Frost & Sullivan is forecasting growth in high-performance thermosets

The global market for reinforced thermosets is forecast to grow from a level of E1.15bn recorded in 2004 to reach E1.41bn by 2011, according to Frost & Sullivan. The research group said in a new report that product development in high-performance applications in the automotive, aerospace and wind energy markets is driving growth.

Senior research analyst Hariharan Ramasubramanian said: “New niches are emerging and companies that are able to identify those niches and offer product improvements in existing applications will gain over the long term.” Unsaturated polyester resins, used in corrosion-resistant and high-performance applications, currently have a 74% share of market revenues. Epoxy resins will also show growth potential in aerospace and automotive applications.

One of the emerging innovations in thermosets cited by Frost & Sullivan is the Polygiene technology developed by Perstorp Compounds that combats harmful viruses such as SARS.