Consumption by
End-Use Sector
Packaging
Packaging was still the largest consumer of plastics in 2003,
accounting for 14 764 000 tonnes, or 37.2 per cent of all
plastics consumed. Packaging saw a 1.3 per cent growth in
consumption rates between 2002 and 2003 despite the economic
downturn. This is because plastics remain the material of choice
for packaging, increasingly substituting other more traditional
materials because they are lightweight, flexible and easy to
process. Continuing technological development by the plastics
industry means todays broad family of plastics continue to do
more with less, helping to save valuable resources. In fact,
although over 50 per cent of all Europes goods are packaged in
plastics, by weight these plastics account for only 17 per cent
of all packaging.
Building & Construction
The building and construction (B&C) industry uses plastics
for a range of applications from insulation to piping, window
frames to interior design. It is plastics durability, strength,
resistance to corrosion, low maintenance and aesthetically
pleasing finish that ensures their continued popularity in the
sector. This is reflected in the data showing that, despite the
economic downturn, B&C consumed 7 350 000 tonnes of plastics in
2003 and accounted for 18.5 per cent of total plastics
consumption in Western Europe, making it the third largest user
after the packaging and domestic sectors. The relatively low, two
per cent, industry growth in plastics consumption between 2002
and 2003 is indicative of the negative impact of the broader
economic recession and reduced house building.
Electrical & Electronic
Despite the global economic downturn electrical and
electronic (E&E) plastics consumption rose 3.4 per cent to 3 360
000 tonnes in 2003, compared to 3 250 000 tonnes in 2002. This
confirms plastics as an indispensable material for the E&E
sector. It is a fact that many of todays new technical
developments capitalise on the latest types of new generation
plastics � as a result, devices are becoming smaller and lighter.
This means that while the amount of E&E applications continues to
increase, the weight of plastics used in each unit, as in
packaging, decreases. This is a fine example of plastics doing
more with less resources.
Automotive
The demands of the automotive industry are a challenge for
todays designers. The solution to balancing high performance,
competitive pricing, style and reliability with comfort, safety,
fuel efficiency and minimal environmental impact, often lies in a
new generation of lightweight plastics. This is reflected in the
volume of plastics being used in the automotive sector. The
automotive sector defied the stagnant economic climate and saw
relatively high growth rates between 2002 and 2003 � 5.7 per
cent. The volume of plastics consumed by the automotive sector
reached 3 170 000 tonnes, or eight per cent of total plastics
applications in 2003. Plastics are in the vanguard of new
automotive innovation, with designs such as Daimler Benzs Smart
car and the development of lightweight fuel cells among the
examples of the lightweight material playing an essential role in
the future of the automotive sector and energy efficiency. In
fact, it is estimated that plastics lightweight contributes to a
10 per cent per year reduction in passenger car fuel consumption
across Europe.
Agriculture
Agricultural plastics account for 1.9 per cent, 744 000
tonnes, of the total plastics consumed in Europe in 2003. Despite
there being no growth in this sector between 2002 and 2003, they
continue to play a pivotal role. Plastics-based agricultural
irrigation and drainage systems provide effective solutions for
crop growing. For example, in arid regions, plastics piping and
drainage systems can cut irrigation costs by one to two thirds
while as much as doubling crop yield.
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