ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURES
Plastics use in electronic enclosures growing at 6.1% per year / Surge in new products drives downsizing and thin-walling / BCC Research reports
Global production of plastics for electronic enclosures is expected to grow by an average of 6.1% per year over the next five years, boosted by the continuing growth of flat-panel displays, according to BCC Research (Wellesley, Massachusetts / USA; www.bccresearch.com). Production is forecast to reach 9.9 bn lbs (4.5m t) in 2017, from 7.4 bn lbs (3.4m t) in 2012.
The surge in new electronic products, led by small and mobile computer-based devices, has resulted in significant changes in the market for electronic enclosures. “Downsizing and thin walling have necessitated a re-evaluation of resins because of more demanding physical-property requirements and moulding challenges,” BCC says in a new report.
The market research company points to the shift from desktop computers to notebooks, the explosion in the market for smart phones, increased demand for MP3 players and the introduction of tablet computers and electronic books. Different types of enclosures, often known as "housings", often compete with each other because many mobile electronic devices have become multifunctional, BCC notes. “Change is the mantra of the electronics industry,” it says. “New products are constantly being introduced, creating different issues for enclosures.”
A re-evaluation is also necessary for resins used in stationary electronic enclosures, such as enclosures for desktop computers and flat-panel displays, BCC says. This is, in part, because of additional protection required for power supplies within these units.
While there is strong growth in demand for mobile electronic enclosures, this market remains small compared with that of stationary enclosures. “The continuing rapid growth of the mobile sector will have minimal impact on the overall electronic enclosure market since it constitutes less than 5% of the total volume,” BCC says.
The stationary enclosures market is expected to require nearly 7.2 bn lbs (3.3m t) of plastics in 2012 and to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% to 9.5 bn lbs (4.3m t) by the end of 2017. Mobile enclosures are expected to require just 201m lbs of plastics in 2012, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% to 364.4m lbs in 2017.
Electronic displays within the stationary electronic enclosures sector are forecast to drive growth in plastics production for electronic enclosures over the five year period, BCC states in the report, entitled “Plastics in electronic enclosures: Global markets”.
The market for electronic displays in the stationary enclosures sector will become more mature later this decade, reflecting the near complete shift from cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors to flat-panel monitors for computers and TVs. Bulky monitors have been replaced, resulting in less volume for enclosures and the move away from PS to mostly PC/ABS resins, BCC says. In addition, in some instances choices of enclosure resins have changed in order to meet new environmental regulations covering the use of flame retardants, it adds.
The surge in new electronic products, led by small and mobile computer-based devices, has resulted in significant changes in the market for electronic enclosures. “Downsizing and thin walling have necessitated a re-evaluation of resins because of more demanding physical-property requirements and moulding challenges,” BCC says in a new report.
The market research company points to the shift from desktop computers to notebooks, the explosion in the market for smart phones, increased demand for MP3 players and the introduction of tablet computers and electronic books. Different types of enclosures, often known as "housings", often compete with each other because many mobile electronic devices have become multifunctional, BCC notes. “Change is the mantra of the electronics industry,” it says. “New products are constantly being introduced, creating different issues for enclosures.”
A re-evaluation is also necessary for resins used in stationary electronic enclosures, such as enclosures for desktop computers and flat-panel displays, BCC says. This is, in part, because of additional protection required for power supplies within these units.
While there is strong growth in demand for mobile electronic enclosures, this market remains small compared with that of stationary enclosures. “The continuing rapid growth of the mobile sector will have minimal impact on the overall electronic enclosure market since it constitutes less than 5% of the total volume,” BCC says.
The stationary enclosures market is expected to require nearly 7.2 bn lbs (3.3m t) of plastics in 2012 and to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% to 9.5 bn lbs (4.3m t) by the end of 2017. Mobile enclosures are expected to require just 201m lbs of plastics in 2012, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% to 364.4m lbs in 2017.
Electronic displays within the stationary electronic enclosures sector are forecast to drive growth in plastics production for electronic enclosures over the five year period, BCC states in the report, entitled “Plastics in electronic enclosures: Global markets”.
The market for electronic displays in the stationary enclosures sector will become more mature later this decade, reflecting the near complete shift from cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors to flat-panel monitors for computers and TVs. Bulky monitors have been replaced, resulting in less volume for enclosures and the move away from PS to mostly PC/ABS resins, BCC says. In addition, in some instances choices of enclosure resins have changed in order to meet new environmental regulations covering the use of flame retardants, it adds.
23.12.2011 Plasteurope.com [221129-0]
Published on 23.12.2011