This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Optimismo de la industria del plástico china pero no sin obstáculos

China is aware of the importance of developing its own technology

Optimism of the Chinese plastic industry but not without obstacles

Nerea Gorriti29/09/2008

September 29, 2008

The last annual report published by the Association of the industry of the transformation of China plastics (CPPIA), during Chinaplas 2008, presents the latest trends of development of the industry of plastic in China. The report, presented by Liao Zhengpin, President of CPPIA, Chinaplas 2008 in April, found that production and exports of plastic products, as well as the number of companies of plastic on a large scale, have grown up in the Asian country.

Photography: Michel Meynsbrughen.

China, the second largest manufacturer of synthetic resins, it depends less and less imported materials and machinery. According to the report, it has reached self-sufficiency in the supply of machinery for molding by blowing and hollow bodies.

According to Liao, Chinese companies are aware of the importance of developing its own technology. For this reason, more and more, companies invest in r & d. Also called attention to see the proliferation of clusters that are formed for high-tech industries.

Despite the good results, Liao notes several obstacles. He said that local companies have developed a very limited capacity for high-performance plastic machinery, and have failed to respond to the growing demands of the domestic market demand.

In parallel, the additives in China manufacturing industry is undeveloped, except the plasticizers.

Many manufacturers of additives in China are small and primitive facilities that produce homogeneous products, intended for universal use and low-quality products.

It continues the growth of plastic products

2007 was a good year for the industry of plastic products, with some exports which reached a value of $ 23,300 million, an increase of 15.35 per cent per annum.

Of various plastic products, the production of plastic profiles is that arouses more interest.

According to Liao, thanks to the re-establishment of economic zones in the Northeast and Northwest of China, as well as the coastal area of Tianjin, and policies that ensure a saving of energy and raw materials, doors and Windows are produced using plastic profiles. It is expected that sales of such products to increase between 10 and 15 per cent next year. In addition, also provides a strong growth of environmentally friendly plastic pipes.

It is expected that the PP replace the EP in the leadership of the list of most consumed plastics in China next year

PP consumption grows

In the past year, the total volume of the production of plastics reached nearly 3.070 million tonnes, representing an increase of 18, 54 per cent per annum. Sustained growth in the volume of exports, imports and apparent consumption, with a dependence on the import of 41.4 per cent appreciated. In 2007, the polyolefins accounted for more than half of the consumption of plastics. The apparent consumption of PP and PE is high, approaching the 2.1600 million tonnes. With a significant increase, it is expected that the PP (increase from 15, 84 per cent), replaces the PE in the leadership of the list of most consumed plastics in China next year.

Photography: Ove Töpfer.

Liao also noted a change in the interest of the market towards the ABS, alluding to the consumption of ABS is increased due to its use in small office equipment and transportation applications. There was also a sharp increase in the consumption of ABS in the manufacture of pipes, medical equipment and polymer alloys.

Chinese machinery wins recognition

China enjoys a productive year for its industry of machinery plastic, with a total volume reaching approximately 736.900 tonnes, up to 26, 29 per cent.

The most commonly used machines include machines, extrusion machines, injectors-blowing and moulding of hollow bodies. All of them have experienced a substantial increase in units (39,000 sets of machines, a growth of 65.4 per cent more) and the export value (820 million dollars, up 51.9 per cent per annum).

Liao pointed out that many of the suppliers of machinery in China have been actively involved in international fairs of plastic. "With its growing popularity in supply quality machines, china machinery suppliers receive many requests from other countries," he said.

Photography: Nitesh Bhundia.

Opportunities

It is estimated that domestic demand will continue to grow in 2008. Expected a positive impact of the Beijing Olympics, in the month of August, who contributed to the growth of the market for organic plastics, especially plastic products.

In conclusion, plastics are used by the Chinese manufacturers in many disciplines, including packaging, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, telecommunications, sports, medical equipment, toys, etc.