Jun 2 2010
The specialty chemical industry experienced a severe dip in production and profitability starting in late 2008 and continuing through 2009. All global regions experienced a downturn, with China least affected due to the huge Chinese government stimulus package. Today SRI Consulting (SRIC) published its 2010 Overview of the Specialty Chemicals Industry, an annual comprehensive study of the global specialty chemicals markets.
The report identifies faster growing segments with reasonable market size including specialty films, printed circuit boards, IC process chemicals, engineering thermoplastics, and construction chemicals. High growth segments with smaller market size include mining chemicals, emission control catalysts, and high-performance thermoplastics.
Lead author and Vice President Ralf Gubler commented, “One of the fastest growing specialty chemical segments is specialty films, as it represents a segment with high growth potential but still with reasonable market size.” Mr. Gubler continued, “The highest growth is expected to occur for specialty films used in electrical, electronic, and optical applications.”
The specialty chemicals industry was valued at $393 billion in 2009. By market value, the North American market accounted for 27% of global specialty chemicals consumption, followed by Western Europe with 24%. An overall volume-based annual average growth rate of 3.4% is forecasted over the next 5 years through 2014, with the fastest growing regions being China and Other Asia (excluding Japan).