Bayer/Röhm´s joint venture Makroform – headquarters: Makroform GmbH (D-64293 Darmstadt; www.makroform.com) – which has been operating as an independent company in the plastics sheet business since 1st July 2000, has reported a successful first fiscal year. With a current share of approximately 25% in the market for polycarbonate sheet, Makroform follows close behind the market leader GE Plastics which makes the company the second biggest player in Europe. With a share of approximately 40% (“Axpet” and “Vivak”), the company is European leader in the polyester and copolyester sheet market.

At K 2001 however, Pierre Colle, chairperson of the managing board informed Plasteurope.com about a decline in turnover for “Makrolon” PC, PET-A and PET-G sheet during the second quarter. At present, it is not possible to make a reasonable forecast for the entire year. According to Colle, the current “delayed order situation” is caused by the fact that semi-finished goods suppliers have been stocking up their stores in a careful reaction to the current situation. “The pipeline to the end user is empty. It is certain that it will be filled again. The question is whether this will happen at the beginning of 2002 or at a later stage”. The plans for an extension of the product range by panels and corrugated sheet particularly for the building sector with a focus on applications such as industrial constructions will still go ahead.

Moreover, at Bayer´s K 2001 exhibition stand, Dr. Volker Benz, technical marketing director, presented a range of sheet applications with future potential such as the transparent holographic projection surface “HoloPro” or the tried-and-tested solar modules which are both based on “Makrolon” sheet. According to Benz, the co-operation which fully integrates raw materials, also plans a forward integration by offering “sheet systems”.

Reader Service: Facts and figures on Makroform: PIE-No. 45446 – Information on the European plastics sheet market by Makroform: PIE-No. 45447 (all documents in English).