In order to estimate in detail the demand for POM according to individual countries or regions, import and export quantities must be considered, in addition to the POM quantities produced. With its import volume of 250,000 t per year, China is the undisputed leader of this ranking. It is followed by Japan, the USA and Germany.  

Demand Is High in China, Stable in Western Europe, and Growing in Eastern Europe 

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Polyoxymethylene (POM) 

Vorspann: Kennen Sie in Illustrator schon die Warichu-Einstellungen? Warichu ist eine traditionelle Darstellung in der japanischen Typografie, bei der Kommentare in kleinerer Schrift und auf zwei Zeilen verteilt, in den Text eingefügt wird. Bei uns kennt man die doppelstöckigen Textelemente von Filmplakaten, wo die dem Namen vorangestellten Funktionsbezeichnungen auf zwei Zeilen verteilt werden. 

Guest Commentary by Dr. Josef Ertl 

Challenging Market Environment for Plastics Manufacturers 

In the packaging industry PET is a commonly used material. Especially in the field of liquid goods PET bottles and containers are the packaging of choice. Through advancements in process technologies and material as well as through new approaches in recycling new application areas open up for PET. The polymer can not only substitute the traditional materials technically but offers often additional advantages concerning costs and the environment. 

Consumer Behavior Has Great Influence on Market Development 

Simulation Verpackung

Polyethylenterephthalat

Verpackungsmaterial

Polyethylene-Terephthalate (PET) 

Thanks to new system solutions plus the downgrading of high-priced materials, technical thermoplastics like ABS have secured a firm place in the market in recent years. After a long consolidation process, a few large companies have focused on the production of ABS plastics. Automotive, electrical & electronics industry as well as household appliances and toys are driving the demand growth for ABS worldwide. 

ABS Enjoys Moderate Growth and Continues to Open More Application Areas 

Polyacrylnitril

Styrol-Copolymerisate

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) 

The global PU market volume in 2015 amounted to some 17.5 million tons. In the medium term, an annual growth of some 4 % is expected, whereby the continued economic development in China will have a major influence. In general, PU sales are affected mainly by global megatrends and also by the economic situation of emerging countries such as India or Brazil. 

Increasing Market for Plastics Chameleon 

Polyurethan

Polyurethane (PU) 

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers continue to grow at double-digit rates. Polyurethane is the multitalented newcomer among these materials. Economic mass production makes innovative pultrusion methods very impressive. 

Fiber-Reinforced Polymers Are as Important as ever and Providing the Impetus for Global Growth 

Verbundwerkstoffe / Werkstoffverbunde

Kohlenstofffasern / -matten

Fasern

Reactive Systems and Fiber-Reinforced Composites 

Advanced PAEK materials, production processes or integrated offerings are opening the door to increased efficiency and new potential uses. Translated to application level, this means greater productivity, performance and reliability with cost efficiency for applications in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy and medical industries, typically replacing traditionally used metals.  

New Materials and Technologies Get Polyaryletherketones Moving  

Hochleistungskunststoffe

Polyetherketon

Polyaryletherketones (PAEK) 

The importance of fluoropolymers will continue to increase in the coming years. With an average global growth rate of around 4.5 %, fluorothermoplastics in particular will be the driving force in new applications. Megatrends are leading to an increase in the demand for fluoropolymers. At the end of their life cycle, the plastics can now be chemically recycled on a large scale using the Up-Cycling process. 

Social Megatrends Give Fluoropolymers a Boost 

Fluorkunststoffe

Fluoropolymers 

With the growth of the major consumer markets, polyamide production is also growing. PA6 and PA66 predominate; the share of PA specialties is still small, despite relatively high growth rates. The biggest producer and consumer of PA6 was China. A key driver of polyamide growth is the global increase in automotive production. The consolidation and relocation of polyamide supply chains are progressing rapidly. 

Demand for Polyamides is Determined by Asia and the Automotive Industry 

Polyamide

Polyamide 6 and 66 (PA6 and PA66) 

In view of production capacity, tonnage sold, and the diversity of applications, PE is among the leading plastics on the market. Today the delivery bottlenecks from a few years ago have been fully alleviated. New sources of raw materials and technical innovations are keeping the market in constant motion. The prospects for growth are good. Homework remains to be done in Europe however. 

Along with HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE, Polyethylene Exhibits Quality in Europe  and Quantity in Asia 

Polyethylen

Polyethylene (PE) 

Worldwide polycarbonate sales and demand will continue rising in the medium term. Growth drivers include new applications, for instance in LED engineering, automobile interiors and exteriors, and new technologies such as wearable electronics and robotics. Asian PC manufacturers in particular have recently consolidated or restructured their business. This restructuring is accompanied by an expansion of capacities, currently taking place exclusively in China.  

The Crystal Clear Thermoplastic Material Is in High Demand, Especially in Asia,  and Continues to Find New Fields of Application 

Polycarbonat

Polycarbonate (PC) 

Styrene copolymers such as SAN, ASA, MABS, MBS, SMMA, SBC as well as various blends are increasingly used in existing and new applications all over major industries like automotive, electronics, household or construction. At the same time, the requirements regarding aesthetics, excellent mechanical properties and processability and stress crack resistance are becoming more demanding. To meet them, improved and new materials are being developed. 

Market-Oriented Specialty Developments and Global Megatrends Characterize  Styrene Polymers 

Styrene Copolymers 

Despite the tough market environment, the global sales market for polymethyl methacrylate is showing solid business growth and is leveling out demand fluctuations. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on non-cyclical specialties in established application fields outside the fast-moving opto-electronics industry. This decision is intended to promote solid growth in the medium term. 

The World Market for PMMA Continues to Show Solid Growth 

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) 

From personal hygiene fibers to car bumpers, polypropylene continually reveals new facets in terms of its properties and applications. Even though there are no major changes at the present time, the material family can still demonstrate its advantages in the field of commodity plastics and for technically complex requirements. 

In View of the Material Combinations and Process Developments, Polypropylene Has Long Been More than a Commodity 

Polypropylen

Polypropylene (PP) 

Even if the European market is currently only showing modest growth, PVC has continued its global growth unbroken. The plastic is becoming ever more environmentally compatible and is benefiting from global trends. The restructuring of the industry has made progress; the consolidation pressure on Western European PVC raw materials manufacturers has eased for the time being. 

PVC Is Showing a Positive Growth Trend, however, It Has Still Not Entirely Regained its Former Strength 

Polyvinylchlorid

Folien

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 

Borealis with New Vice President Innovation & Technology 

Borealis announces the appointment of Erik van Praet as Vice President Innovation & Technology effective 1 April 2020. Erik van Praet succeeds Maurits van Tol 

Borealis announces the appointment of Erik van Praet as Vice President Innovation & Technology effective 1 April 2020. Erik van Praet succeeds Maurits van Tol, who decided to pursue his career outside of Borealis in October 2019.
Erik started his career with Borealis in 1995 as development engineer in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, followed by various research manager positions in Porvoo, Finland; Stenungsund, Sweden; and the positions of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) manager and technology commercialisation manager in Mechelen, Belgium. Prior to joining Borealis, Erik worked at Desotec, a company specialised in air and water purification. 

Most recently, Erik has held the position of Director Strategy and Portfolio for over a decade, first in Linz, Austria and then in Beringen, Belgium. 

Erik van Praet holds a PhD in Quantum Chemistry and a Master degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leuven, Belgium. He is a board member of both the Dutch Polymer Institute and Borealis Technology Oy.
Erik is a Belgian citizen, is married and has four children. 

Borealis AG  

https://www.borealisgroup.com

10892389 News Beitrag [Online] - Borealis, Erik van Praet

Erik van Praet, new Vice President Innovation & Technology (© Borealis) 

issue 04/2021

issue 03/2021

issue 02/2021

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