Plastic additives sales to grow by 3.3% annually until 2023

Elastic cable sheathing or floor coverings do not necessarily have to be made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic that contains up to 70% plasticizers. But most of the time they are: PVC manufacturers in particular ensure that more than 8 million tons of plasticizers are sold every year, especially phthalates. However, the plastic additives used in the largest quantities overall are fillers: More than 19.5 million tons of calcium carbonates, kaolin, and other filling materials are added to plastics to make them cheaper or to specifically change other properties. All ingredients, whether individually or as premixed masterbatches, must meet the requirements for the respective end products. For example, they often have to comply with food contact regulations in packaging or be compatible with the trend towards bioplastics.

Ceresana has been analyzing the market size and development of plastics and their various ingredients for more than 20 years. The latest market report forecasts that sales of plastic additives will grow by an average of 3.3% per year until 2033. The Asia-Pacific region currently accounts for more than half of total demand for plastic additives, followed by North America and Western Europe. The market study examines in detail the development of the individual additive types in the various regions of the world as well as in the 29 largest national sales markets.

The largest application area for plastic additives is construction products, such as insulation materials, films, or door and window frames. Traditional materials such as wood, metal, and glass are increasingly being replaced by plastics, and not only in the construction industry: The demand for plastic additives is also increasing due to the consumption of rigid packaging, packaging films, and flexible packaging. Vehicle manufacturers and the electrical and electronics industry are important consumers as well.