Ceresana analyses the global market for plasticisers
Ceresana has analysed the the global market for plasticisers. The market research company forecasts the demand for this material to increase to about 10.5 billion tonnes worldwide until 2026.
Plasticisers are one of the best-selling chemicals. They are needed to make brittle plastics, rubbers, paints and coatings as well as adhesives more smooth, flexible, and soft. The latest, already fifth plasticiser report by the market research company Ceresana forecasts the demand for this controversial but so far indispensable material to increase to about 10.5 billion tonnes worldwide until 2026.
Alternatives to phthalates are in demand
Since phthalates are considered as harmful to health and environment and were already banned from many applications, processors of plasticisers are increasingly looking for phthalate-free alternatives. However, DEHP (bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) was still the most frequently used plasticiser type in 2018 with 3.24 million tonnes. About one third of the plasticiser market was accounted for by the phthalates DINP (diisononyl phthalate) and DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate). However, phthalates are likely to continue to lose market shares in the years to come. In contrast, analysts at Ceresana expect demand for phthalate-free plasticisers to increase by 3.3% to about 2.3 million tonnes.
Major consumer is Asia
Plasticiser processing in Asia-Pacific accounted for about 60% of global demand in 2018. Due to above-average growth rates, demand in this world region will presumably rise to about 6.5 million tonnes in the next years. Asia is followed by Western Europe with currently 12% and North America with 11% of plasticiser demand.
The complete report can be found here.
Image source: Pixabay.
