UHMWPE - 2008 Study

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Opportunities In Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

An Analysis of Business Opportunities in the Production and Marketing of UHMW-PE

PROSPECTUS FOR A MULTICLIENT STUDY AUTHORED BY STA*Research AND PUBLISHED BY  EnerChem Tek, Inc.

UHMW-PE is a polyolefin resin closely related to high density polyethylene that can be classed as a specialty engineering plastic. It is an indispensable product in world markets having an incomparable combination of abrasion resistance, surface lubricity and impact strength, combined with the excellent chemical properties of HDPE. It competes primarily with polyacetal, nylon, PTFE and, in fiber form, with polyaramid, but it also has many markets that are uniquely its own.

As global HDPE markets trend toward commoditization, HDPE producers must strive to find new strategies to differentiate their products and maintain overall net margins. Because the technology to make UHMW-PE is closely related to that for making HDPE, UHMW-PE becomes a potential avenue to the creation of new niche markets that will contribute to improved overall profitability. There are several challenges in supply of UHMW-PE, however, including the creation and servicing of UHMW-PE markets, product design, and the match to market needs.

This report analyses the global UHMW-PE industry with the objectives of defining new business opportunities for new and existing suppliers. It covers both market and technological aspects, including:

Global demand and market outlook by application sector and processing technique

Global supply by producer and plant, including producer profiles & apparent strategies

Production technology and production economics, including reviews of recent patent literature

Review of developments in product and application technologies, including emerging technologies

Industry structure and distribution channels

Key factors for success in supply of UHMW-PE

  

DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • Introduction
  • Industry Outlook
    • Market drivers & demand growth
    • Market restraints
    • Global supply & supply/demand balance
  • Competitive Environment & Strategic Initiatives
    • Globalization
    • Differentiation
    • Cost structure
    • New entrants
  • Developments in Technology
    • Production technology
    • Conversion & application technologies
    • Speculative new product & market scenario
  • Opportunity Forecast & Profit Potential
  • Key Factors for Success

UHMW-PE DEFINITION AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

  •  Viscosity/Molecular Weight Conventions
  • Defining Performance Characteristics
  • MW, MWD & Performance Relationships
  • General Chemical & Physical Properties
    •  
      • Table 1 - Typical Average Physical Properties of HDPE and UHMW-PE
      •  Figure 1 - Relative Volumetric Wear of Various Materials
      • Table 2 - Impact Strength Of UHMW-PE Compared To Engineering Plastics
  • Overview of current commercial offerings


UHMW-PE COST STRUCTURE & MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

  • Basic Manufacturing Technology
    • Process description & flow scheme
    • Catalysis
    • Operating modes
    • Process economics
  • Production Variation Analysis
    • Production scale effects
    • Coproduction with conventional HDPE
    • Partial de-ashing
      • Table 5 - Requirements for Medical Grade UHMW-PE Powders
  • Product Variation Analysis
    • MW effects: EHMW vs. UHMW
    • Morphology & particle size control
      • Production of ultra-fine powders
    • Multicomponent & grafted products
    • Crosslinked products
    • Compounds: filled & conductive
    • UHMW-PE as an additive in ETPs & elastomers
  • Speculative future technology developments
    • Production technology - Patent review & analysis
    • Conversion & application technologies - Patent review & analysis
    • New product & market development scenario - Time scale & ultimate market size
  • Market Service Costs
  • Implied Profitability Potential


PROCESSING OF UHMW-PE & DEVELOPMENTS IN CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY

  • Compression Molding
  • Ram Extrusion
  • Direct Compression Molding
  • Ultra-High Pressure Annealing
  • Fiber Gel-Spinning
  • Injection Molding
  • Tube Extrusion
  • Machining Of Consolidated UHMW-PE
  • Forming And Joining
  • Post-Treatment & Compounding


MARKET APPLICATIONS & GLOBAL DEMAND FOR UHMW-PE

  • Global Demand By Major Application
    •  
      • Table 4 - Typical Applications For UHMW-PE
      • Figure 3 - Global Demand For UHMW-PE By Application
    • Compression Moldings
    • Extruded Rods & Profiles
    • Moldings & Shaped Components
    • Fibers
    • Porous Structures
  • Global Demand By Region
  • Demand Growth Projections
    •  
      • Figure 4 - Global Demand For UHMW-PE By Region


GLOBAL SUPPLY/DEMAND & KEY PLAYERS

  • Global Production Capacity
    •  
      • Table 6 - Global Production Capacity For UHMW-PE
  • Global Supply/Demand Projection
    •  
      • Figure 5 - Global Supply/Demand For UHMW-PE
  • Profiles of Key Industry Players - Product offerings & apparent strategies
    • Beijing No2 Auxiliary Agent Factory (BAAF)
    • Braskem (former Polialden unit)
    • DSM
    • ........etc.

For more information, please visit the EnerChem Tek web-site or contact us at staresearch@juno.com (949) 600-6546 or mdavila@enerchemtek.com (416) 232-0320