JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007 - 16

BUSINESS Market survey: China * The UPR market in China in 2006 According to statistics recently released by the China UPR Industry Association and the FRP Specialized Academy of Jiangsu Province Silicate Academy, Chinese production of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) amounted to 1.15 million metric tons in 2006. This is up 22% over the previous year, and the highest growth since 2000. UPR exports reached 26,000 tons and imports, 94,000 tons. Total 2006 market consumption in China was 1.22 million tons. ZHAO HONGHAN, CHINA UPR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION institutes to scientific and technological innovation has boosted FRP and composite development there. A dynamic market UPR’s fast growth in China during 2006 is the result of brisk demand in the FRP and composite markets, both domestic and foreign. The economic construction of China is benefiting from the rapidly climbing export demand, which is due to a number of things: the country’s stable political situation; its interest rate policy, high deposit interest rate, and rich human resources; the introduction of new technology; a new prosperity, and the development of the global economy. In 2006, the Chinese production of glass fibre reached 1.16 million tons, of which 0.83 million tons were exported to various countries. Exports to South East Asia accounted for 30% of the total. As a result, glass fibre supply cannot meet the demand of the domestic industry. There is also strong demand from abroad for processed UPR products for a variety of Application Artificial Artefacts Buttons segment stone Volume 200 150 60 n 2006, the five provinces and two municipalities that are located on the south-eastern coast of China produced 1.10 million tons of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), equivalent to 95.6% of China’s total domestic production. The Jiangsu Province continues to lead for production volume, with 42.6% of the total. Shanghai and Jiangsu play a very important role in this industry in terms of brands, variety and quality of UPR. They boast technologically advanced state-owned enterprises such as Tianma, Feilong and Huachang, and also outstanding and flourishing private companies such as Yabang, Tianhe and Fuling. Both places are also home to companies like Eternal, Swancor and Showa, which have a brand advantage in the Southeast Asia UPR market, and to the manufacturing branches in China of famous international companies such as DSM, Ashland, and DIC. The Yangtze River Delta area has always played a leading role in the Chinese composite industry. The contribution of the area’s many colleges and research I high-volume applications that include artefacts, artificial marbles, buttons, boats, vehicle parts, tanks and pipes, gratings, cooling towers, SMC doors, electrical-insulation parts, electrical poles, sports equipment, SMC semifinished products, etc. It is estimated that the exports account for 35% of China’s total FRP and composite output. In order to meet the demand, many enterprises have taken on foreign designers and domestic high-tech personnel to strengthen their competitive edge in the international market. In 2006, many new applications for these materials began to appear, due to the flourishing development of various sectors of the national economy and a better understanding and utilization of FRP and composites. This led to a surge in the corresponding Chinese domestic market. New-product development in turn triggered the development of various types of processing techniques and a growing use of automated processes. Coatings, Sub- Percentage Putties Flooring marble glues Total of total 50 10 30 500 43.5% UPR volumes in non-reinforced applications in 2006 (unit: ktons) Application Filament segment winding Volume 150 SMC 20 BMC 40 Pultrusion 40 Continuous HLU and Sub- Percentage panels SU Total of total 20 380 650 56.5% UPR volumes in reinforced applications in 2006 (unit: ktons) JEC Composites Magazine / No35 September 2007

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #35 - September 2007

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