Global demand for plastics processing machinery is forecast to rise by 6.0% annually, reaching USD 28.9 bn in 2015, reversing the declines experienced in the 2005 to 2010 period, according to a recent report, “World plastics processing machinery”, published by market researcher Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.freedoniagroup.com). Growth will be driven by increases in the manufacture of plastic products and a favourable fixed investment environment worldwide. The researcher says that many nations are building up their plastics manufacturing infrastructure, thanks to rising domestic demand for plastics-consuming goods and export opportunities to developed nations.

China is forecast to account for over 40% of all additional global demand up to 2015 as gains in developing nations become the driving force for plastics processing equipment market growth. Other nations in Asia with smaller, less-developed economies, such as India, Vietnam and Thailand, are also expected to see strong market gains. In developed areas of the world, most notably the US, western Europe and Japan, demand will rebound following a period of decline, although sales advances will not be as strong as those in developing nations.

Sales of extrusion equipment will experience the strongest gains in the period to 2015, benefiting from growth in global construction spending, which will fuel demand for extruded goods including pipe and siding. Injection moulding equipment will remain the largest product segment, accounting for 40% of demand in 2015.

Freedonia said that it expects the construction market to post the strongest gains in the period, benefiting from an acceleration in global construction spending, with the consumer/institutional products market also expanding, reflecting rising standards of living. Growth in the packaging market will be due to rising manufacturing output and consumer demand for packaged products. The researcher concludes that plastic will continue to gain market share from other materials in applications such as bottles.