Resumen de Market quest for innovative composites driving industry growth
Fast-growing demand for speciality composite materials offering improved weight profile and durability from sectors as diverse as automotive, energy and electronics is creating encouraging business opportunities for producers, as innovation remains crucial, Covestro told IM London.
German-headquartered polymers and composites maker Covestro recorded almost double-digit growth in core volumes in the first quarter of 2017 on the back of fast-rising demand for innovative materials from end markets such as automotive and renewables.
The Q1 performance - described as "exceptional" by chairman and CEO Patrick Thomas at a meeting with IM in London in June - is down to widespread appetite for component materials that manufacturers can rely on to achieve improved durability, longer life cycles and functionality of their products.
A variety of industrial minerals are used in the production of composites, including borates, nitrates, salt, soda ash, quartz, kaolin, speciality and silica sand, among others.
