Wood-Plastic Composites: Technologies and Global Markets

Report Highlights

The global market for wood-plastic composites (WPCs), cellulosic plastics, plastic lumber and natural fiber composites was valued at 2.8 million metric tons in 2013. This market is expected to increase from nearly 3.1 million metric tons in 2014 to 5.6 million metric tons in 2019, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% for the five-year period, 2014 to 2019.

Report Includes

• An overview of the global market for wood-plastic composites.
• Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2011 through 2013, estimates for 2014, and projections of CAGRs through 2019.
• Coverage of the applications for these products including building products (decking, fencing, windows and doors, and others), automotive, infrastructure and other consumer and industrial products.
• Analyses of technologies employed, production (e.g., compounding, injection molding, extrusion), use of additives (colorants, lubricants, coupling agents, and UV stabilizers), requisite properties required for each application, costs and pricing, marketing, distribution, product standards and testing, and competitive company strategies.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study covers the history, current status and forecast scenario for four major products: wood-plastic composites (WPCs), plastic lumber, cellulosic plastics and natural fiber composites. Their four major applications are: building products, automotive, infrastructure and other consumer/industrial products. The building products segment is further analyzed by its major components, as related to these products, namely decking; fencing/windows and doors; and other.

In addition, the study further segments these markets by key resins such as polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene within each application and whether these resins are being used as plastic lumber or WPCs.

Other critical issues included in detail are technologies, production (e.g., compounding, injection molding, extrusion), use of additives (colorants, lubricants, coupling agents and UV stabilizers), requisite properties required for each application, costs and pricing, marketing, competitive company strategies, distribution, product standards and testing, and the claims and counter-claims of companies producing these products.

Analyst Credentials

Jason Chen has been an analyst and consultant for the polymer, composite, fiber, textile and energy industries for 18 years. He works as a researcher, writer and/or editor for the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), China Textile Academy (CTA), China Chemical Fiber Association (CCFA), International Fiber Journal, Filtration News, Platts Emission Daily, Vision Systems Design, Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News and MobileTex. Currently he is the chief scientist of a company endeavoring to reduce China's air and water pollution. He has a degree in Civil Engineering, Chemicals and Advanced Materials from Shantou University.