During the global recession (2008-2009), the growth rates of the world polycarbonate (PC) market declined, primarily owing to the deterioration of growth in various end-user industries, especially construction and automotive. In 2010, the overall PC production managed to withstand the negative impact of the crisis and returned to a stable growth trajectory. In 2012, the world PC supply surpassed the 3.75 million tonnes mark, registering a YoY increase by around 147,000 tonnes. Asia-Pacific became the leading PC supplier, accounting for nearly 50% of the world total production volume. It was followed by Europe and North America. The top five PC manufacturing countries in 2012 were the US, Germany, China, Japan and South Korea; their total PC production volume stood at more than 1.79 million tonnes.
Global PC production broken down by country, 2012
Bayer, Sabic Innovative Plastics, Teijin, Mitsubishi Group of Companies, Saudi Kayan Petrochemical, Styron, Formosa Idemitsu Petrochemical, LG Polycarbonate, Thai Polycarbonate, Samsung Cheil Industries, Chimei-Asahi Corp, Samyang Kasei, Sumika Styron Polycarbonate and Kazanorgsintez JSC are amid the dominant PC manufacturers.
In 2012, world annual production capacities of PC exceeded 4.89 million tones, with Asia-Pacific accounting for almost half of the overall capacity.
World PC capacities broken down by region, 2012
During 2009-2012, the world PC consumption witnessed stable growth, and in 2012, went beyond 3.75 million tonnes. Asia-Pacific was the leading PC consumer in the world. Electronics, sheet/film, optical media, housewares and auto industries were the major PC end-user sectors in 2012. In the same year, Asia-Pacific was the dominant PC exporter and importer.
The world PC production will likely see sustained growth in the upcoming years. It is predicted to touch the 4.4 million tonnes mark by the end of 2016. In 2017, the rate of capacity utilization for the total industry is forecast to reach 80%.
More information on the PC market can be found in the research study “Polycarbonate (PC): 2014 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2018”.