Published June 2022
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is the largest-volume engineering thermoplastic resin, offering an excellent balance of heat, chemical, and impact resistance with superior processing versatility. Large-volume applications for ABS resins include appliance parts, electrical/electronic, and transportation (automotive) end uses. ABS resins are frequently used in polymer blends for many different applications to achieve the best of all properties from the combined product.
Mainland China continues to drive the ABS resin market, with more than one-third of global capacity and more than half of global consumption in 2019. The migration of the manufacturing of electronic/electrical, appliances, and other markets to mainland China over the years has resulted in increased ABS demand in the country. The appliance and electrical/electronics markets in mainland China will continue to grow as the middle class population grows, since this emerging group purchases more durable goods that use ABS resins.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of ABS resins in 2021:
Mainland Chinese demand for ABS resins has expanded over the years and continues to drive global capacity for the product. The next five years also look promising in terms of demand. Western Europe, the United States, and Japan are mature economies, exhibiting slower annual growth rates over the next five years. Consumption will continue to be led by Northeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent through the forecast period.
Mainland China is expected to account for the majority of the additional consumption in 2024; the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia are also expected to have strong growth.
Northeast Asia is the largest importer and exporter of ABS resins in the world. Exports in the region are led by South Korea and Taiwan. The main importing economy is mainland China, which was the recipient of most Northeast Asian imports in 2021. In the next five years, as mainland Chinese demand increases, Asian exports directed toward the West will remain relatively unchanged.
Over the last decade, North America and Europe have seen some consolidation and capacity rationalization as demand growth has slowed. The number of producers in the Asian market has also increased, resulting in a more competitive market.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Resins is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Resins has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.
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