US engineering plastic demand will rise 3.1 percent annually through 2012, driven by the ongoing replacement of metal parts with high-performance plastic. ABS, polycarbonate and nylon will stay the largest volume types, with polycarbonate leading gains based on opportunities in motor vehicles, medical products and construction. This study analyzes the 4.7 billion pound US engineering plastic industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 1997, 2002 and 2007, and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by resin (e.g., acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polycarbonate, nylon, thermoplastic polyesters, polyacetal, fluoropolymers, polyphenylene oxide, polysulfones) and market (e.g., electrical and electronic, motor vehicles, consumer and institutional). The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 36 industry players, including SABIC, DuPont and Bayer.
