US reinforced plastics demand will reach 1.9m t in 2011, driven by wider applications and enhanced competitiveness with steel and aluminium, according to a new study, “Reinforced Plastics to 2011” from US market research group Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio; www.freedoniagroup.com). Thermoset resins will remain dominant in the USD 6.7 bn industry, while thermoplastics will grow faster, the report says. Glass fibres will be the leading reinforcement material, carbon fibres are expected to increase 9% annually and nanomaterials will emerge commercially.

Demand for reinforced plastics is projected to increase 2.8% annually reaching a value of USD 8.1 bn in 2011. This will create a market for 1.27m t of resin and 630,000 t of reinforcements. Thermoset resins, primarily unsaturated polyester, will continue to account for over 60% of all reinforced plastics in 2011. Demand for reinforced thermosets is projected to expand 2.7% annually to 1.13m t in 2011. Faster growth, however, is anticipated for thermoplastics where demand is forecast to grow 3.0% annually to 725,000 t in 2011. Polypropylene will remain the leading thermoplastic and present above average growth based on its low cost, stiffness and dimensional stability.

Glass fibres, due to their low cost and good performance, will continue to be the dominant reinforcement material in 2011, but carbon fibres are expected to increase to 14,500 t and nanomaterials will emerge commercially, with demand reaching almost 2,270 t.