New Study of European Markets for Fillers and their Surface Modifiers for Polymer Applications

Plastics Information Direct, the technical publishing division of Applied Market Information Ltd., has just published a techno-economic study entitled Fillers and Their Surface Modifiers for Polymer Applications. Commissioned and published in their Expert Witness Series, this entirely new report has been written by Roger Rothon, an independent consultant with more than 30 years experience in filler production, modification and application.

Fillers are defined in this report as small particles (under 100 micron) used at high loadings. Economic data in the report covers a period from 2002 to 2007, and refers primarily to European markets.

The report has been written to provide decision makers with an understanding of the fillers industry and its main markets in plastics and rubbers. Whilst the term filler might initially suggest cheap bulking materials, fillers are essential components of many polymeric products, and the fillers market is both complex and valuable (2.3 billion Euros in Europe in 2007). Fillers can be natural or synthetic products and they vary widely in price and application. Some fillers require surface modifiers for effective use, and others impart essential properties such as fire retardancy. Interestingly however, the choice of a filler is often determined not by chemical composition but by factors such as particle size, shape and hardness.

Fillers are used in all three major categories of polymers (thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers) and this report is unusual in that it looks at all three sectors. Thus it will be of interest to specialists in any field, particularly if they require a broader perspective from time to time. Whilst technical details have been kept to a minimum the report provides clear definitions of the different classes of fillers and modifiers, and the reasons why they are used.

Materials used as fillers in polymers are often used in much greater volumes in other industry sectors, such as paper and ceramics, and the report may also be of interest to companies supplying these other industries and seeking new markets.
Environmental concerns are also impacting filler markets at all levels in the supply chain, from mining to recyclability, and the report raises a number of key issues which may create threats or opportunities for the future.

The report provides extensive market data and analysis, broken down by filler type, application area and polymer type. Suppliers of fillers and modifiers are also listed, and references are given to useful sources of further information.

Fillers and Their Surface Modifiers for Polymer Applications by R.N. Rothon is available in A4 soft-backed format, with 110 pages, priced at €510.00 or £350.00 or $735.00 (plus delivery). It can be ordered online from http://www.pidbooks.com, or from the publications department at Applied Market Information Ltd, AMI House, 45-47 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QP, United Kingdom, Telephone: +44 (0)117 924 9442, Fax: +44 (0)117 989 2128, Email: pidbooks@amiplastics.com.