Consultants forecast average annual growth rate in US at 4.2%

Fluoropolymers will have the fastest growth rate of any fluorine-based products in the US market over the next five years, according to Business Communications Co.

The US consultancy said consumption of PTFE, PVDF and fluoroelastomers will increase from 212 million pounds (96,000 tonnes) in 2003 to 221 million pounds (100,000 tonnes) in 2004.

In 2009, it forecasts demand to reach 272 million pounds (123,000 tonnes). This annual average growth rate of 4.2% outstrips growth rates in the larger US fluorochemicals markets.

BCC also points out fluoropolymers have a greater market value than fluorochemicals, with even the cheapest such as PTFE and PVDF costing about $7/lb (E13/kg).