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TPEs slated for growth in ChinaTPEs slated for growth in China

November 4, 2005

2 Min Read
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China''s share of global production for cameras is 50%, for telephones 50%, and for mobile phones 28%. Moreover, it is forecast to turn out more than 1.4 billion wet razors in 2005 and close to 2.5 billion in 2010, well ahead of forecast European production of 580 million and 1.3 billion, respectively, and also outpace Indian production estimates of 380 million and 980 million, respectively. In the category of power tools, meanwhile, China will manufacture an estimated 250 million units this year and 290 million in 2010, compared with the Indian outlook of 11 million and 26 million, respectively.

So what does all this data have to do with plastics? As noted by Roger Young, VP Asia Pacific for consultant Robert Eller Associates (Akron, OH), in a presentation at the second Asia/China Specialty Elastomers Markets conference in China, they all have some type of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) contributing to functionality. Young says that Western TPE compounders are only now responding to the potential of TPEs in China and India, with, for example, Noveon having opened a plant in Shanghai for its Estane TPUs in 2005 and GLS (McHenry, IL) planning to inaugurate a facility in Suzhou in 2006. Other foreign players active in China include Finland''s Optatech, present through a JV with Sinopec since 2001, PolyOne, and Schulman.

Overall, Robert Eller Associates forecasts 12% growth in the elastomer market in China, with strong increases for TPUs in footwear, automotive, and consumer products. It also foresees penetration of the rubber market in body/glazing seals and hoses/belts, while among TPEs there will be a shift to styrenic block copolymers. Robert Eller Associates plans to release a report in Q1 2006 covering the Chinese TPE market with forecasts through to 2009. -Stephen Moore; [email protected]

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