Chinese polycarbonate market set for growth

Chinese polycarbonate market set for growth

The latest findings from Singapore's Plastics & Chemicals Intelligence Asia (PCIA) and Japan's Techno Information Center (TIC) forecast average growth of 10.4% on a compounded basis between 2002 and 2008 in the polycarbonate market in China (including Hong Kong).

Overall demand in China and Hong Kong is forecast to rise from 293,000 tonnes in 2002 to 530,000 tonnes in 2008. According to the report, the fastest growing market is forecast to be optical media, where annual compounded growth of 16.7% is forecast. However, growth in the electrical/electronic and office automation equipment sector will be slowest, but supported by increased notebook computer and liquid crystal display and TV production in China.

With new polycarbonate capacity scheduled to come on stream in 2006 in China and elsewhere, the growth in demand in China will play a key role in determining the global supply/demand balance. PCIA predicts that assuming the Chinese facilities of Bayer and Teijin are operating on a commercial basis in 2006 there will be an average global rate (based on nameplate capacity) of 62% in 2006 and 67% in 2008.