Injection Molding Opportunities in Wood-Plastic Composites Expected to Reach $300 Million According to Principia Partners
EXTON, PA, September 9, 2003/- Wood-plastic composites (WPC) demand reached 1.3 million lb valued at $750 million in 2002
with virtually all materials consumed in extrusions. Now, injection molding applications are ready to take off in a similar fashion.
This is an emerging business opportunity for over 10,000+ injection molders in North America. Today, injection molded
WPC parts account for $15 million, or 2% of the dollar value for the WPC industry. By 2007, injection molding of WPCs
is projected to reach nearly $300 million, or roughly 20 times its current size.
Engineers and designers are finding new ways to mold WPC compounds into quality parts for such large-volume plastic consuming
markets as appliance, automotive, consumer, and packaging uses, among others.
Jim Morton, Senior Partner, says, "it's relatively easy for injection molders to move from traditional plastic injection molding
to WPC injection molding. Injection molded WPC compound will begin replacing mineral-filled and glass-reinforced compounds ranging
from vinyl and polypropylene to engineered thermoplastics." The opportunity appears large to the current main players in the WPC
industry. Companies are currently pursuing R&D with natural fibers such as alpha cellulose, kenaf, even rice hulls for injection molded WPCs.
Principia is excited about conducting the industry's first study focused on injection molding for natural and wood-plastic composites
in North America. Mr. Morton explains, "it's time for the industry to leverage the market momentum and success of the extrusion side
of the WPC business and extend this to the injection molding community."
The new report titled Injection Molding Opportunities in Natural & Wood Plastic Composites 2004 extends beyond Principia's
well-established expertise in WPCs to include the Firm's core strength in polymer compounding and injection molding markets.
Principia will provide insightful information and analyses about such key issues as:
- Extension of the technology from extrusion to injection molding applications
- Unmet market needs solved through WPC injection molding
- Technical and commercial hurdles to overcome
- Developing markets/applications for injection molded WPCs
- Threat to traditional fillers and reinforcements in compounded plastics
- Rate of likely adoption for molded WPC parts
This new report is prepared by consultants from Principia's professional staff who have monitored the business development activities
in the dynamic and growing synthetic wood market since the business was first established over ten years ago.
Principia Partners is an international business consulting firm serving the building products, plastics, packaging, metals, and specialty
chemicals industries. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.PrincipiaConsulting.com. For a brochure on the completed
study, call Jim Morton at 484-459-2239.
SOURCE: Principia Partners
Media contact:
Principia Partners
Jim Morton
800/378-8330 ext. 239 (U.S. only) or 484/459-2239
JMorton@PrincipiaConsulting.com
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