International 
. Global demand for plasticizers is projected to grow by more than 7.6 million metric tons per year through 2018, according to a new market study by Ceresana.
While Ceresena expects this input in North America and Western Europe to only see below-average growth in the future, demand in other regions such as Brazil, Russia and India will increase by more than 4% per year. The Asia Pacific region is the largest market for this input and China maintains the top position with a share of around more than two-thirds.
"Plasticizers are among the best-selling chemicals. Demand for these will jump by more than 7.6 million metric tons through 2018," said Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana Research.
Demand in the adhesives, paints and rubber industries is increasing faster, even than the plastics sector, products that contain more than 40% plasticizers in their manufacturing.
The study also indicates that during 2010, the market was dominated by phthalate plasticizers, which will increasingly be replaced by other plasticizers in the coming years; due to legal issues and growing environmental awareness, producers will be forced not to use them. In North America, alternative plasticizers have a 30% share as of 2010.
