Injection moulding in Germany outperforms other EU markets, says AMI
Polymer demand for injection moulding has grown at less than 1%/year on average in the five year period between 2007 and 2012.
Although not exactly a stellar performance, it has outperformed most other European markets, said AMI.
German injection moulding demand recovered strongly after a collapse in output equivalent to nearly 200,000 tonnes of polymer demand in 2009 following the global financial crisis.
Recovery drivers
The recovery has been driven by a pickup in manufacturing exports, particularly its automotive industries which are a key sector for the injection moulding industry.
Polymer demand for injection moulding in Germany in 2012 was led by polypropylene (44%) and followed by polyethylene (16%) and others (16%).
The lowest demand came from polyamide (9%) and polystyrene (6%).
Germany generates over a quarter of all injection moulding activity within the EU and is home to many of Europe's leading companies.
In terms of polymer purchases the largest moulders are involved in packaging and include Artenius (APPE) and Alpla for PET preforms; Global Closure Systems and Bericap for closures; RPC, Jokey Plastic and Groku for PP containers and pails; and Schoeller Allibert for crates and transit packaging.
This information shows that over 80% of companies listed process polypropylene resins (the most widely used material) and over half have some involvement in supplying to the automotive industry.
Price of competitiveness
Meanwhile, the German plastics packaging producers are currently paying a high price to maintain their competitiveness, said IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V.
The trade association said experts already assume that the price spiral will continue to turn up next year and the EEG-allocation may then go up to above seven cent/per kilowatt hour.
Costs for the increase of the EEG allocation this year alone are in the six-digit range for medium-sized companies and is draining the funds for investments.
Ulf Kelterborn, IK managing director, said: "The current concept of the energy policy turnaround with its mad costs for industry and consumers that have run out of control must be stopped at once.
“Else, a number of medium-sized businesses will be unable to maintain their production in Germany. Already, larger companies are thinking about leaving."
