Global Market Value of Plasticizers to Increase to more than USD 19.5 Bn in 2020: Ceresana Research

In order to render brittle materials soft, flexible or ductile, millions of tons of plasticizers are processed every year. Ceresana forecasts global market value of plasticizers to increase to more than US$19.5 billion in 2020; major growth markets will be Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe.

The by far most important application area for plasticizers are Plastics, products made from PVC in particular. In 2012, about 87% of global plasticizers consumption was processed in plastic products, the majority being films and cables. Demand for plasticizers in the production of rubber products, paints and varnishes as well as adhesives is considerably lower.

The highest growth rates we continue to expect for the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) but the USA are also likely to increase demand for plasticizers during the next eight years after losses had been incurred in the past. Demand in Western Europe is anticipated to hardly exceed stagnation; however, an increasing demand for phthalate-free plasticizers will stimulate the market.

Health concerns of consumers and possible further bans on the use of phthalates lead to an increased demand for phthalate-free and biobased plasticizers. The leading market research institute Ceresana expects phthalate plasticizers, especially DEHP, to lose even higher market shares at