AVK predicts the market will not improve until early 2004

AVK predicts the market will not improve until early 2004
By Lou Reade and David Vink

Production of glass-reinforced plastics will shrink this year in Europe.

AVK, the German industry association that represents GRP producers, estimates total production in 2003 will fall by 0.4% to reach 988,000 tonnes. The market is not expected to improve until early next year.

The lack of growth was blamed on ongoing slumps in the automotive and construction markets. Windmill blade production, which had boosted GRP figures in 2002, also fell this year.

The use of open-mould processes – involving labour-intensive hand lay-up – is expected to decline by 2.4% this year.

Production rose by 0.8% to reach 992,000 tonnes in 2002. This was attributed to high demand for GRP pipes and a slight increase in SMC production. Transportation grew to account for 32.5% of applications, just behind construction at 33.9%.