Because of the ban on imports of European plastic waste impeded by China at the beginning of 2018, Europeans urgently need to find another solution. The EU commission, for example, is considering a “plastics tax”. An EU directive against lightweight plastic carrier bags has already contributed to a reduction of consumption in many countries. Until 2030, all packaging in the EU ought to be reusable and made of recyclable materials. “Manufacturers do not need to worry about demand”, says ... Read more
Modern, efficient plastic windows perform important tasks such as automated ventilation, thermoregulation, or burglar control within the context of “smart homes”. They reduce heat loss and thus energy consumption of the building – this helps saving resources and money. Therefore, their market share is increasing in most countries. Already for the second time, Ceresana publishes a study on the global market for plastic windows used in buildings. The analysts of Ceresana expect global demand ... Read more
Elastically deformable plastics are necessary for many technical applications but also for various everyday objects. Per year, more than 12.7 million tonnes of these types of polymers are consumed worldwide. Ceresana analyzed the global market for synthetic rubbers already for the third time. These include styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, chlorobutadiene, and polyisoprene. The current study deals with data for the ... Read more
Melting, repeatedly deforming, and recycling: Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can be processed just like conventional standard plastics when reheated. At room temperature however, TPE plastics have the same mechanical properties as vulcanized elastomers: They are elastic, pliable, and flexible like rubber. In its current study, Ceresana analyzes the market for these innovative materials already for the second time: In 2017, about 4.7 million tonnes of thermoplastic elastomers were used ... Read more
Flexible without plasticizers, heat and cold resistant, skin-friendly, water-repellent but permeable to water vapor: Silicones offer characteristics that cannot be fulfilled by any other plastics. In many industrial branches, these innovative materials are used for diverse products. “The most important types of silicones are silicone elastomers, silicone oils, and silicone resins”, explains Oliver Kutsch, CEO of the market research institute Ceresana. “Application areas are construction, ... Read more
Inner values are often more important than appearance: Engineering plastics are utilized for bearings or wheels, gaskets, insulators, housings, and many other applications and are characterized by special physical and chemical properties. For the third time already, Ceresana analyzed the global market for ABS, PC, PA, PMMA, POM, PBT, SAN, and fluoropolymers: almost 21.5 million tonnes of these plastic types are consumed every year. “For years, engineering plastics have already been ... Read more
Most of the time, plastics would be useless without additives. Additives facilitate the processing of plastics, protect against heat and UV rays, and expand the range of properties by modifying material characteristics. “Only additives make it possible to permanently use plastics in ever new applications” explains Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana. The market research company analyzed the complete world market for all major plastic additives for the second time: fillers, plasticizers, pigments ... Read more
Sunlight, acid or salt water: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can withstand practically anything and is almost indestructible. PVC plasticizers are controversial, yet, this robust material remains one of the most frequently produced plastics alongside polypropylene and polyethylene. Demand even continues to increase: The most current and already fifth PVC market report by Ceresana expects demand to increase to about 56.2 million tonnes until 2026.
Stabilizers are chemicals needed for many plastic and rubber products. They enable a safe production and processing; they protect plastics and rubbers against the effects of heat, UV light or oxygen. The market research company Ceresana analyzed the global market for these indispensable additives already for the fourth time. “The revenues generated with stabilizers are likely to reach a volume of USD 5.5 billion until 2025,” Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana, explains.
One of the oldest plastic types is still of great economic importance: about 90 years ago, polystyrene was first produced in Germany. To this day, most yogurt cups are made of polystyrene. Since 1950, polystyrene has also been foamed and marketed as, for example, “Styropor”. Ceresana examined the global market for polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS). The analysts expect global sales generated with these plastics, i.e. PS and EPS combined, will rise to more than USD 37.3 billion ... Read more
After polyethylene, polypropylene is the world's most widely produced standard plastic. “PP can be processed using various techniques and is used for the most diverse applications ranging from packaging to household appliances, clothing, and vehicles,” Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana, explains. The market research company analyzed the global market for polypropylene already for the fifth time. The latest report expects revenues for this type of plastic to grow by, on average, 4.9% per year ... Read more
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ranks amongst the most sold plastics - and demand even continues to increase. “HDPE is the polyethylene type with the highest strength and the lowest flexibility” explains Oliver Kutsch, the CEO of the market research company Ceresana. “The strong and somewhat hard plastic is suitable for a large spectrum of uses: for rigid containers and pipes, as well as for films and a multitude of products for the transportation and electronic industry.” Ceresana ... Read more
Polylactic acids, starch blends, cellulose, and other bioplastics achieve significantly higher growth rates than conventional standard plastics made of mineral oils or natural gases. „Bioplastics can be used in a growing number of application areas,“ explains Oliver Kutsch, CEO of market research institute Ceresana. With its newest study, Ceresana has examined the world market for "green" polymers for the fifth time already. Analysts predict their future development to remain dynamic: ... Read more
Changing lifestyles and new consumer generations revolutionize the packaging market. “The uninterrupted trend towards on-the-go products, for example, is boosting the demand for resealable packaging, especially in the food sector,” explains Oliver Kutsch, CEO of the market research institute Ceresana. “On the other hand, more and more countries try to reduce waste and promote reusable bottles or recycling.” For the third time, Ceresana has analyzed the European market for plastic caps and ... Read more
Beauty without a guilty conscience? The ‘Selfie Generation’ not only wants to look good, they also care about sustainable consumption. These contradictory trends pose a major challenge for cosmetics manufacturers. The latest study by Ceresana examines European demand for plastic packaging for cosmetics and personal care products. It distinguishes 13 application areas and 7 different types of packaging. The report covers both the historical development and future growth prospects of this ... Read more
Polyethylene is one of the top-selling standard plastics, its consumption continues to increase despite all environmental discussions. It is classified into different grades according to its density and the branching of its polymer chains: LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE. Ceresana now publishes its third comprehensive analysis of the world market for low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This oldest polyethylene grade, which has been produced since 1939, is soft, tough, and flexible. LDPE is therefore used ... Read more