New study from Ceresana research: LLDPE market on the rebound

Citation

(2010), "New study from Ceresana research: LLDPE market on the rebound", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 39 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2010.12939dac.004

New study from Ceresana research: LLDPE market on the rebound

Article Type: Publications From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 39, Issue 4

LLDPE is one of the most important plastics. This market is recovering well from the economic crisis: “We expect to see significant growth in sales and distribution starting in 2010“, says Oliver Kutsch, president of Ceresana Research. The market research institution has just released a new study covering this major polymer.

Late start for LLDPE

Linear low density polyethylene was offered in North America for the first time during the 1970s; the rest of the world was more hesitant to accept it. However, following its start-up difficulties, LLDPE became the fastest growing grade of polyethylene. The transparent, exceedingly ductile and dimensionally stable material is now processed primarily into films and other types of packaging. Manufacturers around the world are working on new grades of LLDPE for a variety of additional applications.

China as a driving force

After LLDPE revenue in certain world regions fell by up to a third in 2009, to a combined total of <€17 billion (US$24 billion), it is now on the rise again. China’s processing industry is particularly important for LLDPE demand. In China alone there are plans for capacity increases of roughly 2.7 million tons by 2012. The Asia-Pacific region is already the largest market for LLDPE, and the region is expected to consume more than half of all LLDPE manufactured world wide by 2016.

Growth in the Middle East

Also in the oil-rich countries of the Middle East, plastic production is rapidly expanding. Ceresana Research expects LLDPE manufacturing in this region will grow at a rate of more than 9 per cent per year until 2016. New production facilities are emerging, for example, in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. In contrast, Western Europe and North America are not likely to regain their peak production levels from 2008 in the near future.

Market Study Polyethylene – LLDPE is a useful 830 pages reference work which presents all essential data regarding this plastic’s market – including prognoses up to 2016. Current and future LLDPE manufacturers are presented with 80 company profiles. The study shows the development of the LLDPE markets in 67 countries. It contains detailed profiles for each nation, particularly for the 12 countries with the highest revenues. The report also offers information about technical characteristics, application areas and recycling of LLDPE, in addition to an overview of relevant laws and environmental regulations. The study is available now from Ceresana research: www.ceresana.com/en