Report title: Thermoplastic concentrates in North America

Date of publication: 2008

Overview: Continuing AMI’s ongoing programme of research into global concentrate (masterbatch) markets, this report updates developments in this important and rapidly changing market. The North American concentrates industry has seen more changes in the past five years than in the previous two decades. Market volatility, fluctuating raw material costs and rapidly changing customer demands has led to difficult and challenging conditions for North American concentrate producers. Some companies have managed to grow and continue their rapid development, others retrenched and stabilized their market posture while yet others saw their fortunes fade, with some participants exiting the business completely. In such a difficult and volatile market, companies involved need to have a thorough grasp of these trends and the impact it will have on future market development and industry structure. This report looks in detail at these trends, identifies concentrate usage by the plastics processing industry and assesses the supply situation in terms of local production and trade.

Product scope: Black, white, colour and additive concentrates for use with LDPE/LLDPE, HDPE, polypropylene, PVC, polystyrene, ABS/SAN, PET, nylon, polycarbonate and other engineering resins

Market scope: Film (liners, grocery sacks, food packaging, non-food packaging, personal care, agricultural film, other); Containers (personal care, others); Caps and clsoures; Disposable tableware; Fiber; Transportation (automotive, other), Construction (vinyl siding, other); Wire and cable; Electronics/appliances; Extrusion coating; Other converted products; Compounds.

Geographic scope: USA, Canada and Mexico.

Price: The full subscription price is USD 14,500. The fee includes five printed copies of the report, a CD-ROM with the principle supporting data plus up to three days consulting time to answer specific questions or develop additional market informationinformation: For any other questions please contact Andrew Reynolds: apr@amiplastics.com