MASTERBATCH MARKET
Europe leads world in production and demand / 3% annual growth since 2001 / AMI report
The European masterbatch industry is the largest in the world both in terms of production and demand according to the new report, "Thermoplastic masterbatches in Europe: Identifying growth opportunities in a changing market" published by UK market research group Applied Market Information (AMI, Bristol; www.amiplastics.com).
In 2006, masterbatch producers in Europe manufactured over 960,000 t of product, while demand was just over 800,000 t, making Europe a significant net exporter. Overall, the market has displayed solid growth in recent years, with average annual demand increases of 3% since 2001. AMI says that the growth has been driven by increasing penetration of masterbatch into engineering polymer markets as replacement for compounds, growing use by polymer manufacturers in their own compounding operations and the greater application of colour and special effects to differentiate products. The largest market for masterbatches in Europe is the white one which accounted for 29 % of demand in 2006 – see Plasteurope.com Web of 17.04.2007.
Growth has been seen across all of Europe apart from the UK which has seen its market decline thanks to a fall in moulding capacity and the transfer of production to central Europe and Asia, the report says. In 2006 the UK accounted for 10% of the European market compared with 14% in 1996.
The Benelux region has the largest concentration of production accounting for 23% of the total for Europe and also has a significant market for masterbatch consumption. However, Germany and Italy remain the largest markets. AMI forecasts that overall masterbatch demand will continue growing at just under 3% annually to 2010.
Details of the Chinese masterbatch market: See Plasteurope.com Web of 01.03.2006.
In 2006, masterbatch producers in Europe manufactured over 960,000 t of product, while demand was just over 800,000 t, making Europe a significant net exporter. Overall, the market has displayed solid growth in recent years, with average annual demand increases of 3% since 2001. AMI says that the growth has been driven by increasing penetration of masterbatch into engineering polymer markets as replacement for compounds, growing use by polymer manufacturers in their own compounding operations and the greater application of colour and special effects to differentiate products. The largest market for masterbatches in Europe is the white one which accounted for 29 % of demand in 2006 – see Plasteurope.com Web of 17.04.2007.
Growth has been seen across all of Europe apart from the UK which has seen its market decline thanks to a fall in moulding capacity and the transfer of production to central Europe and Asia, the report says. In 2006 the UK accounted for 10% of the European market compared with 14% in 1996.
The Benelux region has the largest concentration of production accounting for 23% of the total for Europe and also has a significant market for masterbatch consumption. However, Germany and Italy remain the largest markets. AMI forecasts that overall masterbatch demand will continue growing at just under 3% annually to 2010.
Details of the Chinese masterbatch market: See Plasteurope.com Web of 01.03.2006.
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18.04.2007 Plasteurope.com [207878]
Published on 18.04.2007