The North American Market for Plastics Compounding

Chapter 1 Introduction

Study Goals and Objectives

Reasons for Doing This Study

Scope of Report

Methodology and Information Source

Analyst's Credentials

Related BCC Research Reports

Chapter 2 Summary and Trends

Developments

Plastics Users

Bioplastic Resins

Plastic Additives

Fillers and Reinforcement

Masterbatch

Chapter 3 Overview

Introduction and Definitions

Background

Additives

Types of Compounders

Chapter 4 Resins

Overview

Polyethylene

Low-Density Polyethylene

High-Density Polyethylene

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene

Polyethylene Compounding

Polyethylene Producers

Market

Polypropylene

Polypropylene Copolymers

Typical Applications

Polypropylene Properties

Polypropylene Compounding

Polypropylene Producers

Market

Polyvinyl Chloride

Forms and Grades of PVC

Chlorinated PVC

Applications for PVC

PVC Processing

PVC Producers

PVC Compounding

Market

PVC's Environmental Issues

Polystyrene

General Purpose Polystyrene

Polystyrene Producers

Polystyrene Processing

Market

Polystyrene Environmental Issue

Thermoplastic Polyesters

Major PET Applications

PET Competition Pricing

Modified PET Resins

PET Producers

Market

Engineering Thermoplastics

Polybutylene Terephthalate

Polyamides (Nylons)

Polycarbonates

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

Other Engineering Resins

Market

Thermoplastic Elastomers

Thermoplastic Olefins

Copolyester Types

Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Styrene Block Copolymers

Chapter 5 Biocompounds

Starch-based Plastics

Producers

Applications

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)

Producers

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)

Polylactide (Polylactic Acid, or PLA) Plastics

Producers

Applications

Castor Oil Polymers

Cellulose

Soybean Oils

Bio-derived Polyethylene

1, 3-Propanediol (PDO)

Producers

New Developments in Bioplastics

Chapter 6 Plastic Additives

Market Estimates and Forecasts

Additive Usage in Thermoplastics

Antistatic Agents

Types of Antistatic Agents

Antistatic Agent Developments

Antioxidants

Antioxidant Developments

Biocides

Biocide Developments

Blowing Agents

Physical Blowing Agents

Chemical Blowing Agents

Market Estimate and Forecast

Developments of Blowing Agents

Colorants

Titanium Dioxide

Masterbatches

Precolored Resin

Dry Color

Liquid Color

Single Pigment Concentrates (SPC)

Issues in Plastic Coloring

Developments in Plastic Coloring

Coupling Agents

Defoaming Agents

Emulsifiers

Flame/Fire Retardants

Organic Bromine Compounds

Antimony Oxide

Alumina Trihydrate (ATH)

Chlorinated Compounds

Molybdenum and Magnesium Compounds

Phosphorus Compounds

Market Estimate and Forecast

Flame-Retardant Regulatory Issues

Developments in Flame Retardants

Heat Stabilizers

Antimony Mercaptides

Mixed-Metal Heat Stabilizers

Lead-based Heat Stabilizers

Organotin Heat Stabilizers

Organosulfide Heat Stabilizers

Developments of Heat Stabilizers

Market Estimate and Forecast

Impact Modifiers

Acrylic Impact Modifiers

Chlorinated Polyethylene and Other Elastomers

Developments in Impact Modifiers

Lubricants

Chemicals Used

Plasticizers

Developments in Plasticizers

PVC Processing Aids

Slip Agents

Surfactants

Thickeners

Thixotropes

UV Stabilizers

Plastic Resistance to UV

Chemical Types of UV Stabilizers

Oxidation Disintegration Initiators

Chapter 7 Fillers and Reinforcements

Property Profiles

Characteristics of Fillers and Reinforcements

Filler/Reinforcement Usage with Specific Resins

Reinforcements

Glass Fiber Reinforcements

Carbon Fiber Reinforcements

Carbon Nanotube Reinforcements

Natural Fiber Reinforcements

Nonfibrous Reinforcements

Inorganic Fillers

Alumina Trihydrate

Barium Sulfate

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Sulfate

Kaolins

Market Estimates and Forecasts

Chapter 8 Masterbatches

Overview

Definition

Industry Structure

Market Estimate and Forecast

Some New Developments

Chapter 9 Machinery and Equipment

Selection Criteria

Types of Materials

Types of Compounding Equipment

Batch Mixing Equipment

Continuous Compounding Equipment

Size-Reduction Equipment

Major Compounding Equipment Manufacturers

Chapter 10 Types of Compounders

Toll Compounding

Custom Compounding

Proprietary Compounding

Concentrate Compounding

Affiliated Compounding and Compounders

Chapter 11 Industry Structure

Resin Producers

Processors

Important Variables and Considerations

Leading Plastics Processors

Independent Compounders

Trends

Leading Thermoplastic Compounders

Chapter 12 Company Profiles

A. SCHULMAN INC.

AARON INDUSTRIES CORP.

ACLO COMPOUNDERS

ACTON TECHNOLOGIES INC.

ADDIVANT

ADELL PLASTICS INC.

ADVANCED COMPOSITES INC.

AGC CHEMICALS AMERICAS INC.

AM STABILIZERS CORP.

AMCO POLYMERS

AMERICHEM INC.

AMETEK WESTCHESTER PLASTICS

AMPACET CORP.

AMTOPP DIVISION

ASCEND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS LLC

AXIALL CORP.

BASF CORP.

BAY POLYMER CORP.

BIRCH PLASTICS INC.

CHROMA CORP.

CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD., MASTERBATCHES DIVISION

COLORTECH INC.

COVESTRO

DECEUNINCK NORTH AMERICA LLC

THE DOW CHEMICAL CO.

DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS INC.

DYNEON LLC

E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND CO.

EMERALD PERFORMANCE MATERIALS LLC

EMS-CHEMIE (NORTH AMERICA) INC.

EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL CO.

FERRO CORP.

FOSTER CORP.

HERITAGE PLASTICS INC.

INFINITY LTL ENGINEERED COMPOUNDS

INVISTA

KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS INC.

THE LUBRIZOL CORP.

LYONDELLBASELL ADVANCED POLYOLEFINS

MEXICHEM SPECIALTY COMPOUNDS INC.

MRC POLYMERS INC.

MUEHLSTEIN NORTH AMERICA

NOVA POLYMERS INC.

PENN COLOR INC.

PLASTIC RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY INC.

PLASTICOMP INC.

THE PLASTICS GROUP OF AMERICA

PLASTICS PLUS INC.

POLYFIL CORP.

POLYFUSION LLC

POLYMER RESOURCES LTD.

POLYONE CORP.

POLYRAM U.S.A. AND CANADA

RHEIN CHEMIE ADDITIVES

ROSCOM INC.

RTP COMPANY

SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS/LNP

STANDRIDGE COLOR CORP.

TECHMER PM LLC/TECHMER ES

TECHNICAL POLYMERS LLC

TEKNI-PLEX INC.

TEKNOR APEX CO.

THEMIX PLASTICS INC.

VALTRIS SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

WELLMAN ENGINEERING RESINS

Chapter 13 Appendix: Acronyms

List of Tables

Summary Table : North American Market Volume for Thermoplastic Compounds, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 1 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin, by Plastic Type, Through 2022

Table 2 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for LDPE, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 3 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for HDPE, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 4 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for LLDPE, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 5 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for Polypropylene, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 6 : Some Typical Rigid PVC Applications

Table 7 : Some Typical Flexible PVC Applications

Table 8 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for PVC, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 9 : Fabrication Methods and Some Uses for Polystyrene

Table 10 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for Polystyrene, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 11 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for Thermoplastic Polyester (PET), by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 12 : North American Market Volume for Commodity Thermoplastic Resin for Engineering Thermoplastics, by Type of Compounder, Through 2022

Table 13 : Examples of Bioplastics

Table 14 : North American Market Volume for Plastics Additives, by Major Types, Through 2022

Table 15 : Selected Additive Usage in Thermoplastics

Table 16 : North American Market Volume for Plastic Blowing Agents, by Type, Through 2022

Table 17 : North American Market Volume for Plastic Flame Retardants, by Type, Through 2022

Table 18 : North American Market Volume for Heat Stabilizers, by Chemistry, Through 2022

Table 19 : Profiles of Filler/Reinforcement Characteristics

Table 20 : Overview of Characteristics and Applications of Fillers/Reinforcements

Table 21 : Overview of Filler/Reinforcement Usage with Different Thermoplastics

Table 22 : North American Market Volume for Reinforced Plastics Glass Fiber,* by Type, Through 2022

Table 23 : Global Carbon Fiber Suppliers and Estimated Capacity, 2022

Table 24 : Global Market Volume for PAN-Based Carbon Fibers, by Key Markets, Through 2022

Table 25 : Global Market for Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers, by Type, Through 2022

Table 26 : Global Market for Natural Fiber-Plastic Composites, by Type, Through 2022

Table 27 : North American Market Volume for Plastic Fillers, by Type, Through 2022

Table 28 : North American Market Volume for Plastic Masterbatches, by Type, Through 2022

Table 29 : Batch Compounding Equipment

Table 30 : Major Compounding Equipment Manufacturers

Table 31 : Leading Blow Molders

Table 32 : Leading Injection Molders

Table 33 : Leading Pipe, Profile and Tubing Extruders

Table 34 : Leading Film/Sheet Producers

Table 35 : Leading Thermoformers

Table 36 : Leading Rotational Molders

Table 37 : Leading North American Thermoplastic Compounders and Concentrate Producers

List of Figures

Summary Figure : North American Market Volume for Thermoplastic Compounds, by Type of Compounder, 2016-2022

The North American Market for Plastics Compounding

Report Scope:

This report covers the compounding of major thermoplastic resins. The high-volume commodity resins include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyesters (primarily PET). Engineering thermoplastics (ETPs) covered include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylons (polyamides), polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers (ABS) and some real specialties like polyacetals and polysulfones. This report also includes an introduction to thermoplastic elastomers and some biocompounds—plastics that are made from plants instead of hydrocarbons. It excludes thermosetting resins since they have different chemistries and are usually processed differently.

The plastics compounding market is segmented by each of the above resins and by each of the three plastics compounding groups. Applications and markets by volume in pounds or value in dollars are estimated for the years 2016 and 2017 and a five-year forecast to 2022. Major resin producers, key plastics processors and independent compounders are identified. We discuss the activities, product lines and other information for the major independent compounders.

Our market estimates are based on manufacturers’ total revenues and are mostly for markets for the United States or North America. Other features in this report include the following:
- Review of key plastics additives used in plastics compounding.
- Important information on major fillers/reinforcements.
- Developments in carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes for reinforcement of thermoplastics.
- Advances in natural fiber reinforcements.
- Regulatory and environmental developments shaping compounds, ranging from phthalate plasticizers to halogenated flame retardants.
- Key suppliers of plastics additives and fillers/reinforcements.
- Notes of some recent advances in plastics compounding and machinery.

Report Includes:

- 21 data tables and 16 additional tables
- An overview of the global plastics compounding market
- Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2016 and 2017, and projections of CAGRs through 2022.
- Coverage of the major thermoplastic resins and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs); resins, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene, polystyrene, and engineering thermoplastics (ETPs): the major representatives being nylons, polycarbonates, polyacetals, PET, and PBT; the report also includes bio compounds, or plastics that are made from plants instead of hydrocarbons.
- Identifications of major resin producers, key plastics processors, and independent compounders, along with activities, product lines, and estimated sales for the major independent compounders.
- Reviews of key plastics additives used in plastics compounding and advances in plastics compounding equipment.
- Information on major fillers/reinforcements.
- Developments in carbon fibre and carbon nanotubes, and advances in natural fibres.
- Company profiles of major key players in the market, including Advanced Composites Inc., Basf Corp., Clariant International Ltd., The Dow Chemical Co., ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Plastics Plus Inc. and Polymer Resources Ltd.