2013, and to nearly $54.7 billion in 2018 yielding a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% for a period of five years, from 2013 to 2018.
Thermoformed Plastics: Technologies and Global Markets
The global market for thermoformed plastic products was 6.8 billion pounds in 2011, and consumption is expected to increase from 7.0 billion pounds in 2012 to 8.5 billion pounds by 2017, a 4.0% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Plastics for Barrier Packaging
The U.S. barrier packaging market totaled 8.1 billion lbs in 2011 and should grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5% over the next five years reaching 8.7 billion lbs in 2016.
Recent Reports
Sustainable Packaging: Global Markets
The global market for sustainable packaging is estimated to increase from $278.1 billion in 2023 to reach $391.1 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2024 through 2029.
Sustainable Plastic Packaging: Global Markets
The global market for sustainable plastic packaging was valued at $81.6 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from $86.6 billion in 2024 to $122.4 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 7.2% from 2024 to 2029.
Recycled Plastics in Construction Market
This report offers a qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of recycled plastics in the construction market. The quantitative analysis includes market estimates and forecasts and is applicable only to buildings. However, it includes trends pertaining to the global construction sector.
Injection Molding: Global Markets and Technologies
The global market for plastic injection molding was valued at $191.0 billion in 2023. The market is estimated to grow from $192.7 billion in 2024 to $235.7 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2024 to 2029.
Biodegradable Polymers: Global Markets and Technologies
The global market volumes of biodegradable polymers is expected to grow from 1,286.0 kilotons in 2023 and is projected to reach 4,140.0 kilotons by the end of 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2028.
Top Trending Reports
AI in Clinical and Molecular Diagnostics Market
The global market for AI in clinical and molecular diagnostics is expected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.9 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.6% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2029.
Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Technologies and Global Markets
The global market for point-of-care diagnostics was valued at $36.9 billion in 2023. It is expected to grow from $40.6 billion in 2024 to $65.9 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 through 2029.
Medical Devices: Technologies and Global Markets
The global market for medical devices reached $739.6 billion in 2023. It is expected to grow from $810.4 billion in 2024 to $1.3 trillion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2024 through 2029.
Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market: Investments vs Potential
The global market for artificial intelligence (AI) is estimated to increase from $148.8 billion in 2023 to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.7% from 2024 through 2029.
CRISPR Technology: Global Markets
The global market for CRISPR technology was valued at $3.4 billion in 2023. This market is expected to grow from $3.8 billion in 2024 to $7.5 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4% from 2024 to 2029.
Become A Member
BCC Research offers a comprehensive library of reports, granting members unlimited access to data, insights, and market intelligence for informed business decisions, while actively supporting members in their evolving journeys and prioritizing high-quality, relevant topics based on continuous engagement with the research community.
Find Out MoreCustom Consulting
BCC Research emphasizes the importance of organizations leveraging highly customized market insights aligned with specific strategic business objectives through direct engagement with primary sources and proprietary forecasting models for profitable decision-making in maximizing growth opportunities and minimizing risks.
Customize NowScorecard
The Venture Scorecard provides commercialization offices and decision makers with expert analysis, offering strategic insights crucial for aligning objectives with market realities at various stages of commercializing new products or evaluating investment opportunities, from opportunity assessment to growth planning.
Find Out MoreInnovation Spotlight
Our industry experts offer strategic guidance to maximize the market potential of commercialized products, patents, and IP by providing insights into market trends, competitive dynamics, and effective positioning, using the Innovation Spotlight service for enhanced exposure to thought leaders and the wider community.
Find Out More