vol. 19, No. T, Page 11

ducers may manufacture specific grades or become involved via acquisitions, etc.

FIBRE REINFORMED PLASTICS IN W. EBR0PE

development of new high-tech fibres and processing methods will support a 30% increase in the EEC market for fibre-reinforced plastics over the next five years, according to a new market study researched and written in Europe by Frost & Sullivan Ltd.

Though continuing to be dominated by products made with glass fibre, the industry will be able to penetrate high-performance and specialty market segments due to the introduction of car- bon/graphite, aramid and other exotic fibres. Spreading use of the pultrusion process, which keeps orientation during curing, will also contribute to the growth in total sales from under $2,3 billion in 1987 to, over $3 billion in 1992 (in constant 'I987 US dollars), says the 352 page report, "The market for fibre reinforced plastics in the EEC."

While thermosetting resins will continue to account for the bulk of the industry's matrices, thermoplastics are expected to find increasing use in applications where resistance to high tempera- tures is not critical. Substantial growth is also foreseen at the top end of the market for advanced composites such as epox- ies and phenolics reinforced with carbon, aramid and high grade glass fibre,much of which is destined for aerospace applications.

The reinforced thermoplastics market is dominated by West Germany, which accounts for about 45% of volume. Above average growth over the 1987-92 period of about 10% per annum is forecast for reinforced polyolefins, which increasingly are used as a cheaper alternative to engineering plastics. Frost & Sullivan notes that high performance materials with high temperature resistance, such as the polyimides, polyethersulphones, and polyetherether- ketones, are finding increasing application.

AERCXXK FUND REL&XSE AGENTS

Mould release agents were exempted when CFC's were banned in the US in 1978 in most other aerosols. However I the environ- mental pressures will require these mould release agents to use alternative propellants. Since the cost of CFC's is likely ta increase dramatically as production levels are reduced, aerosol manufacturers are responding with CFC-free release agents that contain either the latest CFC alternatives or water- or solvent- based products. Non-aerosol external release agents are another alternative, although several of these products contain some CFC-I.13 as a solvent carrier. A still further alternative to avoid all question of solvents, CFC's and the limitations of water-based products,is to use 100% active internal release agent additives, but these often do not completely eliminate the need for external release application.

ADDITIVES FOR

POLYMERS

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