The Plastics Industry: Facts, Statistics and Future trends

THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY a source of jobs, growth, innovation and sustainability. 2011 at a glance: UK production 4.8 2.5 3k 7.5k number of primary processors million tonnes million tonnes companies in the plastics industry of materials were processed of plastic materials were produced £19 billion £13 billion £6.7 billion plastics industry turnover processor sales turnover value of exports European plastics demand 2013 ELECTRONICS 5.6% AUTOMOTIVE AGRICULTURE 46.3 8.5% 4.3% million tonnes PACKAGING 39.6% CONSTRUCTION OTHERS 20.3% 21.7% Plastic production in Europe (Mtonne) 56 55 57 65 2009 2002 2012 58 57 2007 2011 2013 The demand for plastics in Europe is highly concentrated in these five countries.. 米 Germany Italy France United Kingdom Spain 25.4% 14.3% 9.7% 7.6% 7.5% 2013 Plastic demands in Europe by Sector 39.6% 20.3% 8.5% 5.6% packaging construction automotive electronics Number of EU employees in 2013 1,267,000 中 帝 忡 中 中 中 中 市 忡忡 市 巾 忡 市 忡忡 中 中 中 中 中 中 市 134,000 中 會 中 中 中 中 Plastics manufacturers Plastics converters 1.45 million 60,000 €320 billion employment opportunities were given in Europe. companies operated in the plastics industry turnover figure in 2013 for the European plastics Industry. Recycling and Energy progress 40% 27% more plastics waste have been recovered through recycling in the past 10 years. more energy was recovered through plastics recycling in the past 10 years. The first new family of polymers Polymers are in the most everything, yet this is the first new family of polymers created in decades. Scientists from IBM Research have successfully demonstrated these new polymers to have the following properties: A light weight stronger than bone self-healing 100% recyclable solvent resistant These new experimental polymers could deliver cheaper, lighter, stronger and recyclable materials saving money and decreasing waste in our landfills. Sources: 59tics http://www.bpf.co.uk/Industry/Default.aspx http://issuu.com/plasticseuropeebook/docs/final_plastics_the_facts_2014_19122 http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/182583-ibm-discovērs-new-class-of-ultra-tough-self-healing- recyclable-plastics-that-could-redefine-almost-every-industry