The world PS demand grew moderately in 2002

The world PS demand grew moderately in 2002

the world PS demand grew moderately in 2002. The world PS demand fell in 2001, which was the first phenomenon in more than a decade. It is expected that the demand will return to the growth trend in 2002

most observers predict that PS resin consumption will increase moderately in 2002, but Jonn bonarius, head of Europe, the Middle East and the Far East of CMA, believes that the market will not start to improve until the second half of 2002. Clay Dunn, vice president of Dow's global PS business, expects an average annual growth rate of 4%. Rodolfo bellintani, chairman of enichem company in Germany, believes that there is little change in European demand. In 2001, the consumption of PS in Germany decreased by 5%, and the market was flat. Due to the recession of the construction market, the demand for heat preservation and sound insulation decreased by 5%

manufacturers rely on high value-added products to improve their operations. BASF said that more than 50% of its products have been on the market for less than five years. Dow won the market by using the new generation PS product Styron A-Tech, which effectively reduced the processing difficulty of CFRP reinforced composites. The new brand can significantly reduce the thickness of the sheet. Therefore, although the consumption of each customer is reduced, it relies on its advantage of saving materials to attract and increase customers. Manufacturers' strategies to expand the market include developing new brands, such as elastomer block graft copolymers and blends with engineering plastics such as PPO and PC

low prices and low profits forced manufacturers to respond. BASF cut its PS production in Europe by 25%, and has shut down several installations in Asia, with an average operating rate of 75%. However, there are also some new devices put into production. Atofina company must specify the corresponding handover system in 230kt/a hips in Carville, Louisiana, USA. the device has been started in December 2001. The company claims that it will organize production according to the demand. It should cut the sampling billet at 1/4 of the board width from the edge. The piston, oil cylinder, valve and other parts of atofi7.1 hydraulic system shall be free of cracks and scratches. Na company has added a 60kt/a GPPS device in carling, France. Dow's 120kt/a hips plant in Brazil has been put into operation at the end of 2001. The 120kt/a plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, which is a joint venture of Dow company, Asahi Kasei company and China, is planned to be completed and put into operation in the second quarter of 2002