Polycarbonate (PC) manufacturers are closely monitoring market dynamics, as demand is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. According to market analysts, global PC demand is projected to increase at an average annual rate of around 8% through 2011, with production equipment operating at near-full capacity—close to 90%. This sustained growth has led to increased investment in new production facilities, with over 200,000 tons of new PC capacity added annually.
Roger Rumer, vice president of Bayer MaterialScience, highlighted that the surge in demand is largely driven by rising consumption in emerging markets, particularly for consumer goods. It is anticipated that approximately 300,000 tons per year of new PC production capacity will come online between 2007 and 2008.
Despite this positive outlook, Rumer expressed caution regarding profit margins. He noted that PC producers continue to face challenges due to high costs of key raw materials like benzene and phenol, which remain near historical highs. Additionally, unexpected shutdowns of some phenol plants have further tightened supply and pushed prices upward.
The Asia-Pacific region remains the fastest-growing market for polycarbonate, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 10%. In North America and Europe, demand is expected to grow by 5% to 6% annually, with Western Europe lagging behind Eastern Europe in terms of growth.
Bayer MaterialScience plans to launch a second PC production line in Shanghai, with a capacity of 100,000 tons per year, before the end of 2008. The timeline depends on market conditions. Meanwhile, SABIC Innovative Plastics is evaluating potential investments in Asia for new PC production. The company’s subsidiary, SABIC Kayan, is currently building a 260,000-ton/year facility in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, expected to start operations in 2009.
In South Korea, Hunan Petrochemical Company is set to complete its 65,000-ton/year PC plant in Yeosu by the fourth quarter of 2008. The project, costing $192 million, marks the company's first dedicated PC facility.
According to industry analysis, construction, automotive, and multimedia sectors remain key drivers of PC demand. Additionally, PC/ABS blends used in green buildings and recyclable consumer products are growing rapidly. Demand for flame-retardant materials in the IT sector is also strong, reflecting ongoing innovation and sustainability trends in the market.
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