Why complicate things when you can make them simple? Colorants and flavors for beverages are often not directly mixed with water and prefabricated, ready-to-use syrup concentrates are used instead. In the production of plastics, too, so-called masterbatches – granules with a high concentration of colorants, other additives, or fillers – are preferred to powders, pastes, or liquid additives. A wide variety of additives can be combined, for example stabilizers, antioxidants, antistatics, or flame retardants. Ceresana is now publishing the second, completely revised edition of its market study on masterbatches: the global demand for plastic masterbatches is expected to rise to almost 4.5 million tonnes by 2027.

White Sun Protection and Bright Colors

The top-selling type of masterbatch is currently white masterbatches. Global demand for this type has increased by an average of 2.1% p.a. over the last eight years. The most important product is titanium dioxide (TiO2): the plastics industry uses these white pigments to color toys, electrical appliances, automotive parts, furniture, and plastic films on a large scale. Titanium dioxide also absorbs UV rays and thus protects against harmful solar radiation. Color masterbatches with e.g. colorful inorganic, organic, and effect pigments follow in second place. The color black is usually achieved by using carbon black. It is often used for conductive packaging, films, fibers, molds, pipes, and cables. Another well-known end product is waste bags. Carbon Black offers many advantages in plastic applications, especially for technical polymers: it is very resistant to color changes and fading - even under extreme outdoor conditions.

Packaging Manufacturers are Main Customers

The demand for masterbatches follows the global market for plastics: the most important end applications are packaging, construction materials, transportation, electrical products and electronics, as well as other industrial goods. Packaging constituted the largest sales market in 2019, accounting for 36% of total demand. The construction industry ranked second by a considerable margin, followed by the segments industry and transportation. The category packaging includes all masterbatches for flexible plastic packaging, such as films, bags, and sacks, and for rigid packaging, e.g. yogurt cups, cans, bottles, and lids.

The Study in Brief:

Chapter 1 provides an overview and analysis of the global market for plastic masterbatches – including forecasts up to 2027: the development of demand and revenues is examined for each region of the world. Demand is broken down into the different types of masterbatches: white, black, color, and additive masterbatches. The different application areas are also examined separately: packaging, construction industry, transportation, electrical goods and electronics, industry, and other applications.
Chapter 2 examines the 16 most important countries individually. The study presents demand per country, demand per type of masterbatch, as well as revenues. Demand is also analyzed according to the individual application areas.
Chapter 3 offers a useful list of the 52 most important producers of plastic masterbatches. It is clearly arranged according to contact data, revenues, profit, product portfolio, production facilities, and profile summary.
Further information: www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/plastics/masterbatches/


About Ceresana
As one of the world's leading market research institutes, Ceresana is specialized in the segments chemicals, plastics, packaging, and industrial goods. Companies have been benefiting from our high-quality industry analyses and forecasts since 2002. More than 180 market studies provide more than 10,000 customers around the world with the knowledge base for their sustainable success.
Find more information about Ceresana at www.ceresana.com