Publications

Citation

(2009), "Publications", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 38 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2009.12938aae.001

Publications

Article Type: Conferences, training and publications From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 38, Issue 1

New study from Ceresana research: change in the global HDPE market

Whether used in shopping bags, packaging materials, or buckets, we see high density polyethylene (HDPE) every day. Less obvious, but nevertheless important products made from HDPE include water pipes, gas mains, oil tanks and cable casings. A new study from Ceresana Research (Figure 1) closely examines this important plastics market.

Figure 1

The growing HDPE market

Global demand for HDPE is primarily influenced by rapidly growing sectors, such as the packaging and construction industries. Although North America and Western Europe accounted for approximately 44 per cent of worldwide consumption during 2007, the Asian Pacific leads worldwide growth and, for the most part, will drive future HDPE revenue increases. Currently, Eastern Europe is also profiting from significant growth rates and has reached a market volume of 2.5 million tons.

Asia-pacific is increasing their market share

Asia-Pacific’s portion of worldwide consumption of HDPE has risen from 31 per cent in 2000, to more than 35 per cent in 2007. Manufacturers in this region are benefiting from Asia’s rapidly growing markets and increasing export possibilities to North America and Western Europe. The HDPE manufacturing industry is migrating from previously established regions to the continuously growing and cost effective countries in Asia.

The Middle East aspires to reach the top

In the oil-rich countries of the Middle East, not only is demand for plastics increasing steadily, but so is production. Since the year 2000, HDPE production in the region has increased an average of 20 per cent per year, whereby Saudi Arabia accounts for a large portion of this. There is no end in sight for this rapid development. Until 2013, projects with a total capacity of 6.7 million tons are planned throughout the Middle East, which is expected to make this region the most important supplier of HDPE.

What will become of Western Europe and North America?

Only marginal capacity increases will take place in Western Europe and North America, whereby expansions will primarily come through the modernisation of old production facilities. Manufacturers of HDPE will be required to invest in innovative products and efficient production technologies, in order to stay current among increasing competition.

Several HDPE application areas are growing quickly

Milk bottles and other hollow articles made with blow moulding processes are the most important application areas for HDPE. Above all, China, where bottles made from HDPE were first launched in 2005, is the fastest growing market for rigid HDPE packaging, due to an improving standard of living. In India and other heavily populated, emerging markets, infrastructure will continue to be built up – assuredly with pipes and cable conductors made from HDPE. This environmentally friendly material is profiting from discussions about the health and environmental damages that could be caused by PVC: Sealing sheets made from extruded HDPE have steadily continued to gain market share over the past decade. Today, 85 per cent of sealing foil is manufactured from HDPE.

The market study polyethylene – HDPE provides 900 pages of essential information on this rapidly growing market. It offers 100 company profiles of current and future manufacturers around the world. Development of 65 countries is detailed with individual country profiles. Additionally, this useful compilation informs readers of technical characteristics and application areas of HDPE and provides an overview of relevant laws and environmental regulations. The market report is available immediately from Ceresana Research: www.ceresana.com/en

About Ceresana research

As an independent market research company, we are among the worldwide leading specialists for commodities as well as the chemical and manufacturing industries. Our multi-user market studies and individually commissioned reports provide the foundation for strategic decisions for our clients.

Through the combination of competence, experience, innovation and quality, our customers receive high-value knowledge on which to base their decisions. Our clients from more than 40 countries include well-known retail and industrial companies in the most diverse markets as well as renowned institutes and organisations.

Further information: Ceresana Research, Blarerstr. 56, 78462 Konstanz, Germany. Tel.: 49 7531 94293 0, Fax: 49 7531 94292 27. Press contact: Martin Ebner, M.A., e-mail: m.ebner@ceresana.com; visit us at: www.ceresana.com/en