主题：Long Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics

With an annual growth rate of more than three times that of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product, Long Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (LFT) are moving from an emerging market to a maturing sector with plenty of growth potential left to realize, according to a new study by Townsend Polymer Services & Information.

The projected LFT global growth rate is 12 percent annually for 2006-2011. By 2011, at today’s average LFT selling prices, more than $400 million in new revenue will be created in the global market.

“The LFT market has shifted from a seller push to a buyer pull,” said Fred Gastrock , who has more than 40 years of experience in business research, market development and competitor/customer analysis. “It has moved beyond an emerging market, but it is not yet mature. It is heading toward commoditization, and will likely transition into a mature business in the next five to 10 years.”

Gastrock called LFT a “highly attractive market in both pellet and in-line processing.”

Gastrock’s intimate knowledge of the LFT industry comes from the months of research he and Ron Babinsky, business manager for the plastics additives and specialties consulting practice at Townsend, conducted while producing the multi-client study, “The Global LFT Market.” This is the third time Townsend has taken an in-depth look at the LFT industry.
Throughout their research, Gastrock and Babinsky discovered the use of LFT materials, initially driven by the European market, has now spread to all regions of the world.

China represents a particularly large growth potential, according to the report. In 2006, China accounted for only 5 percent of total worldwide LFT consumption, ranking it fourth behind Europe, North America and Japan. By 2011, China is expected to surpass Japan, which currently consumes 11 percent of the world’s LFT.

Pellets, concentrates and in-line compounding share in the future growth, but not equally. While in Europe and North America both pellet and in-line processing are used, in Asia, pellet processing is currently the technology of choice, Gastrock said.

Polypropylene remains the dominant resin used in LFT, and the automotive industry continues to account for the majority of end-use applications. About 80 percent of the LFT demand comes from the auto industry.

The growth in the LFT market is largely driven by automotive producers looking to reduce the weight of their vehicles, and, therefore, reduce fuel consumption, Gastrock said. Using LFT to replace metal allows suppliers to integrate parts, thus greatly reducing assembly costs.

“LFT is really taking off in conversion of North American door modules in the automotive industry, with over 35 percent annual growth and strong demand in appliance components globally,” Gastrock said.

Globally, five application areas – front end modules, instrument panels, door modules and underbody shields in automotive and general/industrial goods in the non-automotive sector – will account for nearly half of the LFT volume increase in the next five years, according to the Townsend study.

Low cost producers will win most of the volume growth, Babinsky said. “This is inevitable with production overcapacity, high growth rates, automotive volume influence and savvy negotiations by buyers with knowledge of the benefits of LFT,” he added. “Niche suppliers will seek margins in product differentiation.”

In addition to its in-depth analysis of the LFT industry, the Townsend report also provides more than 100 profiles of pellet supplier, pellet molders and inline compounders.