PlasticsWatch
Equipment Finance Industry Confidence Higher in November
The November 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) from the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation reports a qualitative assessment of the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the US$900 billion equipment finance sector. Confidence in the equipment finance market is 64.6, an increase from the October index of 61.1. Other results include:

  • When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 34.6 percent of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, up from 25.9 percent in October. 46.2 percent believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, down from 70.4 percent the previous month. 19.2 percent believe business conditions will worsen, up from 3.7 percent in October.
  • 42.3 percent of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase over the next four months, up from 22.2 percent in October. 50 percent believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month time period, a decrease from 74.1 percent the previous month. 7.7 percent believe demand will decline, up from 3.7 in October.
  • 26.9 percent of the respondents expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, up from 14.8 percent in October. 73.1 percent of executives indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, a decrease from 85.2 percent last month. None expect “less” access to capital, unchanged from the previous month.
  • When asked, 53.9 percent of the executives report they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, up from 40.7 percent in October. 46.2 percent expect no change in headcount over the next four months, a decrease from 59.3 percent last month. None expect to hire fewer employees, unchanged from October.
  • 15.4 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” an increase from 7.4 percent the previous month. 80.8 percent of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” down from 81.5 percent in October. 3.9 percent evaluate it as “poor,” down from 11.1 percent last month.
  • 23.1 percent of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, an increase from 22.2 percent in October. 57.7 percent indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, a decrease from 63 percent from last month. 19.2 percent believe economic conditions in the United States will worsen over the next six months, up from 14.8 percent the previous month.
  • In November, 42.3 percent of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, down slightly from 42.9 percent the previous month. 57.7 percent believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, up slightly from 57.1 percent in October. None believe there will be a decrease in spending, unchanged from last month.

Survey results are posted on www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/monthly-confidence-index/.

Growth opportunities in global silicone
Global demand for silicones is forecast to rise 7.1 percent per year to US$22.0 billion, equivalent to 2.9 million metric tons in 2025, according to the Global Silicones study from the Freedonia Group. While every major market for silicones is expected to grow in both value and volume terms, the study finds some markets are projected to experience above average growth:

  • A strong rebound in motor vehicle and other transportation equipment production, and the use of more advanced and technologically sophisticated components, is projected to promote the use of silicones in instrument panels and other sensors in both developed and developing countries.
  • Increasing tablets and smartphone production, in particular in the Asia/Pacific region, is projected to support silicone demand in the electronic products market.
  • Aging populations will support increased sales of medical devices, prosthetics and medical adhesives that use silicones.

Global silicone market increases through 2025 will come off a depressed base in 2020, as the silicone industry was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales growth will be supported by accelerations in building construction activity and manufacturing output — where silicones are used in a variety of applications — and increasing personal incomes, which will boost demand for products that incorporate silicones. In addition, greater uptake of silicones in the transportation, electronic products and healthcare markets will support gains. Global Silicones examines the global market for silicones by product, market, function and world region. Historical data for 2010, 2015 and 2020 and forecasts for 2025 and 2030 are provided for silicone demand in current dollars for each of the products, markets and function. Volume data (in metric tons) are also provided for each country and region, as well as for each market and product at the global level. www.freedoniagroup.com.

Antimicrobial plastics market global forecast to 2026
Global Antimicrobial Plastic Market diagram
The Global Antimicrobial Plastic Market is estimated to be US$21.89 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$34.07 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 9.25 percent according to a study by Research and Markets. The major factors such as the expanding popularity of antibacterial polymer packaging, particularly in the medicine, healthcare and food industries, as well as rising concerns about the avoidance of contamination risk in medical equipment, are likely to drive demand for antimicrobial plastics. Furthermore, increased disposable income and rising standard of life are factors encouraging individuals in emerging nations to spend on illness prevention and personal well-being, resulting in the market growth of antimicrobial plastic. In addition, the rise of the popular eco-friendly idea of construction microbial biotechnology, which employs low-cost, sustainable and microbial cement, grouts, polysaccharides and bioplastics, is projected to provide substantial growth opportunities for the global antimicrobial plastic market. However, the fluctuating raw material price and strict government controls on the use of plastics are anticipated to restrain and create challenges for the market growth.

The report includes an analysis of the market, including parent industry, market dynamics and trends, market segmentation, historical, current and projected size of the market based on value and volume, market shares and strategies of key players, recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market. www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5397314/global-antimicrobial-plastic-market-2021-2026.