|
|
|
|
China sees growth for engineering
plastic
BEIJING - China
has witnessed a rapid growth of demand for
engineering plastic in recent years.
The
country's consumption of engineering plastic
increased from 244,700 tons in 1998 to 400,000
tons in 2000, up to 500,000 tons in 2001, 700,000
tons in 2002, and further up to 1.13 million tons
in 2004. The consumption is estimated to reach
1.35 million tons in 2005, posing an increase of
about 27% year on year. Of this, consumption of
polycarbonate recorded the fastest growth,
expecting to reach more than 30% in the coming
years.
With the rapid development of
manufacturing, China has seen an expansion of
areas for the application of engineering plastic
in recent years. Engineering plastic is an
upstream industry for electronics, transportation,
aviation and space, and machine tools, holding an
advantageous position in the industrial chain.
Accordingly, the engineering plastic industry has
been given priority for encouragement and
development by the state.
The market
demand for engineering plastic is estimated at
1.353 million tons in 2005, which is expected to
exceed 2 million tons by 2008, and further up to
2.64 million tons by 2010, approaching the
consumption level of that of the United States.
Attracted by the huge demand in China,
foreign companies have concentrated efforts on
development and localization of engineering
plastic in China. Foreign companies have set up
many polycarbonate plants in China in recent
years. Bayer has opened a 100,000-ton plant in
Shanghai in east China. Some foreign companies
also plan to expand their production in China. GE
has constructed a 63,000-ton plant in Panyu and
also owns a 60,000-ton plant in Shanghai, planning
to increase production to 250,000 tons by 2008.
DSM has launched a factory in Jiangyin and Nanjing
cities, and also plans production expansion.
Dupont has opened a factory in Shenzhen, and
Bayer's 40,000-ton modification plant has started
operation in Shanghai. The big influx of
transnational companies to China has accelerated
the competition in the domestic market.
At
the same time, the processing technology for
engineering plastic has come to play an important
role in the development and application of the
engineering plastic industry. China's output of
modified materials stands at about 760,000 tons,
accounting for 30% of the total. The output of
modified materials is forecast to double in the
coming five years.
(Asia Pulse/XIC) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
All material on this
website is copyright and may not be republished in any form without written
permission.
© Copyright 1999 - 2005 Asia Times
Online Ltd.
|
|
Head
Office: Rm 202, Hau Fook Mansion, No. 8 Hau Fook St., Kowloon, Hong
Kong
Thailand Bureau:
11/13 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand 77110
|
|
|
|
