Plastics in Electronic Enclosures: Global Markets

Countries covered: Global The global market for plastics used in electronic enclosures was 6.9 billion pounds in 2011. BCC expects this market to reach 7.4 billion pounds by 2012 and to reach 9.9 billion pounds by 2017, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The stationary electronic device segment was 6.7 billion pounds in 2011, which is expected to reach to 7.2 billion pounds in 2012. The segment is then forecast to grow to 9.5 billions pound by 2017, increasing at a CAGR of 5.9% for the five year period. The mobile electronic device segment was 179.1 million pounds in 2011 and is expected to reach 201 million pounds in 2012. BCC forecasts this market will further grow at a CAGR of 12.6% and will reach 363.4 million pounds in 2017.

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The surge of new electronic products, led by small and mobile computer-based devices, has resulted in significant changes in resin selection for enclosures. Downsizing and thin walling have necessitated a reevaluation of resins because of more demanding physical-property requirements and molding challenges. In addition, a reevaluation is also necessary for resins used in the stationary portion of the market, which includes enclosures for desktop computers and flat-panel displays.

This study analyzes new developments, particularly the complex scenario of very small enclosures, given that mobile electronic devices have become increasingly smaller and lighter. There have also been changes in the market for stationary electronic devices, especially because of the additional protection required for power supplies within these units.

REASON FOR DOING STUDY

Many past studies on resins used for electronic enclosures cited data that was outdated and, in our opinion, not valid. FEW of these studies carefully defined the parameters. It must also be realized that change is the mantra of the electronic industry. NEW products are constantly being introduced, creating different issues for enclosures.

In many instances, past studies did not take into account important data generated from previous reports. Also not take into consideration were critical factors such as the actual measurement and calculation of surface areas and weights for both stationary and mobile electronic enclosures. The results of this study were generated from such measurements and subsequent calculations. The report also includes careful estimates of units sold, and, finally, reasonable estimates of future units to be sold.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

Use of electronic enclosures, often called “housings”, is often classified as stationary or mobile. and often compete with each other. Many mobile electronic devices have become multifunctional. This study covers both stationary and mobile electronic devices; some of the latter are also known as handheld devices.

Some of the significant changes within the industry include the shift of desktop computers to notebooks, with the shift to smaller versions called “netbooks”, and the explosion of the cell phone market, which includes upgrades such as iPhones, smart phones, and the popular BlackBerry. MP3 players, such as i-pods, bring music to the world. Tablets such as the popular i-Pad, along with electronic books, or “e-books”, have been the most recently introduced products in this industry.

Another critical factor in this market is the almost complete shift in North America, Japan, and Western Europe from cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors to flat-panel monitors for computers and TVs. In both cases, bulky monitors have been replaced, resulting in less volume for enclosures and shifts away from polystyrene (PS) to mostly polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) resins.

This report deals with electronic enclosures and excludes enclosures used for servers, which utilize modular enclosures. Servers are a nondescript group of enclosures, mostly made from metals, especially sheet-metal materials, along with some reinforced plastics, many of which are thermosets. Many of these enclosures are termed “cabinets” and are made by simply joining smaller units together.

Another factor impacting this market, and covered in detail in this report, relates to the use of flame retardants for resins used in electronic enclosures to conform to new environmental restrictions related to bromine-based variants. In some instances, choices of enclosure resins have changed in order to meet these new standards.

Use of metals in stationary and mobile electronic devices has been considered in this report. However, the use of metals is still very small and difficult to quantify; as such, it was not included in the basic calculations to determine enclosure weights.

The market information contained in this report is considered global. However, a quantitative breakdown of the data by geographic region was not deemed feasible. We have included the most recent global analysis of electronic device sales by major geographic region; this could prove to be a viable attempt to segment this market by major areas.

METHODOLOGY

A comprehensive review was undertaken of trade and technical literature relating to electronic enclosures in terms of resin usage, specific applications, and new technologies and developments, etc. Included in this review were supplier trade literature, texts, and monographs.

In addition to calculating measurements of enclosures, interviews were conducted with major manufacturers of electronic enclosures and with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the electronic industry. Their input was carefully evaluated and meaningful contributions were included in the analysis. These electronic-enclosure manufacturers included Buckeye Enclosures, Bud Industries, Cool Polymers, EAI Enclosures, Electronic Product Design, Fibox Enclosures, Hammond Manufacturing, Hubell/Wiegman, LCR Electronics, Met Case/OKW Enclosures, Plastronic Enclosures, Polycase, Polymer Products, Rose+Bopla, Teko USA Enclosures, Unibox Enclosures, and Vynckier Enclosures.

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