International
. Global demand for emulsion polymers will increase by about 5.2% a year to reach 12.8 million metric tons in 2014, according to a study published by The Freedonia Group, Inc.
According to the firm, profits will be driven by growing global demand for latex polymers used in the manufacture of water-based paints, coatings and adhesives. This, because countries such as China and India have tried to replace solvent-based coatings and adhesives, which will continue to drive the demand for water emulsions in coatings.
The Latin American market, on the other hand, has entered a positive trend as revealed to INPRA LATINA, Franco Faldini, Marketing Director for Latin America of Dow Coatings Materials. "In 2009 there was a sharp drop in countries such as Mexico and Argentina; however, the previous year the market recovered but the strong consumption in Asia may generate an increase in the prices and costs of raw materials for the production of emulsions".
Thus, growth expectations are very positive for the region. "Events such as the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 will result in an increase in paint consumption, which in turn will translate into an increase in emulsion volumes," Faldini added.
However, while demand for emulsion polymers has historically been concentrated in developed regions of North America and Western Europe, the Pacific region of Asia has grown considerably to become the largest consumer, and much of this growth has been driven by the Chinese market, which has almost quadrupled in recent years and will continue to do so in the future. according to the study.
