Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates find many applications.
In the plastics industry, polycarbonate sheet is one of the most versatile materials on the market. Used for everything from medical equipment to food processing, polycarbonate has a number of specific benefits that cause them to be a favorite among builders and product manufacturers. Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic with stable dimensions which allow excellent kind of impact resistance. High-performance properties of this plastic polymer make it a leading plastic material for a number of applications.
Polycarbonates are high-performing thermoplastics which are highly suitable in building and construction applications. Polycarbonate material possesses properties, such as lightweight, high optical clarity, durability, excellent thermal stability, high-impact and high-heat resistance, high transparency, cold formability, and also possess excellent flammability resistance, making it one of the most used plastic types in construction applications.
Polycarbonate accounts for a substantial share of the global plastic materials market and its dominance is likely to increase during the forecast period. This can mainly be attributed to the high growth in demand from major end-use industries such as automotive, electronics, and consumer goods. The wide scope of applications for polycarbonate in various flourishing end-use industries such as medical devices, packaging, and construction is fueling the growth of the market.
Asia-Pacific has the highest share in the market, accounting for approximately 59% of the global market share in 2017. An increase in the income of the middle-class population has resulted in an increase in the demand for electronic components and automobiles in Asia-Pacific, in turn, making the region an area of immense potential and opportunities for the polycarbonate market.
The Global Polycarbonate Market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.39% during the forecast period (2018-2023). In 2017, Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market, by region with approximately 59% of the global market share. The electrical & electronics segment dominates the global polycarbonate market with an approximate 46% global market share in 2017, and it is also estimated to register the fastest CAGR through the forecast period.
The wide scope of applications for polycarbonate in various flourishing end-use industries such as medical devices, packaging, and construction is fueling the growth of the market. Globally, polycarbonate material is used in a wide range of structural, aesthetic, and safety applications, especially in the automotive industry. This material lends itself to innovation in automotive parts and other internal components such as glazing, front-end body panels, and bumper fascia. Moreover, in the electrical and electronics industry, Flame retardant and better di-electric properties have led to the use of polycarbonate in a vast number of consumer electronics. This is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. However, volatile raw materials prices are anticipated to limit growth during the forecast period.
