Consumer Packaging Trends Spur Growth for Plastics and Copolymers

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) copolymer and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) producers are enjoying the trend of consumers' preferences for food packaging and food containers increasingly moving away from metal and glass to plastics. Producers of PET and EVOH resins are planning several large expansions in the U.S. that will increase their production capacity to meet a market demand that is estimated to grow at near double digits for the next few years.

Currently there are only two producers of EVOH located in the United States and both are located in Texas. Industrialinfo.com began tracking expansion plans for EVOH at both sites totaling nearly $100 million in 1999 and by late 2005 there could be as much as 35,000 metric tons per year of new capacity online if these projects are approved. Several PET expansions are also in the design phase totaling over $60 million representing new capacity for the market by late 2004 if construction schedules remain on target.

As consumers continue to demand the safest and most reliable food packaging products ranging from single user containers to films for meat and perishable products, these two market sectors will continue to enjoy healthy growth.