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The unsaturated polyester resin industry is mature and largely dependent on general economic conditions; consumption growth will be highest in Central and Eastern Europe with an average annual growth rate of 5.7% for 2004–2009 (on a moderate base) and in Other Asia (excluding Japan) with a growth rate of 5.0% for 2004–2009 (on a very large base). In Japan, unsaturated polyester resin consumption will decline by an average of 1.4% per year during 2004–2009.
The North American market, with three producers representing 70% of total capacity, is relatively concentrated, while the Western European market has four producers accounting for 68% of total regional capacity. The Japanese industry is composed of four major producers, accounting for 74% of total capacity.
Sales in the primary end-use markets for unsaturated polyester resin—construction, automotive and marine—depend on the performance of the general economy and unsaturated polyester resin consumption tends to swing dramatically with any change in gross domestic product (GDP).
The following graph shows world supply/demand for unsaturated polyester resins as a percentage of the world total:
The world’s five largest producers are Ashland, Reichhold, AOC, Total and DSM, representing almost 40% of world capacity.
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