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The plastics market is a mass market. Since 1950, worldwide plastics production has increased continuously from 3 billion liters to 220 billion liters. In 2004, the most important producers were North America, holding 26% of the market share, Europe with 24%, Asia 29% and Japan 6.5%. While consumption in 1990 was around 86 million tons, it had increased to 190 million tons by 2004. Consumption is estimated to grow by 36% to 259 million tons by 2010 (with the largest increase in Asia). In 2004, the plastics market in Germany had a 6.4% share of the industrial aggregate value (1.071 billion €). Production during the same period was 17.5 million tons, equaling 19.9 billion € in sales volume. Since 2001, production of plastics has grown on average by 4% annually, sales volume by 5%.
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In conclusion: The importance of plastics as working material has increased immensely in almost all areas of application during the past years. Other materials have been ousted in more and more areas of application, where the advantages of plastics have proven to be superior to other materials like metal or wood. Future developments are estimated to be similar: Plastics are considered to possess a continuing and immense growth potential. The plastics market is composed of the following segments: Plastics Producers (18.1 billion € sales volume (2003)), Plastics Processing (42.2 billion € sales volume (2003)) and mechanical engineering (7.1 billion € sales volume (2003)). Packaging is still the largest area for the use of plastics. Its easy processing qualities, high flexibility and low weight predestine plastics for capturing an even bigger share than its current 50% in the packaging industry. But this exemplary view is also true for the other areas depicted in the graph: All signs are "Go" for continuing growth.
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