[317 Pages Report] The styrenics polymers consumption is estimated to be 35,007 kilotons in 2013 and will grow by 4.81% annually till 2018. The increasing demand of styrenics polymers in Asia-Pacific, especially in China, and growth in end-user applications such as construction and automotive industry are key factors driving the global styrenic polymers market.

Polystyrene (PS) is the major polymer which is largely consumed, followed by Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Properties of PS and EPS make it suitable for a wide variety of applications such as construction, packaging, consumer goods, etc. Automotive industry is the major consumer of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) particularly in tire manufacturing. Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) has its applications in pipes & tanks, marine accessories, wind energy, etc.

Asia-Pacific is driving the styrenics polymers market contributing more than 50% of the global demand. The other drivers include high growth in wind energy applications of UPR and increased SBR demand due to tire labeling regulations. Due to cost and performance advantages, UPR is widely used in the manufacturing of wind blades, rotors, ventilators, etc., thus ensuring high growth in wind energy applications. Similarly, tire labeling regulations, being adopted by different countries such as Germany, Japan, etc., has led to an increased SBR demand worldwide, especially in the automobile industry.

Increasing environmental and health concerns due to usage of styrene and acceptance of other resins as substitute to Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) were identified as major restraints. At present, their impact on the market is relatively high. However, emerging economies and innovations in products will create growth opportunities for styrenics polymers in the near future.

Companies producing or planning to produce styrenics polymers in the near future are opting for expansion by introducing new facilities and increase in capacity. The styrenic polymers market is a highly diversified market consisting of different types of polymers, each having wide range of applications. Due to this, there are large numbers of players operating in the market engaged in the manufacturing of different styrene-based products for different applications.

The report covers the global styrenics polymers market in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World under major types of polymers such as Polystyrene (PS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), etc. Market estimations have been provided in terms of consumption volume (kilotons) and market revenue ($million). The styrenics polymers have also been segmented by their respective applications.

For this report, various secondary sources such as chemical magazines, encyclopedia, directories, technical handbooks, company annual reports, industry association publications, articles, trade websites, and databases have been referred to identify and collect information useful for this extensive commercial study. The primary sources � experts from related industries and suppliers � have been interviewed to obtain and verify critical information as well as to assess the future prospects and market estimations.

This report analyzes various marketing trends and establishes the most effective growth strategy in the market. It identifies market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, burning issues, and winning imperatives. Major companies such as BASF (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Lanxess AG (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Total S.A. (France), etc. have also been profiled in this report.

Scope of the report:

On the basis of polymer types:

Polystyrene (PS)

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR)

Other Polymers

On the basis of applications:

The styrenics polymers market consists of different types of polymers each having different applications. Some of the major applications are building & construction, packaging, automotive, appliances, marine accessories, wind energy, etc.

On the basis of geography:

Asia-Pacific

Europe

North America

ROW

The global market is witnessing high growth on account of the emerging construction and packaging industry. This has resulted from increasing demand for infrastructure facilities and consumer goods, especially in regions such as the Asia-Pacific.

Styrenics Market Share, by Geography, 2012

Source: MarketsandMarkets Analysis

The styrenics market is a diversified market with large number of players operating in different regions. Polystyrene (PS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), and Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) are the main styrenics showing high growth potential. Other polymers such as Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Styrene Butadiene Latex (SBL), etc. have limited applications and are set to record a lower growth rate.

Styrene is highly volatile and when exposed, can be hazardous causing irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system problems, dizziness, nervous system depression, etc. On incomplete combustion, it produces carbon monoxide and emits hazardous vapors on decomposition. The styrene-based polymers are non-biodegradable and need to be burned which can increase the explosion risks. These environmental and health concerns are the major restraints for market. However, absence of competitive substitutes which can replace styrenics is motivating the companies to continuously invest in this market.

Asia-Pacific is identified as the largest market as well as the highest growing in the next five years among all the regional markets. Europe and North America accounted for the second and the third largest markets respectively for styrenics consumption.

The growing demand for styrenics has prompted many companies to expand their production capacities so as to improve their market shares. Thus, most of the companies are focused on expansion as their major growth strategy. The other growth opportunities such as new product developments, agreements, and collaborations are also adopted for intensifying the penetration in market. Major players in this market are BASF (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Lanxess AG (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), and Total S.A. (France).