Executive Summary

It is estimated that the total apparent UK market in plastics processing has grown in value terms from £10.2bn in 1992, to £13.7bn in 1996, giving an increase of 35.1% over this period.

Plastics processing includes plastics packaging, which accounts for approximately 20% of apparent market size, 16% for plastic building products, 20% for semi-manufactures (resins and moulding powders) and 44% for the `other' categories of products manufactured in plastic materials, which comprehensively covers all types of consumer, commercial and industrial products.

Packaging is the single biggest major outlet for plastic materials, which are converted into a wide range of flexible film, semi-rigid and rigid shapes. This is a sector where plastic is almost indispensable, but its future growth, in common with other packaging materials, is to be restrained both by European Union (EU) directives and by voluntary cuts in consumption throughout the whole packaging chain.

The building products market is different as, unlike packaging, which is usually thrown away after only one trip, the plastic products are intended to be long lasting and are used in below ground infrastructure such as tubes and pipes, and in structures above ground, e.g. windows, doors, gutters and drain pipes, plumbing kits, flooring, other fixtures and fittings. Growth in demand depends essentially on the amount of construction and civil engineering work that is commissioned. Because construction is a big industry, the substitution of plastics for other materials has ensured the industry is second only to packaging, as a major source of demand, but only recently has its prospects improved.

The `other categories' are collectively the biggest and most rapidly growing sources of demand. They include the engineering and consumer goods industries, particularly motor vehicles, other transport, electrical and electronic engineering who have a growing requirement for the advanced plastics that are now being produced.

It is anticipated that total apparent market size will increase from £13.7bn in 1996, to £16.2bn in 2001 at 1996 prices, which represents a total increase of 17.9%.

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