Global nameplate ethylene capacity is predicted to increase to about 145 mln tons by 2010, while global demand will remain essentially flat at about 115 mln tons, creating excess capacity of more than 20%. Until 2008, global demand for ethylene had been growing at a reasonable average rate of 4-4.5% pa, driven by Asia and China in particular. Ethylene scenario in the next 5 years is expected to be uncertain, with lower capacity utilization impacting price realization adversely. The industry is expected to react to oversupply by continuing to implement production cutbacks. Read in Overcapacity expected in ethylene until 2013

With an increasing global customer base, food retailing is transforming. However, with a move toward globalization, food packaging requires longer shelf life, monitoring safety and quality as per international standards. Conventional packing will be replaced with multi-functional intelligent packaging to improve the food quality with the application of nanotechnology. New packaging solutions will increasingly focus on food safety by controlling microbial growth, delaying oxidation, improving tamper visibility and convenience. This will drive use of nanotechnology in packaging rapidly in the next few years, though application of nanotechnology in food packaging is currently at the developmental stage. Read more in Bright future for nanotechnology in food & beverage packaging

A decline in consumption of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in China in 2008 has rebounded at a healthy pace in 2009. China's PE and PP consumption rose to around 16 mln tons and 13 mln tons respectively in 2009, up 38% and 27% from 2008. China’s capacity to produce polyethylene and polypropylene will expand at a double-digit pace in 2010, while demand growth is expected to ease. Besides supply growth in China, Asian PE and PP markets are bracing for a tidal wave of resin supply in H2-2010 from the Middle East as well. However, the impact of new capacities on prices remains unclear. Read more in PE & PP grow in 2009 in China, but supply to outpace demand growth in 2010

Styrene market grew well from 2001 until 2007, but growth was weak in 2008 on slowdown in global economies coupled with destocking through the entire styrene vale chain. While experts differ in growth projections, there is a general consensus that styrene will see growth in the next few years. Some experts believe that from 2009 to 2013 styrene will achieve an average growth of about 3-4%. During the next five years, major capacity additions for styrene will occur, mostly in China, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Styrene oversupplies have resulted in industry rationalization in styrene monomer and derivative capacity. Read Growth in styrene that slowed in 2008, expected to remain slow until 2013

High performance polymers have been among the fastest-growing product group for many years, on newer applications driven by innovation and product development. Market interest is particularly high in these materials because they offer suppliers high margins at a time when the rest of the industry is facing rising raw-material costs and dwindling profits. Important factors driving demand include product development and innovation, increasing performance requirements, new applications, and the effect of regulatory controls. To know about the various applications, growth sectors, production capacities, distribution patterns, market players, etc, read Growth rate of High performance polymers continues to surpass GDP growth

Nanoclays, in commercial use for the past several years, reduce relative heat release as they promote surface char, create an anti-dripping effect and reduce smoke generation. They also allow a lower loading of mineral flame retardant in non-halogenated formulations. Recent research & developments have been focused on nanomaterials as part of the non halogenated flame retardant systems with nanoclays and carbon nanotubes as an aid. Read in Nanomaterials and MWCNTs offer advantage as an aid to non halogen flame retardant systems

Bags made from Polyethylene are found to be less damaging in the environment terms when compared to bags based on biodegradable polymers that ae currently available in the market in the European region, as per a study. Another study states that oxo-degradable polymers have the potential to do more harm to the environment than good as they degradation in landfills may not be possible in the absence of light or oxygen. Many experts believe that long standing efforts for the prevention of littering could actually be damaged by giving users of plastic items the impression that they might vanish harmlessly if discarded in the environment. Read in PE bags less damaging to environment vs bags based on biodegradable polymers?

Increasing interest in high-performance building solutions is expected to drive growth of plastic composite materials in the construction industry. The combination of their distinctly different components can make new high-strength, lightweight materials with corrosion resistance, long-term durability and low maintenance requirements. Plastic composites also offer design flexibility, good vibration damping and resistance to fatigue and temperature extremes, allowing designers and manufacturers to substitute traditional materials with plastic composites. Read in Plastic composite building products offer advantages in construction industry

3 layer pipes made of PP-R with a glass fiber reinforced middle layer are being offered as an alternative for hot and cold water transport in the building and construction industry. The glass fiber reinforcement offers various advantages such as increase in stability and e-modulus, reduction in lengthwise expansion of the pipes that consequently lessens their deflection, among ohers. Read in 3 layer pipes from random copolymer and homopolymer for use in hot water application