The major players are: Bayer, BASF, DuPont, GE Plastics, Ticona, Solvay and Dow Chemical, large firms that have been in the business for quite a long time.
Products.
There are two major groups of plastics, thermoplastics and thermosets. Both are not only used in the manufacture of many typical plastic applications, such as packaging and automotive parts, but also in non-plastics applications such as textile fibres and coatings.
The main thermoplastics on the market and their applications:.
LDPE (Low density polyethylene) pallet and agricultural film, bags, toys, coatings, containers, pipes.
HDPE (High density polyethylene) containers, toys, housewares, industrial wrappings and film, gas pipes.
PP (Polypropylene) film, battery cases, microwave-proof containers, crates, automotive parts, electrical components.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) window frames, pipes, flooring, wallpaper, bottles, cling film, toys, guttering, cable insulation, credit cards, medical products.
PS&EPS (Polystyrene) electrical appliances, thermal insulation, tape cassettes, cups, plates, toys.
PET (Polyethylene terephtalate) bottles, textile fibres, film food packaging.
ABS/SAN (Styrene copolymers) general appliance mouldings.
PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) transparent all-wheater sheet, electrical insulators, bathroom units, automotive parts.
PA (Polyamide) films for packaging for foods such as oil, cheese and boil in the bag products, for high temperature engineering applications and textile fibres.
The main thermosets on the market and their applications:.
Phenolics adhesives, automotive parts, electrical components.
Epoxy resins adhesives, automotive components, E&E components, sports equipment, boats.
PU (Polyurethane) coatings, finishes, cushions, mattresses, vehicle seats.
Total plastic consumption, including non-plastics applications in 2000 was 46 160 000 tonnes, where total thermoplastics made up of 35 776 000 tonnes and total thermosets 10 384 000 tonnes.